FAQs

Developing a Tennis Facilities Plan was one of the key priorities in our Sport Strategy and Implementation Plan. This plan highlighted Council's commitment to maintaining and improving tennis facilities as part of our broader sport strategy.

The draft Tennis Facilities Plan has been prepared to review tennis facilities across the Sutherland Shire and ensure we can meet the needs of our growing community. It provides a strategic approach to future investment, facility improvements and long-term planning.

The purpose of the plan is to identify opportunities to improve community access and use of tennis facilities within our broader sport and recreation network. It will serve as a strategic roadmap for Council, ensuring efficient management and sustainability of tennis facilities in line with the Sport Strategy's objectives.

It outlines clear and achievable actions aimed at improving the long-term sustainability of Council’s tennis facilities and increasing community participation in tennis. 

The plan aligns with Tennis NSW’s Infrastructure Investment Strategy, which seeks to develop a network of sustainable tennis venues that are fit for both elite competitive play and to support local demand for recreational tennis as well as programs and coaching.

As part of the draft Tennis Facilities Plan, we reviewed all 53 courts, across 17 sites in Sutherland Shire.

The Sutherland Shire Tennis Facilities Plan includes:

• condition assessment of all Council-owned tennis facilities
• a review and benchmarking of venue management models
• outcomes of consultation with a broad range of community members and stakeholders. 

It aims to deliver key outcomes for Council and the community including:

• improved understanding of the supply and demand for existing tennis facilities and justify ongoing investment
• improved community satisfaction with the access and standard of tennis facilities within the Shire.
• growth in a strong Shire tennis community with a mix of sustainable venues (clubs), trained female coaches, and professional coaches.
• the implementation a sustainable delivery model for ongoing investment into its tennis facilities.

Council asked for input from the community in 2021 as we prepared the Sport Strategy and Implementation Plan, and again in 2022 when the draft strategy was shared. 

In mid-2024, Council conducted a review of Tennis facilities, using a coordinated and targeted consultation approach to gather information on current usage and participation rates, trends, values, needs, issues, and opportunities for improvement.

As part of this review, we engaged in extensive consultation with both the community and key stakeholder groups, including NSW Office of Sports, golf clubs including facility operators and leaseholders, Sport and Active Communities Reference Group and other user groups to ensure a comprehensive approach to planning. 

During early 2024, we conducted a visual review and assessment of all council-owned tennis facilities including courts, amenities and supporting infrastructure. 

A key focus of the plan is to continue driving higher operating standards to enhance the long-term sustainability of our facilities. The implementation plan identifies actions that have been driven by public feedback received to date. 

The draft Tennis Facilities Plan includes an investigation into the opportunity to multi-line some of our existing tennis courts. This approach would help maximise the use of available space and provide greater flexibility in supporting a variety of sports, including pickleball, to meet the diverse needs of the community.