Project update

The Smith Park Masterplan has now been finalised and endorsed. View the final Masterplan, or read the Engagement Report to find out what we heard during public exhibition.

As part of the CN Strategic Sports Plan (SSP) 2020, a number of recommendations were made relating to Smith Park, Hamilton including the development of a masterplan to guide the future vision and renewal of infrastructure over the next 10-15 years.

Specific recommendations from the SSP included: optimising the field layout and improving provisions for cricket, football and touch football/OzTag, upgrades to amenities and lighting improvements. The Newcastle Junior Cricket Association has been successful in receiving over $2.5 million in grant funding under the Multi Sport Community Facility Fund 2021/22.

CN has prepared a Masterplan for Smith Park in consultation with local sporting user groups to ensure that the proposed works are consistent with the long term vision of the park and meet the needs of all user groups. The Masterplan will be implemented in stages over a 10 year period with approved grant funding works being implemented as Stage 1 in the 2023-24 financial year.

The Masterplan aims to develop a staged and flexible multi-use precinct to meet the recreation and sporting needs of the surrounding community, and enhance the visitor experience for players, officials and spectators.

• Realignment of football, Oz Tag and Cricket fields to meet relevant field of play dimensions and increase capacity to 9 full size Oz Tag fields, 3 senior football fields, 2 junior soccer fields and 3 senior cricket fields
• Installation of drainage and irrigation*
• Realignment of new synthetic cricket wickets
• Installation of lighting to meet relevant Australian Standards
• Amenities upgrade to include gender neutral facilities
• Extension of the existing cricket practice wickets to a 5-lane facility
• Multipurpose half court

*part of Stage 1 Grant funded works

Note: Stage 1 works are subject to grant funding requirements and deadlines, and will commence as soon as practical.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Masterplan. Read the Engagement Report to find out what we heard.

The Smith Park Masterplan was endorsed by CN's Sports Infrastructure Working Party on 19 February 2024, and a Councillor Workshop was held on 12 March 2024.

Key changes to the Masterplan

As a result of feedback received during public exhibition, the following changes were made:

• Reduced the size of the multipurpose court to a half sized court
• An additional two training cricket lanes west of the existing facility
• Additional bike racks
• Space provided for the potential extension of the car park
• Provision for a disabled car space along Boreas Road
• The number of trees proposed along Parkside Avenue have been reduced to accommodate changes to field layouts
• The existing water fountain will be retained, with additional bubblers provided within the park
• A new net along Boreas Road
• Re-alignment of the sport field layout to align with the proposed Stage 1 works.