Work is officially underway on the new $4.5 million Southern Cross Regional Athletics Facility in Lismore, a landmark project set to establish the Northern Rivers as one of NSW’s premier sporting destinations and a potential training base for international teams ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The project, which received $3.6 million from the Minns Labor Government’s, will deliver a flood-resilient, high-performance synthetic athletics track for the Northern Rivers.
It will include an eight-lane World Athletics Class running track, long jump pits, 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.
Once complete, the facility will give schools, local clubs, elite athletes and the wider community year-round access to a modern track, helping address a major infrastructure gap. As the nearest comparable facility in NSW is currently more than five hours away in Tamworth, many athletes and their families have had to access facilities over the border in Queensland.
More than 50 school athletics carnivals are held annually in the region without access to high-quality competition facilities and Little Athletics NSW participation is expected to grow by 480 per cent by 2030, increasing the need for dedicated athletics infrastructure.
The new facility will support local participation, talent development and community wellbeing, while strengthening Lismore’s role as a regional sports and events hub.
Its capacity to attract regional and state-level events is expected to bring more visitors to the city and create new opportunities for local businesses.
The Southern Cross Regional Athletics Facility is one of six projects worth a total of $11.5 million being funded in the Northern Rivers from the $60.9 million Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program.
The funding is part of the more than $224 million that has been provided to regional communities, councils and businesses from the Regional Development Trust Fund to grow and succeed.
For more information, visit Regional Development Trust.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“This project is about investing in the future of the Northern Rivers and the thousands of residents, young and old that will use it.
“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.”
Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore said:
“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.”
“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.”
Southern Cross University Vice President (Finance and Technology), Jack Williamson said:
“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.
“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.
