Sporting clubs to receive refund after wet season

CITY of Coffs Harbour will extend financial relief to local sport organisations hampered by ongoing wet weather.

At its meeting on 24 July, Council resolved to provide clubs a refund on their seasonal hire of City-owned and managed grass sport fields where these were rain-impacted during this year’s winter sport season.

“We’ve already had a huge amount of rain this year and that has forced ground closures which has been frustrating for players, officials and families,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.

“While we can’t control the weather, this decision by Council will lighten the financial load on local sports organisations.”

The refund will be equivalent to four weeks as a percentage of the duration of the hire season.

In the first half of 2025, on the back of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and recurring low pressure systems, Coffs Harbour received an inordinate amount of rain.

To the end of June, 1495mm was recorded at the Coffs Airport Weather Station (that includes monthly totals of 488mm in March and 525mm in May).

“The extended and sustained wet weather had a wide ranging impact on outdoor sport and the City was fortunate to have its synthetic fields at Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park, which were available for community use,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.

Council also resolved to note the proposed inclusion of a provision in the City’s Rates, Charges and Fees – Financial Hardship Policy, at its next review, to reduce fees and charges for the hire and use of City grounds and facilities during and following periods of extreme heavy rainfall.