DESPITE the heavy rainfall in the district as a consequence of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, local sporting fixtures faced far less disruption than expected, thanks to recent drainage upgrades at key sporting fields.
The swift recovery of grounds like Allan Gillett Oval in Macksville has been praised by members of the public, highlighting the success of Council-led improvements.
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“These fields would typically be out of action for another week or two but are in pristine condition, not a single wet spot,” Bowraville Junior Rugby League Football Club’s Troy Grace told News Of The Area.
“I think Council should be congratulated for this initiative and promoting a healthy lifestyle by allowing the kids to be out on these grounds.
“While many sports fields in neighbouring districts were out of action due to water coverage, it was back to business as usual for many of our sporting clubs.”
What could have been a weekend of cancellations after ‘Alfred’ instead saw teams back on the field sooner than anticipated.
The positive outcome is the result of extensive drainage works carried out across three major sporting complexes, covering a total of five playing fields: Macksville Park, which includes Willis Street and Allan Gillett Oval in Macksville; both fields at E J Biffin Sporting Fields in Nambucca Heads; and Hennessy Tape Oval in Bowraville.
At E J Biffin Sporting Fields additional work was undertaken to completely reshape the smaller field, ensuring better water runoff and reducing pooling.
Drainage lines were installed, and the field was rehabilitated with fresh grass, making it more resilient to future rain events.
The drainage projects were made possible through collaborative funding efforts, including:
● Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI) Phase 4, funded by the Australian Government, which supported drainage work at E J Biffin Oval.
● Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program (CLIRP), jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments and administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
● Nambucca Valley Council, which contributed additional funds to complete the project.
A Nambucca Valley Council Spokesperson advised NOTA that while this particular drainage project was a one-off initiative, council remains open to future opportunities should additional grant funding become available.
By Mick BIRTLES
