Bright future for Broulee’s Captain Oldrey Park

Eurobodalla Council has approved a new masterplan outlining $3.4 million worth of future improvements to Broulee’s Captain Oldrey Park.

The masterplan is the culmination of extensive collaboration between Council’s recreation team, user groups, and the wider community. Its aim is to provide a quality outdoor multi-sport and community venue that can host regular sporting events and recreation opportunities for all to enjoy.

Actions include refurbishing playing fields, upgrading lighting, installing fencing between the courts and fields and the road, renovating the amenities building, erecting new wayfinding signage and improving car parking, access and safety.

As the park is used as a regional netball facility, the masterplan outlines a range of improvements to cater for the sport’s growth. The six bitumen netball courts will be replaced with eight synthetic courts, two of which will be under cover and lit to competition standard.

Council has already secured grant funding of $353,700 from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund to contribute to improvements to the amenities building and will pursue further funding opportunities as they arise to implement the masterplan.

Council’s Recreation Services Manager Mark Upson said that in developing the masterplan, Council brought together various user groups to openly discuss key opportunities and agree on a way forward.

“We’ve received great feedback and support from a range of user groups about the masterplan, including Netball NSW,” he said.

“A number of suggestions were taken on board to ensure the final plan best reflected everyone’s needs.”

At Tuesday’s council meeting councillors acknowledged the importance of the Bangalay Sand Forest to the Broulee community, and Mr Upson moved to reassure residents that the majority of existing vegetation on the site would be retained under this plan.

“We hope to see more people enjoying the bushland within the park by working with the local Broulee Mossy Point Dunecare group and Broulee Public School to establish an accessible trail through trees on the site, and installing parkland seating and picnic settings where appropriate,” he said.

“The plan indicates there is space for a third playing field should future demand be evidenced, however it also takes into account requests from the community that off-site options be investigated for any additional sports fields.”