The NSW Government has allocated $738,725 to undertake improvements at the six sporting fields to improve usability and safety.

Work will include the installation of new and additional drainage and the installation of new irrigation systems.

Work will be undertaken at Sanctuary Point Oval, Ulladulla Sports Park, Bomaderry Oval, Bernie Regan Sporting Complex, Drexel Park and the Nowra Showground.

South Coast MP Shelley Hancock made the announcement on Monday morning at Sanctuary Point Oval with representatives from Shoalhaven City Council and members of the Bay and Basin community.

“This is a great outcome for so many residents across the South Coast who utilise these facilities each and every day,” Mrs Hancock said.

At Sanctuary Point Oval surface drainage will be installed to increase playability and decrease water logging. The system will use the sand-slitting technique, with a slotted pipe at the bottom of the trenches to divert excess water away from the ground surface.

“The NSW Government is determined to improve sporting facilities across our local communities,” Mrs Hancock said.

“When these grounds experiences high levels of rain, they are simply unusable. This announcement will allow Shoalhaven City Council to mitigate these issues and ensure these facilities are utilised by the community all year round.”

The announcement comes on top of the government’s $188,613 investment in the Nowra Showground for additional lighting.

This latest grant will provide new automated subsurface irrigation systems for the showground.

“Improvements to infrastructure is essential to produce high quality events,” Mrs Hancock said.

“I am committed to securing investments in our region to improve infrastructure and ensure our communities have the world-class facilities they expect and deserve.”

St Georges Basin Little Athletics president Tracy Mandavy said the improvements were long overdue and would provide the Sanctuary Point community with a safer and more usable sporting ground.

“Sanctuary Point Oval is used by local schools, sporting clubs and community groups regularly and they will greatly benefit from a safer and more playable field.” she said.

“I thank Mrs Hancock for securing these funds for this important upgrade.”