Gore Hill Park Precinct

Masterplan and development application for an indoor sport centre

The Gore Hill Park Precinct (GHPP) project represents the second stage of the Gore Hill park redevelopment to address the need for indoor community sport facilities.

In stage 1, the oval was re-oriented to east- west to accommodate the requirements of a new indoor sports facility in stage 2. Stage 1 was finalised in March 2019 when the new synthetic oval, clubhouse and playground were opened.

Stage 2 includes preliminary planning activity for a new indoor sports facility.

What are the project objectives?

The stage 2 project objectives are to undertake an open space master planning exercise for Gore Hill park which considers the park and its neighbours. The master plan will also incorporate a proposed new indoor sports centre.

Why is a new indoor sport facility proposed?

Stakeholder engagement and research found that demand has outstripped supply for indoor sports facilities for Willoughby and surrounding local government areas and this requirement is expected to increase as the population expands. The engagement found that people are not participating in sports because of limited access to facilities.

The new indoor sports centre will help fill a gap in sports facilities in Willoughby and surrounding local government areas.

Current project priorities

Development application (DA)

On Monday 28 April 2025, Council resolved to prepare a development application for a new five-court indoor sport centre facility at Gore Hill Park.

Master plan

It was also resolved that Council prepare a broader open space master plan for the Gore Hill precinct, including Gore Hill Park, Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery, and surrounding open space, to guide future planning and ensure coordinated, sensitive use of the land to meet community needs.

Through both the preparation of the DA and the master plan, a strong focus will be placed on the retention of existing tree canopy with a minimum of five new trees planted within the Willoughby LGA area in replacement of any trees that may be lost through delivery of the new indoor sports centre.

Updates

Date	Update
February to April 2026	Project management services, cost planner and town planner have commenced working. The principle lead consultant and specialist engagement consultant procurement in progress.
November 2025	Cost planner engaged. Town planner engagement underway.
September to October 2025	Procurement of specialist consultants including master planner and cost planner underway.
June to August 2025	The initiation phase (preliminary planning) for the precinct wide masterplan and indoor sports facility has commenced.
May 2025	Council has committed to preparing a development application for a five-court facility. In conjunction, a broader precinct masterplan will also be prepared.
March 2025	The business case for a smaller scheme on the Gore Hill Park site is complete. Council will consider the findings at it's meeting in April 2025.
April to December 2024	Finalising revised business case for smaller scheme on Gore Hill oval site. Considering alternative options within the precinct with relevant stakeholders. Report outcomes to Council when available.
November 2023 to March 2024	Finalising revised business case and considering alternative options with stakeholders. Reporting to Council on outcomes early 2024.
September to October 2023	Briefing to Council complete. Investigations on alternative options to deliver the project in the Gore Hill precinct with available capital funding are continuing.
July to August 2023	Pre-concept plans have been developed. Quantity surveyor report and business case are under review in preparation for a briefing to Council on 18 September 2023.