Delivering for Cook: $674,000 Lighting Upgrade for Gwawley Park, Taren Point
PRESS RELEASE
A Peter Dutton led Coalition Government will commit $674,000 to upgrade the field lighting at Gwawley Park’s North Field, ensuring local clubs can play and train safely in the evenings. This funding will directly benefit the Taren Point Titans Rugby League Club and Taren Point Touch Association.
Federal Member for Cook, Simon Kennedy, today announced that if the Coalition wins the next Federal Election, he has secured funding to support the project.
“Sport is a way of life in the Sutherland Shire, and the Liberal Party is committed to making community sport more accessible and safe for all,” Mr Kennedy said.
The Taren Point Titans and Taren Point Touch reached out to Mr Kennedy regarding the urgent need for better lighting to meet high demand and extend evening training hours. While upgrades to the southern field were scheduled, the north field was set to remain in the dark.
Within a week of being contacted, Mr Kennedy visited the oval to meet with both clubs and discuss funding options to ensure both fields could be upgraded simultaneously.
Currently, training on the north field winds down around 6:00 pm during winter sports, but teams need access until 9:30 pm to accommodate all players and sporting codes. Upgraded lighting will reduce scheduling pressure, improve safety, and provide better facilities for local athletes.
In response, a petition was launched on simonkennedymp.com.au and widely shared on social media, attracting hundreds of supporters across the community. This strong backing reinforced Mr Kennedy’s push for funding.
The total project cost for the north field is estimated at $724,000, with $674,000 from Simon Kennedy MP and the Coalition, and the remainder funded by Sutherland Shire Council.
This commitment is subject to a Coalition win at the 2025 Federal Election.
Quotes:
Simon Kennedy MP
"This investment will ensure our local clubs have the facilities they need to thrive. Sport brings our community together, and this upgrade will help thousands of local players train safely and enjoy the game they love."
Simon Kennedy MP
“The local community reached out to me on social media, so I went down, met with them, and listened to their concerns. I’m pleased to have secured this commitment to ensure their voices were heard. I also want to thank the hundreds of community members who signed the petition—this support made this possible.”
Adam McPherson – Club Secretary, Taren Point Titans
"The Taren Point Titans are thrilled to be one step closer to securing much-needed lighting upgrades. For years, our kids have trained under inadequate lighting, impacting both their learning experience and safety. This funding is long overdue, and we couldn’t be more grateful. The future is looking brighter for our players."
Craig May – Club President, Taren Point Touch Association
“Our club is growing, but the current lighting at the oval is inadequate. With over 3,000 participants playing touch football. Having Simon hear our request, and act immediately is the solution our community has been looking for.”
ENDS