Construction begins on $2.5 million sports field upgrades at Tarro and Lambton

Newy 87.8 FM – City of Newcastle has begun more than $2.5 million worth of upgrades at two sports fields experiencing a significant increase in female participation across different codes.

Funded by City of Newcastle and the NSW Government's Level the Playing Field Program, Tarro Reserve and Johnson Park at Lambton will each receive a new amenities building with female friendly change rooms, an accessible toilet, a canteen, a referees' room and storage.

Chair of City of Newcastle's Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, said the facilities host sports including football, cricket and touch football, and that the upgrades will support the city's growing population.

"Tarro Reserve and Johnson Park have seen female participation in cricket expand by more than 130% since 2024," Cr Winney-Baartz said. The number of female footballers using Tarro Reserve has grown from 11 in 2024 to 144 this season.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said sporting infrastructure needs to keep pace with the growth of women's sport, with the fund aimed at removing barriers for women and girls.

At Johnson Park, the old playground at the intersection of Bindera and Wyong Roads will be demolished to make way for the new amenities building, while the existing toilets in the southeast corner will be demolished once the new building is complete.

Construction at both fields is expected to be completed by early 2027. This July, City of Newcastle will also install a new toilet block near the existing playground at Waratah Park as part of the Waratah Park Masterplan.

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