Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts, Council CEO Dr Clare Allen and President of the NSW Touch Football Association, Dean Russell, met to discuss the Tuffins Lane Port Macquarie sporting precinct this afternoon.
Mayor Roberts said Council's progress towards the development of a longer-term plan to see the sporting precinct enhanced to retain and attract wherever possible, larger sporting tournaments that would add value to the region's economy, but also support local sporting clubs and their junior and senior sportspeople.
It was acknowledged at the meeting that the Tuffins Lane Sporting Fields and associated infrastructure were generally categorised as 'in need of enhancement' if Port Macquarie was to be considered an ongoing option for attracting and retaining larger sporting events such as the NSW State Cup Touch Football tournaments.
The meeting topics covered Council's work to-date in purchasing the Tuffins Lane Sporting Fields, the Council's investment in fast-tracking detailed analysis on drainage options for the site and a discussion around the need for an investment of approximately $3.5 million to make improvements to the drainage systems around the precinct.
Mayor Roberts has recently approached the Federal Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan, to request his support for helping attract Australian Government funding assistance to help deliver drainage upgrades to the site.
"I gave a commitment to Mr Russell that I would raise the subject of short-term embellishments to the playing fields and amenities updates with councillors as part of the 2025/2026 budget discussions," Mayor Roberts said.
"I undertook to keep Mr Russell updated with any feedback as it comes to hand, and I thank him and NSW Touch Football Association for their long-term support of Port Macquarie as a preferred sporting destination.
"I very much look forward to advancing discussions on how we can work together to retain this event in our local area for the long term."
