Kiama Netball Association is calling for urgent repairs to the courts at Kiama Sporting Complex, with cracks and surface damage posing safety risks for players.

The issue has become so serious that the Association now tries to avoid using two of the seven courts wherever possible.

President Michelle Gregory said they welcomed the draft masterplan for the sporting complex as a step forward.

Kiama Netball Association is concerned about players' safety on the ageing courts at Kiama Sports Complex.

However, she said resurfacing work was needed immediately, not just as part of long-term redevelopment.

“We’re pleased to see movement on the master plan; it’s a step toward long overdue upgrades,” Gregory told The Bugle.

“However, our existing court surface needs urgent repair, so we are seeking Council support to resurface our courts in their current location, regardless of the masterplan. Our Association continues to see growth and community use of our courts.”

The netball courts at the Kiama Sports Complex.

Under the draft masterplan, several upgrades for netball have been proposed across three options:

Option 1 includes the construction of eight new netball courts over the existing central carpark, along with a shared two-storey clubhouse.

Option 2 features those courts but also involves rock excavation to expand the netball area, relocates the proposed playground to the north of the grandstand, and introduces a dedicated netball clubhouse.

Option 3 mirrors Option 1’s netball components while also including the reconstruction of the Leisure Centre in its current location.

Gregory said those longer-term upgrades were encouraging for local netball.

“We will continue to support the working group through the process, and I thank Natalie Allan and Sandra Dodd for representing Kiama Netball through this process,” she said.

In response to the Association’s call for immediate action, Kiama Council said it was already working with the group on short-term funding solutions.

“Kiama Council’s draft masterplan for the Kiama Sports Complex, currently on exhibition, is designed to address the need for significant upgrades,” a spokesperson said.

“The masterplan will help attract the necessary government funding to carry out the work over the long term.

“In the interim, Kiama Council is working with the Kiama Netball Association to secure NSW Government funding to refurbish the courts at the Kiama Sports Complex.”

The Kiama Sporting Complex and South Werri Reserve draft masterplans are both on public exhibition until Tuesday, August 5.

Mayor Cameron McDonald is encouraging residents to engage with both plans and share their feedback.

“We’ve had plenty of feedback, but we always welcome more,” Cr McDonald said.

“So if you can, have a look at those masterplans, which are available on Council’s website, and give us some feedback.”

The South Werri Reserve plan focuses on preserving the area’s native landscape and recognising Indigenous cultural significance, while the Kiama Sporting Complex plan is centred on modernising outdated infrastructure to meet growing community demand.

“We know that the facilities up there are approaching end of life, and they’re not up to fit-for-purpose or best-purpose standards,” Cr McDonald said.

“This master plan is a way for our community to get involved … to tell us what’s good, what’s bad about the design work, what works, what doesn’t.”

A community drop-in session will be held at the Kiama Sports Complex on Saturday (July 26) from 9am to 11am, where locals can learn more about the proposals.

Feedback on both plans can be submitted via www.yoursay.kiama.nsw.gov.au.