SPORTS FIELDS AND PARKLAND

Great improvements continue in the sporting fields and parks of Division 1.  Over recent years, funding as follows has been achieved:

ORMEAU SPORTS PARK

More recently Council has entered into an infrastructure agreement with Stockland for the development of the Ormeau Sports Park. This park on the corner of Tillyroen Road and Upper Ormeau Road will be home to the Ormeau Bulldogs AFL Club and will feature two full size AFL fields, netball courts and ultimately a skate park. Work to the value of $5m will be undertaken by Stockland to develop the fields and I have been successful in attracting $160,000 in Whole of City funding towards the development of the clubhouse facilities. The AFL is presently considering partnering with Council on this project to ensure that the clubhouse facilities are ready for the 2013 AFL Season.

VINEY PARK

Work valued at $60,000 to bring recycled water to Viney Park is imminent. You may have noticed the additional street plantings in the centre median outside Viney Park on Dreamworld Parkway which have added a little more green to the streetscape.

DAVID ARBON PARK

The cricket pitch at David Arbon Park is still settling before active sports can be undertaken. The park still requires upgrade because there is significant weed which does not yet allow an even playing surface. Council officers will continue to work on the area and a multi purpose field is still proposed for this park. Council has also passed a Resolution requiring the CEO to investigate the purchase of additional land at Yatala to develop regional sporting and recreational facilities for the growing community.

PIMPAMA SPORTS FIELDS

The development of "Arrowtown" to the west of the M1 on Rifle Range Road at Pimpama will see more regional sporting facilities for residents. The plans are very exciting and it is hoped that development can be fast tracked through the establishment of an infrastructure agreement with the developer. This enables infrastructure charges payable to Council to be offset by works undertaken by the developer and is an effective way of getting the necessary facilities way sooner than would be achievable through competing for whole of city funds at budget time.

LEASH FREE DOG EXERCISE AREAS

There are several within Division 1 including 3 fully fenced areas at Jacob Court Reserve, Gannon Way Upper Coomera, Maidenwell Road Jacobs Ridge Estate and Vennor Drive Ormeau. Exercise equipment for dogs is soon to be installed at Vennor Drive, along with seating for pet owners. This is proving a really popular area for residents and pets. There is also a large fenced leash free area adjacent to the Coomera Watersports Club just south of the Coomera River.

JACOBS WELL SKATE PARK

It's great to see the youth of Jacobs Well taking great pride in the new skate facilities adjacent to the tennis courts at Jacobs Well. Congratulations to everyone involved in this joint initiative where the Community Assosication and kids of the area raised funds to install the base and the ramps were funded through the Division 1 budget. A real success story for the area and one I hope can be repeated in other communities.