St John’s Dubbo proposes new sports facilities

A renowned Dubbo private school which has birthed multiple NSW Blues legends including Matt Burton and Isaah Yeo has submitted a proposal for a major expansion to their sports facilities.

St John’s College, Dubbo, is a successful rugby league nursery.

A renowned elite rugby league nursery in central western NSW is proposing to invest more than half a million dollars in an amenities block to support plans for expanded future sports grounds.

The proposed development at St John’s College Dubbo was submitted to Dubbo Regional Council, involving the construction and operation of a school sports amenities building with change room facilities to support future adjoining sporting ovals.

The proposal includes plans for a canteen and change rooms to further cater for future sports playing fields.

It is costed at roughly $587,600, according to the development application.

A notable alumnus of St John’s College Dubbo is Australian Kangaroos captain, NSW Blues player and Penrith Panthers four-time premiership winner Isaah Yeo, who was awarded the 2024 International Rugby League Player of the Year award.

St John’s College, Dubbo.

He graduated from St Johns College in 2012.

Another notable alumnus is fellow Australian international, NSW Blues player and 2021 Dally M Centre of the Year, Matt Burton.

Isaah Yeo. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Burton plays for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and graduated from St John’s College in Dubbo in 2018.

He had played his junior rugby league for St John’s before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.

Yeo and Burton played throughout high school alongside each other in the same junior rugby league teams at St John’s College.

The site is 3km southeast from Dubbo CBD and will be used largely for educational and sporting purposes.

Matt Burton. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The proposed development states that it will “provide a new school sports amenities building facility (to support future sports ovals) which is of high-quality design and finish which shall enhance the amenity of the area,” the statement of environmental effects reads.

“The proposal is considered positive in terms of social and economic impacts in that it shall create employment opportunities during the construction phase and improved conditions for education.”

The Site at St John’s College in Dubbo where the amenities will be constructed.

The developments are within a residential zoned area on the eastern outskirts of the Dubbo locality.

The existing area is devoid of any vegetation and the proposed development is not expected to increase the bushfire risk.

It is expected that the construction will not impact the level of noise and volume of traffic as it “should not deviate greatly from the existing school located onsite”.

“All walls visible from the street have been designed to enhance visual interest, incorporating a variety of finishes and openings to create appeal and ensure a smooth integration with the existing streetscape,” the statement reads.

The proposal is now before Dubbo Regional Council for consideration.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]