The City of Newcastle has unveiled draft plans for a brand-new sporting precinct at Creek Road, Maryland, marking the first district-level sports facility to be built from the ground up in over two decades.
The concept masterplan outlines a five-hectare site that could include up to four multi-use fields, a dual-facing grandstand with changerooms, public amenities, car parking, enclosed cricket nets, spectator seating, shared paths and outdoor fitness stations.
The project would form part of a larger 30-hectare site that also includes wetlands and natural areas.
The development has been welcomed as a landmark investment for the city’s booming western suburbs, where populations in Fletcher, Maryland, Minmi and Wallsend have surged by around 50 per cent over the past decade.
The precinct is intended to meet growing demand for sporting facilities while also enhancing local green space for both active and passive recreation.
City of Newcastle emphasised that the project represents a rare opportunity, noting it has been decades since a district-level sporting facility was delivered on a completely undeveloped site.
Councillors highlighted the importance of community involvement, with many local groups already providing input to shape the draft masterplan.
The facility is expected to be delivered in stages over the next five to ten years, supported by government funding and external partnerships.
Future investigations may also explore developing the northern section of the site, potentially providing even more opportunities for the area’s sporting clubs and associations.
The Creek Road Sporting Precinct draft masterplan is now on public exhibition until 5pm, Tuesday 14 October. Community members can view the plans and make submissions via the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle’s website.
