Have your say on northside sports precinct revamp

Plans are being made to reshape one of Brisbane’s biggest — and busiest — sports precincts. Thousands of parents and players make the trip here every weekend. Want more parking? | HAVE YOUR SAY

Enoggera Creek Sports and Recreation Precinct plan area, which is about to be the subject of a revamp. PICTURE: Brisbane City Council

PLANS are being made to reshape one of Brisbane’s biggest — and busiest — sports precincts.

Brisbane City Council has called for residents to submit their ideas for a revamp of the Enoggera Creek Sport and Recreational Precinct Plan, at Windsor, Wilston and Newmarket.

The plan incorporates a vast swath of parkland from Northey St Park to Spencer Park, including sporting facilities for baseball, cricket, rugby, hockey, soccer, netball and tennis as well as the Northey Street City Farm.

A new park is also proposed directly north of Northey St Park, on land used most weekends for carparking by the thousands of people participating in nearby club netball, hockey and softball fixtures.

SOFTBALL: Queensland under-19 girl's softball titles held at the Brisbane Softball Association grounds at Downey Park. Sunday October 1, 2017. (AAP image, John Gass) Gracyn Va'a hits at the ball for Logan City vs Far North Qld/Noosa on Diamond 3

When asked what the Downey Park Netball Association would like to see in the plans, club president Michelle Prado said the chief concern was parking.

“On Saturdays, we have about 4500 people playing netball between 8am and 5pm, so parking is a premium,” Ms Prado said. “Sometimes we have people driving around for 45 minutes to an hour looking for a car park.

“We would be overjoyed, over the moon, if we could have something in place by (next season).”

She said the association had raised the prospect of shaded courts.

Northey Street City Farm Education Team Manager Veronica Martin said the organisation would make a detailed submission to council.

“We like the current quiet green area (of the precinct) as a balance to the intensity of the Valley and the CBD,” she said. “If more activities are planned there will be a need for more parking, or more frequent bus services.

NETBALL: Alicia Nystrom from Canons Rebels Netball Club and Jenaya Graham from Valleys in action during the Downey Park Netball Association semi-final match between Valleys Netball Club and Canons Rebels Netball Club at the Downey Park Netball Association in Brisbane, Saturday, July 29, 2017. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

“The weekend bus services along Northey St could be more frequent.”

A community consultation session will be held 9am, Saturday at McCook Park, Newmarket. Residents have until December 2 to comment.

Local Councillor Andrew Wines said in a statement that “community feedback will be carefully considered as part of the planning and concept design process”.

“Enoggera Creek is a great place to live, play and relax and Council is committed to ensuring it can continue to be enjoyed for future generations,” Cr Wines said.

“With the support of the Federal Government, Council will soon be able to commence work on the Enoggera Creek Sport and Recreation Precinct Plan with the help of insight from the local community.

Northey Street City Farm

“Community feedback plays an important role in shaping the future of our suburbs and Council will also be taking on board previous feedback from local residents to inform key features of the plan.”

In the statement, Cr Wines said the precinct plan would guide future development and management of the popular precinct, and would include the design of a new sports and community park along Northey Street, Windsor.

“Brisbane is a clean, green and sustainable city and the Enoggera Creek Sport and Recreation will help drive investment and boost the vibrancy of the local lifestyle hub,” he said.

An information session will be held tomorrow (Saturday, November 3), 8-10am at McCook Park (corner of Edmondstone and Finsbury Streets) in Newmarket.

He said the Enoggera Creek Sport and Recreation Precinct Plan will be jointly funded by Brisbane City Council and the Federal Government. No changes are proposed in relation to the Northey Street City Farm.

For more information, contact Council on 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for the ‘Enoggera Creek precinct plan’.

SCORECARD:

Enoggera Creek

Sport and Recreation Precinct

■ Windsor, Wilston and Newmarket

■ From Enoggera Creek — Newmarket Rd; Enoggera Rd — Lutwyche Rd

■ 10 parks

■ 11 sports and community organisations

■ Sports include baseball, softball, cricket, rugby, soccer, hockey, tennis, netball, table tennis

■ Includes Northey Street City Farm

TABLE TENNIS: one of the sports in the precinct.