The Australian Standards prescribe how to achieve consistent quality and effectiveness of sports field lighting systems.

Considerations include, the sport, player safety and limits for obtrusive light spill on neighbouring properties.

The Sportsground Strategy 15-year plan includes lighting projects at sportsgrounds across the Northern Beaches. Priority sites were identified in consultation with sports groups and the projects will be delivered as funding and the relevant approvals are obtained.

• View Sportsgrounds Strategy July 2017
• View Sportsgrounds Strategic Directions Analysis July 2017

Funding for these works is from Council’s 2020/2021 Capital Works program and contributions from Manly Warringah Football Association.

Next winter season (June 2021) if the development application is approved.

All community feedback will be considered, and some adjustment to the designs may be required for the DAs to be lodged.

The new lighting at John Fisher Park will increase the hours this reserve is available for sports to conduct training and competitions.

Council’s sports field lighting fees are based on the amount of power lights require and a contribution to maintenance based on the type of lighting infrastructure.

Following completion of this project sports groups and other users will be able to choose training or competition lighting. Training lighting requires less power and so will have a lower fee than competition lighting which requires more power.

Sporting groups and other users will also be able to turn lights on and off via a mobile phone and will only be charged for the time lights are on.

The amount payable by users is dependent of the length of time lights are on, whether training or competition lighting is used and the fee applicable.

Lighting fees are reviewed and set annually through Council’s usual budget process.

Fees vary across Council’s sportsgrounds as the type of lighting infrastructure installed has differed over the many years that lights have been installed.

Sporting groups and other users will be able to turn lights on and off via a mobile phone application.

All sportsgrounds lights are set by Council to turn off automaticlly at a particular time to comply with the condition of consent for operation.

The current proposal is to have the reserve allocated for use until 9:15pm with the lights being turned off automatically at 9.30pm.

Council anticipates that the lights will be allowed to be in use up to six nights a week. The lights will not operate on Sunday night.

The lights will only switch on if there is an approved booking or sports allocation for the reserve.

Council is committed to providing our community with opportunities to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Capping numbers of people who can participate in sport is inconsistent with this objective.

Council will gain no financial benefit from the lighting.

The benefit to Council is the ability for the sports field to be used to capacity which will help allow more people to get involved in sports in our area.

Partnerships with user groups and grant bodies help Council and ratepayers fund the actions detailed in the sportsground strategy.