Mayor Leah Anderson said the funding will allow Council to continue enhancing the Tomaree Sports Complex to meet the vision outlined in the master plan adopted in 2018.

“The Tomaree Sports Complex is a premier outdoor sporting venue in our community and over the past few years, thanks to a range of external funding, we’ve made significant improvements to the facility,” Mayor Anderson said.

“We’ve constructed the Bruce Scott Pavilion – a multi-purpose amenities building, improved drainage systems, and made plans to expand the Don Waring Oval, including enhanced lighting and pathways.

“These improvements have all been made with the goal of becoming one of the leading regional sports complexes in New South Wales.

“More than 3,000 registered players currently use the Tomaree Sports Complex for cricket, touch football, soccer, baseball and AFL – it’s a vital hub for our sporting community.

“With this new funding, we will continue transforming the Tomaree Sports Complex to benefit the local community and attract more events and visitors, which will boost the regional economy,” Mayor Anderson added.

The over $2 million in funding has been granted under Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program.

The upgrade project includes expanding the existing playing surfaces into full-sized rectangular fields to accommodate multi-codes, improving lighting, drainage and irrigation, and fencing, constructing a new carpark, and developing a pedestrian sports walk pathway through the centre of the complex.

“This weekend, we’re expecting over 2,100 players and their family and friends at the complex for the 2025 Peter Wilson Memorial Touch Football Championships – it’s major events like this we want to continue to attract to Port Stephens, which can only happen with better facilities,” Mayor Anderson said.

For details on the most recent upgrades to Tomaree Sports Complex upgrades, visit pscouncil.info/tomaree-sports-drainage-upgrades

To view the Tomaree Sports Complex Masterplan, visit pscouncil.info/open-space-planning