Northern Rivers athletes have long faced a five-hour drive to Tamworth or a trip over the Queensland border just to train on a proper track. That is about to change, with work now underway on Lismore’s new $4.5 million Southern Cross Regional Athletics Facility.
The flood-resilient, high-performance synthetic track could even become a training base for international teams ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Lismore has always been a proud sporting heartland, and having this world-class facility right in our backyard means our kids, local school groups and club athletes won’t have to travel hours just to train on proper track and field infrastructure,” said Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin.
The NSW Government has put $3.6 million towards the project, which will include an eight-lane World Athletics Class running track, long jump pits, and event areas for shot put, javelin, and discus.
Steeplechase facilities, athletics equipment, drainage and stormwater systems, line marking, seating, lighting, fencing, new amenities, and shade structures are also part of the build.
Once complete, the facility will give schools, local clubs, elite athletes, and the wider community year-round access to a modern track, filling a major gap in local sporting infrastructure.
More than 50 school athletics carnivals are held in the region each year without access to high-quality competition facilities, and Little Athletics NSW participation is expected to grow by 480 per cent by 2030.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the track would serve people of all ages.
“This project is about investing in the future of the Northern Rivers and the thousands of residents, young and old that will use it,” Moriarty said.
“The new athletics facility will provide modern, resilient infrastructure for local athletes and schools while helping the Northern Rivers continue to grow as a vibrant and active regional community.”
“The Minns Labor Government is investing in facilities that support stronger regional communities, create more opportunities for local participation and help regional NSW continue to grow.”
The facility is expected to strengthen Lismore’s role as a regional sports and events hub. Its ability to attract regional and state-level events should bring more visitors to the city and new opportunities for local businesses.
“When we launched the Southern Cross Learning Precinct (Gnibi Wandarahn) Master Plan in 2024, some of its ambitions may have seemed aspirational, but that is exactly what a master plan should do: set out the future we want to create, then deliver it,” said Southern Cross University Vice President (Finance and Technology) Jack Williamson.
“This world athletics standard facility is another important step in bringing that vision to life.”
“It will be an asset not only for Southern Cross University, but for schools, sporting clubs, athletes and the wider Northern Rivers community.”
The athletics facility is one of six Northern Rivers projects worth a total of $11.5 million being funded through the $60.9 million Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program.
That program is part of more than $224 million provided to regional communities, councils, and businesses from the Regional Development Trust Fund. For more information, visit nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust.
“It will breathe fresh energy into our town, helping us host bigger regional events, fill local accommodation and cafes, and give our community a brilliant, modern space to connect and thrive,” Saffin said.
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