Woonona Public School Multi-purpose Court

The NSW Department of Education (DoE) proposed the construction of a multi-purpose sports court at Woonona Public School. The court was designed to be 544m², with line markings for basketball, netball, and volleyball, featuring reversible towers for basketball/netball and removable volleyball posts. The objective was to enhance sports facilities for students while maintaining the existing school oval.

Scope of Work

• Location: South-eastern corner of the school oval, near Liddell Street.
• Materials: Artificial turf surface, two metal posts with timber backboards.
• Construction:Excavation to 100mm depth, Blue metal road base, Soft-fall layer, Artificial grass surface.
• Timeline: Estimated four-week construction period, preferably during summer holidays.

Findings and Environmental Considerations

• No Significant Environmental Impact: The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) concluded that the project did not significantly impact the environment, flora, or fauna.
• Flood Risk Considered: The court was positioned outside the most flood-prone areas of the school grounds.
• Minimal Heritage Impact: While Woonona Infants School was heritage-listed, the court was located away from heritage buildings.
• Noise Considerations: Potential noise concerns for nearby residents were reviewed, and the location was chosen to balance student needs and community concerns.
• No Additional Fencing: The court remained open, aligning with school security measures.

Conclusion

The proposed Multi-purpose Court was recommended for approval as it provided improved recreational facilities for students without significant environmental or community impact. Construction followed best-practice environmental management to ensure minimal disruption.