Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen: Call for urgent funding to fix closed, ‘unsafe’ athletics track

Community calls have ramped up for funds to repair and reopen a popular Sydney athletics track that’s been closed to runners for more than a year.

The synthetic athletics track at the NSW Government's Sydney Academy of Sport on Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen, has been closed since December 2023. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Local MPs have joined the athletics community to lobby for public funding to speed up the reopening of the damaged running track at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen.

The 400m track has been out of action since December 2023, forcing elite athletes to train elsewhere and Little Athletics meets and school carnivals to be relocated or cancelled.

It was closed by authorities when it became “unsafe for use” after massive “bubbles” appeared and its surface became loose due to water seepage under the track.

Although the NSW Office of Sport set up a temporary 400m, 6-lane track on football ovals at the Academy, dozens of school athletics carnivals had to reorganise their events.

About 800 athletes who used the Academy track have been forced to travel as far as the Central Coast to train.

The synthetic athletics track at the NSW Government's Sydney Academy of Sport was declared “unsafe” after damage to the track surface. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Now a push is on by local independent state and federal MPs to secure government funding to get the track reopened as soon as possible.

State MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby and Wakehurst MP Michael Regan have contacted NSW Premier Chris Minns to include priority funding to fix the track in the next NSW State Budget, to be delivered in June.

The synthetic track at the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen in February 2024.

The independent federal MP for Mackellar Sophie Scamps, who represented Australia as an 800m runner at the World Junior Games, has been lobbying federal Sport Minister Anika Wells for money.

The call for cash comes even though an insurance claim for track damage from flooding has been settled. The MPs argue that despite any insurance payout, a gap in funding to return it to a quality track, would remain.

The synthetic athletics track at the NSW Government's Sydney Academy of Sport on Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen, is closed for repairs. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Ms Scruby said there had been no public commitment of funds, a project plan or timeline released for the remediation of the track.

“The lack of progress on remediation is frustrating for everyone,” she said.

Mr Regan said the community deserved certainty and confidence about when and how the track will be fixed.

Event like the Little Athletics Regional Championships are not able to be held at the Sydney Academy of Sport athletics track. Picture: Troy Snook

“We urgently need a funding allocation, a project plan, and a timeline,” he said.

“With the 2028 (Olympics) and our own Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, maintaining world class facilities must be a top priority.”

Dr Scamps said the track should be “attracting the world’s best athletes to train at Narrabeen”.

“Instead all we have to offer them is a temporary grass track,” she said.

NSW MPs Jacqui Scruby (Pittwater) and Michael Regan (Wakehurst), with federal MP Sophie Scamps (Mackellar) and Manly Little Athletics president, Andrew Jauncey and Athletics NSW CEO, Christian Renford, with young athletes on the closed Sydney Academy of Sport athletics track. Picture: Supplied

Manly Warringah Little Athletics president Andrew Jauncey said that it, and other organisations, were looking for a timeline for reopening.

“While athletics is growing in popularity across NSW, we are seeing a drop off in our numbers,” he said.

“Access to the synthetic track is sorely missed.”

Athletics NSW CEO, Christian Renford, said it was the only synthetic track in Sydney, north of the Harbour.

“The loss of even a single major venue creates a ripple effect that disrupts competition schedules, impacts athlete development, and undermines the sport’s future,” he said.

An Office of Sport spokesman said it had investigated the cause of the damage and was currently considering options to repair and reopen the track.

It found that the bubbling, or lifting, of the track surface was likely caused by water entering the pavement and a build-up of vapour pressure below the impermeable synthetic surface.

“The Office of Sport has engaged significantly with the athletics community and key stakeholders regarding track repair and reopening options, including holding a track design workshop in December, 2024,” the spokesman said.

“(Its) priority is providing the athletics community with a safe and accessible track that aims to minimise the impacts of floodwater and inundation, and remains committed to working with the athletics community and key stakeholders throughout this process.”