newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie City Council has secured $4.6 million in federal funding to upgrade Barton 1 Field and build a new Maude Street entrance at Belmont Sports Complex.
The funding will support an upgraded playing surface, drainage and irrigation systems, fencing, pathways and landscaping at Barton 1 Field. The new entrance will include an access road, signage, parking and pedestrian paths.
Detailed design is scheduled for 2026-27. Council expects construction of Barton 1 Field in 2027-28, while the Maude Street entrance is planned for 2028-29.
The grant comes through the Australian Government’s Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program. Council has separately allocated $1.7 million for development of future stages.
The next stage follows work completed in March, which included graded sporting fields, amenities buildings and netball courts.
The funded works form part of about $20 million in future upgrades identified in the master plan for the Belmont Sports Complex redevelopment. Further stages include additional sporting fields, practice facilities, parking upgrades, a central promenade and new amenities for Barton 1 Field.
“Once fully realised, Belmont Sports Complex will be capable of supporting larger regional competitions while continuing to meet the needs of local sporting clubs and the broader community,” Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said.
The Belmont allocation is the largest of seven grants listed for the Shortland electorate under the program, totalling $6.195 million.
John Balcomb Oval at Dudley has been allocated $420,000 for lighting design and upgrades. Lighting upgrades at Lisle Carr Oval in Whitebridge, Jack Edwards Oval in Argenton and Cardiff Netball Courts have each been allocated $275,000.
The funding also includes $220,000 for drainage upgrades at Windale Junior Rugby League Club and $130,000 for seating upgrades at Charlestown Netball.
