Georges River Council has revived the plan for a regional athletics facility in the local government area.
The council has unanimously supported a call by Councillor Con Hindi to recommence the process initiated by the former Hurstville Council to find a suitable site for a regional facility.
In June 2016, the Member for Banks David Coleman committed $500,000 for a regional athletics centre in the local government area.
But Georges River Council, which was then under administration, rejected the proposed location of a regional athletics centre at Riverwood Park following the strong community opposition to that site.
At the time, Georges River Council administrator John Rayner said the council would find a more suitable location and would write to adjoining councils to discuss suitable locations within their areas.
The former Hurstville Council commissioned a draft feasibility study for regional athletics centre which found four potential sites for the centre, Riverwood Park, Peakhurst Park, Olds Park and Evatt Park.
The council report said that the athletics facility would need to accommodate an eight lane 400-metre all weather running track, shot put, discus and javelin throwing, long jump and triple jump tracks and land areas, high jump areas, hammer throw, changerooms and toilets , canteen, club area and car parking.
The study recommended Riverwood Park would best accommodate all the requirements for a regional athletics centre due to access and location.
The study estimated the cost of the centre at $5 million.
Of the 33 responses, only six responses supported the proposal.
The council also received a petition against the proposal with 553 signatures.
Most of the submissions raised concerns about traffic and parking, loss of the dog off-leash park, environmental impacts and loss of existing facilities.
In light of the large volume of submission against the Riverwood Park proposal, it was recommended that the newly formed Georges River Council reject the Riverwood Park location and extend the feasibility study into the former Kogarah Council area and adjoining councils.
But the plan is now back on the table following Cr Hindi’s notice of motion at the December 18 council meeting.
He called on the council to write to local state MPs requesting their support and funding towards the construction of regional athletics facility.
Meanwhile, the council will continue investigating options for a suitable site in the local government area.