Funding secured for Lismore athletics track

Published: 29 July 2025

Southern Cross University has secured a $3.6m NSW Government grant to build a multi-million-dollar athletics track and field facility on the Lismore campus.

The new Regional Athletics Facility will provide a much-needed training base for athletes from Northern NSW and NSW Mid North Coast.

The track and field facility, designed to meet World Athletics standard, addresses a major infrastructure gap for schools and clubs. It will also be available as a regional training venue for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Once complete the 400-metre weatherproof track will also accommodate field events including long jump, javelin, shot put, discus, hammer throw, high jump, and pole vault.

Vice-President (Strategy and Technology) Jack Williamson said the facility would benefit athletes, local services and businesses, and the wider community, with the ability to attract regional, state and national athletics events.

“A facility of this type will be transformative for our region. It will benefit Southern Cross University students, our partner schools Trinity Catholic College and the Living Academy, as well as students and athletes from across the region. It also has direct ties to our teaching and research in allied health, exercise physiology and sports science. We’re thrilled to see the NSW Government support the project through this generous grant," said Mr Williamson.

An aerial image of the campus with location of field indicated — Aerial image of Lismore campus with future location of athletics facility indicated

“The facility represents great opportunities for students. They’ll be able to step out of the classroom into this world-class environment and see what they learn in practice. With such a facility we’ll also be able to attract world-class trainers for workshops and teaching,” said Dr Zachary Crowley-McHattan, senior lecturer in exercise science.

The new athletics track will be built on the Maurie Ryan Oval at the Lismore campus.

The facility is a core feature of the Lismore Master Plan launched in 2024, a re-envisioning of the Northern Rivers campus to create an open, vibrant community precinct.

The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western New South Wales, announced the grant during a visit to the Southern Cross University Lismore campus.

The funding is part of the state government’s $50m Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program supporting infrastructure projects, services and program delivery.