General

• ​​Why is Council proposing to upgrade the reserve?

• Council identified a shortfall of 24 hectares in the capacity required to meet the community’s needs. Converting existing sports fields to synthetic provides an additional 19 hours of capacity per field per week, for Miller Reserve this will equate to and additional 57 hours per week. Miller Reserve was selected as an ideal site to provide this facility to service the south eastern area of the Northern Beaches Local government area. It complements the synthetic fields at locations such as Cromer Park and Lionel Watts in Frenchs Forest.
  

• ​How will the upgrade be funded?

• Council is funding the project through Section 7.12 development contributions and working capital made available through the stronger financial position of an amalgamated Council.
  

• How did Council decide on which reserves could be upgraded to a synthetic surface?

• Key considerations identified as part of the process of identifying potential sites suitable for an upgrade to a synthetic surface included geotechnical, flooding, current use and access to public transport among other criteria.

• Will the new design lead to increased numbers of users?

• While we’re proposing to increase sporting capacity at Miller Reserve, this doesn’t necessarily mean increasing the number of users at any one time. We are instead looking to increase availability throughout the day, allowing for additional timeslots to be booked.

• Who are they key sports user groups?

• Currently the key users are soccer in winter and cricket and touch football in summer along with ultimate frisbee.

  Council will investigate other alternative uses for the facility, particularly through moving schools to this site from nearby natural fields.

• What is the Sportsground Strategy?

• In 2017, Council adopted 'The Sportsgrounds Strategy' which sets out a 15 year plan to provide a single approach to the management and long term planning of sporting facilities on the Northern Beaches.

  The review conducted as part of the Sportsgrounds Strategy confirmed a shortfall of sports fields across the Northern Beaches.

  Grass fields have a 'sustainable capacity' of 35 hours per week with average usage already above this, we looked at how we can better service our sporting needs, whilst also increasing availability and resistance. This includes irrigation, drainage, lighting, reconfiguration and re-allocation of fields.

  The Strategy identified synthetic sports fields as a more cost effective way to deliver higher capacity than having to purchase more land.

• What is included as part of the proposed upgrade to the amenities building?

• We are proposing to build a new building alongside the existing amenities building, as well as reconfiguring the layout of the existing building to provide:

  - male, female and accessible public amenities
  - an additional change room
  - club storage areas
  - a canteen.

  There will be no reduction to the level of service this facility provides to our community.

• What is the expected timing for the amenities building upgrade?

• Construction of the future amenities building is anticipated to commence in 2022-2023.

• ​What are the benefits of synthetic surfaces?

• Benefits of a synthetic surface include;

  • higher capacity
  • a first class surface that does not degrade over the course of the winter season
  • an all-weather surface functional in wet weather
  • less maintenance
  • does not require irrigation
  • does not require the use of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides

Environmental

• ​What impacts will the upgrade have on flooding?

• A key objective of the project is to ensure that the new synthetic fields do not negatively impact flood risk within this catchment area.

  Council has engaged specialists to help design the works to ensure that flood risk is not increased and that water runoff does not exceed the current flow rates into Manly Creek.
  

• What work are we proposing to do to the creek?

• We are proposing to plant native vegetation and remove weedy vines, trees and shrubs to improve habitat for native species. We will also stabilise stormwater erosion points at outlet pipes to reduce erosion.

  We will need to assess the site further to identify priorities. The first stage of the project is likely to include the side of the bank adjacent to Miller Reserve.

• ​How will Council minimise rubber from the synthetic surface entering the creek?

• The design proposes a number of measures to prevent rubber entering the creek including:

  • a 450mm retaining wall running around the whole field to help prevent people and maintenance vehicles from scuffing rubber off the field area

  • a footpath around the field that angles back towards the field, to direct water and any sediments back towards the field

  • drainage socks installed in the stormwater pits to catch the rubber

  • scuff pads near all entrances to encourage people to clean their shoes before leaving the field.

Community Engagement

• ​How will my comments be used?

• Your comments will be used to influence the final design, particularly the supporting infrastructure, materials and landscaping outcomes.