Kiama Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters is calling on the NSW Government, the Opposition, and all candidates at the upcoming by-election to step up now, commit funding, and give the community the sporting infrastructure it deserves.

Cr Matters, who is the Councillor delegate to the Kiama District Sports Association, is fed up with higher levels of government neglecting the local area and said the dire situation about sporting facilities needed urgent attention.

She said it was emblematic of a lack of infrastructure upgrades in the region.

“Look at our sewerage works, it's outdated, it doesn't cope now,” she told The Bugle, speaking as a Councillor, not on behalf of Council.

“We deserve our fair share here. And it's about time that we got down and we worked hard with State Government to fix a lot of these areas.

“While I was pleased Premier Minns visited the seat of Kiama today (on Thursday), I was disappointed that it has taken a by-election for him to take a 50-minute drive down the highway from his electorate.

“For reasons I understand, Minns has refused to take questions from the previous Member for Kiama, only accepting questions on notice, in writing, then the Member would get an answer at a later date.

“Minns is elected to represent the whole state and all communities.To only see him turn up to support Labor in this by-election and only have a phone conversation with Mayor Cameron McDonald is less than satisfactory .

“The Kiama community deserves better and more engagement with our elected officials from the Minns government to our elected Mayor.”

Council is hoping to undertake a total revamp of the outdated Kiama Sporting Complex, which is likely to cost more than $100 million, and significant funding will be required from state and federal governments.

“Our kids deserve better than cracked netball courts, flooded fields, broken lighting, and roads running through playing areas,” Cr Matters said.

“They deserve safe, modern facilities, not to be getting changed in car parks because there’s nowhere else.”

There are 18 sporting groups, representing more than 5500 members, most of them female athletes, who use the Kiama Sports Complex.

“The amenities and the sporting fields have been not updated since the early 1980s,” Cr Mattters added.

“We've just passed our Housing Strategy and we're looking forward to working with State Government to make sure we get all the infrastructure that we deserve in our community.

“We're a big sporting town and we can't fit everybody in. We need infrastructure, we need lights, we need better sheds, we need all that. And that's not just this ground.

“We need more than to have just one football oval basically in each town, especially in the major areas like Kiama and Gerringong. We're dealing with 45-year-old infrastructure.

“The netballers have got a road running through the middle of their courts. How outdated is that? Imagine the parents on edge up there when their kids are playing.

‘We deserve our fair share. I think we're going to be planning 30-50 years ahead.

“All the local sporting groups work really well together. But we need serious help.

“Communities like Bomaderry and Albion Park have fields with proper drainage, irrigation, floodlighting, and modern amenities, they can play all year round.

“Meanwhile, here in Kiama, our players and clubs are stuck making do with outdated facilities and a lack of investment, or with cancellations and away games as our fields lack drainage and irrigation.”

The Kiama District Sports Association, which was established nearly 50 years ago, has been campaigning, fundraising and contributing to consultations.

The Federal Government funded the development of masterplans for the Kiama Sports Complex, which has helped create the roadmap to the future and Cr Matters said it now needs serious investment.

“We have the plans, the designs, the volunteers, and the local knowledge. And we’re more than ready to get started,” Cr Matters said.

Cr Matters is now inviting NSW Premier Chris Minns, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, and any candidate seeking to represent the Kiama electorate to visit the facilities in person.

“Come and see for yourself. Myself and the volunteers would love to show you around,” Cr Matters said.

"Sport keeps kids healthy, teaches resilience, drives social connection, and brings people together.

“This investment is not a luxury, It’s the right thing to do for the future of Kiama.”