It’s a Happy New Year for the Northern Beaches athletics community
23 January 2026
Editor’s note: Pictures of the sod turn can be found here: https://officeofsport.intelligencebank.com/customshare/index/kZaqK
Caption: L-R: Ben Pines, Christian Renford, Jeffrey Wrightson, Chris Giles, Jacqui Scruby, Michael Regan, Adam Berry
It’s a Happy New Year for the Northern Beaches athletics community with work officially commencing on the redevelopment of Sydney Academy of Sport’s Athletics Track.
Office of Sport Deputy Secretary Adam Berry joined Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan, Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby, CC Pines Pty Ltd Executive Chairman Ben Pines and NSW athletics representatives to turn the first sod on the project.
CC Pines Pty. Ltd were appointed to lead the delivery of the project in December 2025 with the support of specialist athletics track surface consultants Polytan.
The $6.7 million project will deliver a new World Athletics (WA) compliant synthetic athletics track with a moisture resilient track surface, new asphalt subbase, drainage and stormwater system upgrades, and accessibility improvements.
Work on the track redevelopment is anticipated to be completed during Q3 2026 in time for the 2026-27 athletics season.
While the new track is being built the temporary grass athletics track at the Sydney Academy of Sport continues to be available to the athletics community.
Learn more about the Sydney Academy of Sport Athletics Track redevelopment at: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/capital-works-projects/sydney-academy-athletics-track
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“The Sydney Academy of Sport Athletics Track is a vital piece of sporting infrastructure that provides hundreds of Northern Beaches athletes, from Olympians to fun runners, with a place to hone their skills and improve their times.
“The turning of the first sod is a symbolic milestone that will give the athletics community renewed hope that the finish line on the return of the track is within sight.
“I’d like to thank the Member for Pittwater and Member for Wakehurst for their ongoing commitment to this project.”
Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby said:
“The commencement of construction is great news and Northern Beaches athletics community had been hoping for.
“It will be great to see athletics training and school carnivals back where they belong, and I look forward to joining Minister Kamper later this year to fire the starting gun on the first race at the new track.”
Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan said:
“Today’s milestone is fantastic news for local athletes.
“Once completed, the new World Athletics (WA) compliant synthetic athletics track will see athletes from the Northern Beaches and across NSW set personal bests and break records.”
Australian Paralympian and NSW Institute of Sport scholarship holder Marli Lovell said:
“I’m very excited that work is about to begin on the new synthetic athletic track at the Sydney Academy of Sport.
“This resource will be well-used by athletes of all standards, but on a personal level I look forward to using the track to prepare for future events, including the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.
“I know my fellow athletes will join me in thanking the NSW Government for ensuring athletes on Sydney’s northern beaches will have access to a world class track to train and compete on.
“It will help us fulfil our dreams.”
Media contact: Megan Maurice 0414 376 510