NSW Rugby's plans for more junior events at David Phillips Oval, Daceyville rejected after backlash

In another knock to the sport following a dismal World Cup campaign, NSW Rugby Union has failed in a bid to host junior events at a suburban field after local backlash.

NSW Rugby Union wanted to use David Phillips Field in Daceyville to hold 12 public games with a maximum 400 spectators on the playing field adjacent to the NSW Rugby Centre of Excellence building. Picture: Julian Andrews

In another blow to the sport of rugby union following a dismal World Cup campaign, a bid to hold suburban games at a Sydney oval has been knocked back.

NSW Rugby Union has failed in its attempts to use David Phillips Field in Daceyville to hold up to 12 events annually with a maximum 400 spectators on the playing field adjacent to the NSW Rugby Centre of Excellence building.

Ten loudspeakers were also proposed to be used to make announcements such as match information – including welcoming teams to the field, scoring, and safety messages – with no music to be played during a 15-month trial.

The proposed games were not premier, Super Rugby or first grade matches but rather matches associated with pathway programs for the sport and intended for junior or amateur players.

The events would include single or multiple games for one or more days during the year such as trial matches or school championships; and were not proposed to coincide with previously approved rugby training on the site.

A game played at Daceyville oval. Picture: Julian Andrews

The proposal was originally refused in April and NSW Rugby Union requested a review of the decision, which occurred this week with Bayside Planning Panel again refusing the application after hearing from residents.

The panel refused the application because of the likely traffic and carparking issues which could impact the local road network and residential amenity of the location; the negative acoustic impacts, insufficient plan of management and did not consider the proposal was in the “public interest”.

Under 19’s Rugby Championship played at Daceyville. Generic picture: Julian Andrews

A residential aged care facility, church, school, and low density residential houses are located nearby the field.

During the meeting, resident Amanda Wilson said locals cared deeply about their community and were worried about the additional traffic, noise and the “booming” announcements across the oval.

She said the proposal would “destroy” the unique character of Daceyville.

Affected neighbour Stephen Duncan said parking would be an issue for residents, some of whom did have off-street parking.

“They are talking about 400 people coming to the games, they are all going to be driving around looking for parking spots that don’t exist,” he said. “It is going to create absolute traffic havoc.

Picture: Julian Andrews

Mr Duncan also said he could already hear the noise from training sessions, which he lived with because the facility has been there for a long time, but he did not want to see it increase.

“I’m not sure why they need speakers when they are relatively minor games,” he said.

NSW Rugby CEO Paul Doorn also spoke at the meeting and said the organisation, which had a long-term contract at the field, was a part of the community.

He said the organisation had worked to address community’s concerns, noting they were not “developers” but rather responsible for managing a community game.

“All we are seeking is to use an existing, private recreational facility for its historical purpose as a sporting facility for 12 events throughout the year with a maximum capacity of 400 people.” Mr Doorn said.

He said the games would not be ticketed for elite, professional, high profile Waratahs games but rather junior pathway or suburban rugby games usually attended by parents watching their children play.

“That is why we are confident of the limited impact it will have on the community,” Mr Doorn said.