Northern Suburbs Football Association, residents clash ahead of decision on grandstand plans

The chief executive of one of Sydney’s largest sporting clubs says a major upgrade of its home ground is in jeopardy after facing fresh opposition from residents and environment groups.

A decision is looming on the multimillion dollar facility.

The chief executive of one of Sydney’s largest sporting clubs says a major upgrade of its home ground is in jeopardy after facing fresh opposition from residents and environment groups.

Northern Suburbs Football Association chief executive Kevin Johnson has responded to community concerns about the development of a new “home of football” at North Turramurra Recreation Area.

The long-planned project includes a new 300-seat spectator grandstand to accommodate the association’s 17,000 junior and senior players.

The $4.9m facility also includes new changing rooms, lighting and landscaping works, a cafe, a press and corporate box, offices and amenities. Current playfields would also be upgraded.

A concept image of the grandstand.

But there are calls for the project to be scrapped due to concerns including the environmental impacts, traffic congestion, noise and potential financial risks for Ku-ring-gai Council.

Multiple residents and members of community groups, including the North Turramurra Action Group, attended a meeting last week to put their objections to Ku-ring-gai Council.

A photo of the location of the development at North Turramurra Recreation Area.

Councillor Cedric Spencer is now pushing for the council to overturn its support for the project due to the “considerable risks of cost overruns and ongoing maintenance and operational costs” the council could bear.

Mr Spencer will also use this month’s council meeting to call for all negotiations with Northern Suburbs Football Association to be “ceased”.

Mr Johnson – who was appointed as the football’s association chief executive last year – said scrapping the project could put the club’s senior development pathways at risk.

“The Northern Tigers are our representative arm of our association and Football NSW are starting to enforce licensing requirements for grandstand seating and without it we won’t be able to play in the higher level leagues,” he said.

Kevin Johnson.

“To have sheltered seating and change rooms we think is essential because at the moment the lack of facilities means we have female players who are having to get changed in their cars.

“It will be funded by our association and it’s not going to cost the council anything for the build or maintenance.

“I understand there are people who live close to the ground who don’t want it but there are also thousands of residents who recognise the benefits.

“I think people hear the word ‘grandstand’ and think it’s a stadium like Olympic Park, which we don’t agree with. Unfortunately I think there has been a bit of scaremongering.

“We’re already using it at maximum capacity and not going to be entering any new competitions so the usage will remain the same.”

A concept image of the development.

Residents attending a public meeting last week raised concerns over governance matters relating to state government grants awarded to the development, as well as operational impacts of the grandstand.

Christine Drake – a member of the North Turramurra Action Group – said the community’s concerns have been highlighted by a petition signed by more than 2700 residents opposing the development.

“The only reason they need a grandstand is so they can have professional games and we object to that on what should be community land,” she said.

“When you consider the financial risks for ratepayers, it should not be developed for a single-use sporting group when we also have other sporting groups like netball and cricket crying out for playing facilities.

Turramurra resident Christine Drake.

“The plan would bring 32,000 people on Bobbin Head Rd every year in a high risk fire area with an inadequate bushfire evacuation plan.

“The noise from the sporting facility is already a source of complaint every weekend for people living opposite. We’ve got 12 aged care facilities within 500m of the site including one directly opposite who are all going to be impacted by the development in a negative way.

“We don't object to the football association having a development, it’s just in the wrong place.”

Ku-ring-gai Council had previously supported progressing the development, with a council report stating the proposal was “not driven by financial outcomes, but rather the economic, social and environmental value offered to the community, including the health benefits for players through increased activity and recreational outcomes”.

Councillors are due to debate the project at a meeting on June 20.