A new master plan has been approved to transform Kiama Sport Complex. Photo: Region Illawarra.
Kiama Council has decided on the final master plan for its major sports complex but has warned the community that it will require funding “far beyond” what council can provide.
After a lengthy process and extensive community consultation, the master plan for Kiama Sports Complex was adopted at a recent council meeting.
Three options were provided for community feedback in mid-2025. The master plan was amended in light of that feedback, with council staff recommending adoption of an amended Option 3.
One of the major changes was to retain the skatepark at the complex. Of the 177 submissions received on the master plan, 95 per cent were against removing or relocating it.
The plan does propose moving it to the west of the Leisure Centre to make way for an athletics track, but council’s meeting was told that it would remain “at least” the same size as the current skate park.
The new master plan also responded to criticisms about lack of parking, proposing a multi-deck carpark with 99 spaces per level, increasing the overall parking capacity to about 410 spaces.
The plan proposes:
- Reconstruction of the Leisure Centre in its current location
- Removal of the skatepark and grandstand to allow the athletics track to move slightly to the west
- Skatepark located to the west of the Leisure Centre
- Construction of a double-sided grandstand to include amenities and storage to be located between the athletics track and football/cricket fields
- Rotation of the cricket nets to limit ball run-off
- Construction of eight netball courts over existing parking in the middle of the site
- Construction of a shared two-storey clubhouse central to the site
- Addition of a small playground between the grandstand building and the clubhouse
- Multi-deck car parking with 99 spaces per level
- Lighting
- Landscaping.
The report to council made it clear that the aim of the master plan was to provide council and the community with a strategic approach to future development of the site.
“There is a risk that the master plan creates an expectation for immediate funding which cannot be realised,” the report said.
“It is imperative to note that the master plan requires funding far beyond what Kiama Municipal Council can provide and may require staging, grant funding from State and Federal governments or private investment.”
Mayor Cameron McDonald told the meeting he had taken advantage of the Community Cabinet meeting in Kiama that morning to raise the master plan – and the “significant [price] tag that came with it” – with NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper.
In approving the master plan, councillors also agreed for council to actively pursue funding opportunities as they arose from other levels of government, “noting that the plan may require staging and will take considerable time to be realised”.
