Mayor of the Dubbo Region Ben Shields has welcomed a request from Councillor Dayne Gumley to investigate ways of increasing parking for Dubbo’s premier sporting facility Apex Oval.
Councillor Gumley put a Notice of Motion to the March Ordinary meeting of Council, requesting that the CEO “be requested to prepare conceptual plans for the construction of sealed car parking around Kakoda Place on Council land, Wingewarra Street entrance to Apex Oval”.
Additionally, Councillor Gumley requested that “once the conceptual plans are completed and approved, Council actively seeks grant funding for the construction.”
Councillors endorsed the notice of motion and the conceptual plans will be provided to Council at a future meeting.
Councillor Shields said Apex Oval was a fine venue for playing and watching sport, but said the most common concern around the facility was parking.
“Apex Oval can hold up to 12,000 people and has hosted some massive events in recent years including City vs Country Origin in 2006 and 2014, the NRL trial between the Bulldogs and Canberra in 2010 and the A-League trial match between Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC in 2019,” Councillor Shields said. “Now we will host South Sydney Rabbitohs for two years starting with an NRL game against Penrith on 23 May (2021).”
“However we know that when it comes to the big events, parking at the ground just isn’t enough. Council often opens the showground for parking, and all side streets near the stadium become a parking lot.
“Councillor Gumley’s proposal could be an easy and low-cost way to increase the number of parks close to Apex, using land Council already owns and operates. Any additional parking within easy walking distance of the Oval would be welcome for the community.”
Source: DRC