Minister: site selected for new sport and recreation centre

Released by NSW Minister for Sport Geoff Lee: The preferred site for the new Lake Macquarie Sport and Recreation Centre has been announced by the NSW Government today.

The site has water access to Lake Eraring and is approximately one kilometre south-east of the former Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre.

Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said fast-tracking a replacement centre for the Lake Macquarie community is a priority.

“The new preferred site is larger giving us the chance to offer a range of specialist programs and activities as well as continuing to provide watersports,” Mr Lee said.

“We are committed to working with Lake Macquarie residents and community groups on delivering a centre which meets their sport and recreation needs as well as protecting the unique local environment.”

The NSW Government will now prepare to submit a Development Application and seek community feedback.                                                 

Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said he was pleased things were moving ahead on a replacement for Myuna Bay.

“It’s also important that we find a way to accommodate the water ski club and make sure the original site is properly managed and rehabilitated. My preference is that the site be added to Lake Macquarie State Recreation Area and managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service.”

“I’ll continue to work on those issues but for now I acknowledge the work done by Minister Lee, the Office of Sport and Origin Energy in moving ahead with what I think will be a very good outcome for the local community.”

The Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre was permanently closed because of an ‘intolerable’ and ‘unacceptable’ risk to life, if seismic activity caused the coal ash dam wall to collapse.