Pittwater and Wakehurst MPs Jacqui Scruby and Michael Regan joined the Department of Sport and Athletics NSW officials today to turn the first sod, marking the start of the long-awaited upgrade of the Sydney Academy of Sport athletics track at Narrabeen.

Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby MP welcomed the milestone, saying the start of works was exciting news for athletes of all ages and abilities across the Northern Beaches.

“Having secured $6.7m in last year’s Budget, it’s wonderful to see this money is now being put to good use. Reopening the track can't come fast enough and the construction is now underway - with completion expected in Q3.”

The $6.7 million redevelopment will deliver a new World Athletics-compliant synthetic track, including a moisture resilient track surface, new asphalt subbase, drainage and stormwater system upgrades and accessibility improvements, giving northern beaches athletes access to a world-class training facility in their own backyard.

“This track became defunct under the former Liberal government who left it closed. This track is the only track in the North of Sydney and the redevelopment was an important investment in the future of local sport supporting both grassroots participation and elite pathways in the lead up to the LA and Brisbane Olympics. 

“The commencement of construction means we’re one step closer to seeing training and competition return to a modern, high-quality facility right here in the Northern Beaches,” Ms Scruby said.

During construction, athletes will continue to have access to the temporary grass athletics track at the Sydney Academy of Sport.

“This upgrade has been a long time coming, and it’s terrific to see shovels finally in the ground,” Ms Scruby said.

“I look forward to returning later this year with Minister Kamper to help fire the starting gun on the first race at the new track.”

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Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The Sydney Academy of Sport Athletics Track is a vital piece of sporting infrastructure that provides hundreds of Northern Beaches athletes, from Olympians to fun runners, with a place to hone their skills and improve their times.

“The turning of the first sod is a symbolic milestone that will give the athletics community peace of mind that the finish line on the return of the track is within sight.”

Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan said:

“Today’s milestone is fantastic news for local athletes.

“Once completed, the new World Athletics (WA) compliant synthetic athletics track will see athletes from the Northern Beaches and across NSW set personal bests and break records.”

Australian Paralympian and NSW Institute of Sport scholarship holder Marli Lovell said:
“I’m very excited that work is about to begin on the new synthetic athletic track at the Sydney Academy of Sport. 

 “This resource will be well-used by athletes of all standards, but on a personal level I look forward to using the track to prepare for future events, including the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.

 “I know my fellow athletes will join me in thanking the NSW Government for ensuring athletes on Sydney’s northern beaches will have access to a world class track to train and compete on.

 “It will help us fulfil our dreams.”