The Hills Shire Council has launched a petition urging the NSW Government to finance the construction of 40 new sports fields to cater to the burgeoning demand and support the growing population in the region. This initiative is part of the “Fight for a Fairer Hills Future” campaign, emphasizing the critical need for additional sporting facilities.
Mayor Michelle Byrne highlighted the adverse impact of the current shortage of sports fields on community well-being and participation in local sports, stressing the importance of urgent investment to accommodate the projected influx of 140,000 residents in the next decade. The inadequacy of sporting infrastructure has compelled some teams to play outside their area due to the lack of suitable facilities.
Cricket, in particular, has been severely affected, with clubs facing challenges in securing appropriate grounds for matches. The Box Hill Bears, a newly established club, are under significant pressure as they struggle with limited field availability, leading to a portion of their teams playing home matches in distant locations like Carlingford and Parramatta.
Similarly, football in The Hills is grappling with a surge in participation, especially among female players, which has exacerbated the strain on existing fields. The General Manager of Hills Football, Charlotte Ercil, emphasized the need for more fields to accommodate the growing number of players, coaches, and volunteers seeking opportunities to engage in the sport.
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Mayor Byrne cautioned that the lack of investment in community-level infrastructure could jeopardize elite sporting pathways in the region, potentially hindering the development of young athletes and undermining the attractiveness of The Hills as a sporting hub.
To address the pressing need for additional sports fields and essential infrastructure upgrades, the Council has initiated the Fight for a Fairer Hills Future campaign, advocating for a comprehensive investment plan that includes the construction of 40 new sports fields, 45 road upgrades, 14 schools, and the elimination of a $207 million infrastructure deficit in Box Hill.
While progress has been made in securing partial funding for 31 new fields, nine crucial fields in various locations within The Hills Shire remain unfunded. An e-petition has been launched to gather public support for the cause, with nearly 11,000 signatures collected thus far. The Council aims to reach 20,000 signatures to prompt a parliamentary debate on these critical issues.
The campaign underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts between local government and the NSW Government to address the infrastructure challenges posed by rapid population growth. By investing in sports fields and essential amenities, the authorities can ensure that residents have access to vital recreational facilities and maintain the region’s quality of life amidst ongoing development.
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