Callan Park All-Weather Field DAs Now on Exhibition

Inner West Council has lodged a Development Application (DA 2025/1053) to upgrade Field 2 at the Waterfront Playing Fields, Callan Park, to a modern, all-weather football surface.

This is a critical moment for Balmain & District Football Club (BDFC) and for our wider football community. The DA is now on public exhibition, and supportive submissions from BDFC members really matter!

Why this project matters

Waterfront is BDFC’s primary home ground and one of the most heavily used football facilities in the Inner West.

Each winter weekend:

  • more than 1,000 players aged 4 to 74 play at Waterfront
  • hundreds more train there during the week
  • our members rely on it for safe, predictable access

Despite a $2 million Council upgrade in 2019 using best-practice turf, drainage and lighting, Field 2 has not been able to cope with the intensity of use, particularly during wet winter months.

The issue is not about drainage design, or maintenance effort. It is about capacity!

An all-weather surface is the only proven way to deliver a safe, reliable, year-round playing field that meets current and future demand, while also reducing pressure on surrounding turf fields.

What is being proposed – The Design

The proposal involves:

  • upgrading one existing football field (Field 2) at Waterfront Drive
  • no change to the second grass field (Field 1)
  • no loss of open space — the site is already a long-established sports field
  • continued public access, consistent with all Council-managed fields
  • funding from the NSW Government, following community consultation

The DA will be assessed by an independent Planning Panel, not councillors.

What the experts say

The Development Application is supported by a comprehensive suite of expert reports, prepared for Inner West Council in accordance with NSW planning, environmental and heritage requirements.

These are the technical reports the Planning Panel relies on when making its decision.

Field Condition, Performance and Safety

Independent engineering and sports field specialists conclude that:

  • the existing grass field cannot sustainably support current levels of use, even with best-practice maintenance
  • surface degradation increases safety risks associated with uneven and worn turf
  • the proposed all-weather surface will deliver substantially greater playable hours with consistent performance
  • the surface specification aligns with modern, FIFA-aligned performance standards, including traction, shock absorption and thermal performance

This reflects what members experience every winter: closures, cancellations and declining field quality despite ongoing investment.

Drainage, Stormwater and Material Containment

One of the most detailed elements of the DA is the stormwater and filtration design, which directly addresses environmental concerns.

Independent civil and hydraulic engineering advice confirms that:

  • all runoff is directed through engineered drainage and filtration systems
  • micro-screen filter baskets capture loose organic infill or fibres before they enter the stormwater network
  • a continuous 150mm perimeter kerb prevents lateral migration of materials
  • defined entry and exit points with boot-cleaning zones further reduce material movement

Expert assessment concludes that runoff from the proposed field is managed to a higher standard than the existing turf field, which currently relies on fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.

Environment and Water Use

Environmental assessments highlight an important comparison:

  • the existing grass field requires almost 4 million litres of water per year
  • it also requires repeated chemical treatments to remain playable
  • the proposed all-weather surface does not require irrigation to maintain performance

The expert conclusion is not that the field removes green space, but that it reduces existing environmental impacts while maintaining the same recreational footprint.

Trees, Landscape and Heritage

Specialist arborists and heritage consultants confirm that:

  • no trees will be removed
  • tree root zones are protected during construction
  • existing open views across Callan Park are maintained
  • no fencing or structures are introduced that would alter the landscape character
  • works occur on reclaimed land, not original foreshore or heritage fabric

The Statement of Heritage Impact concludes that the proposal:

  • is consistent with the historic sporting use at Waterfront
  • does not result in adverse heritage impacts
  • aligns with the Callan Park Landscape Structure Plan

Traffic, Parking and Access

Independent traffic engineers conclude that:

  • the number of games played concurrently does not increase
  • peak-period traffic and parking demand does not change

The DA also includes improved pedestrian access, with accessible-grade pathways benefiting:

  • people with mobility impairment
  • All Abilities participants
  • parents with prams
  • older members of the community

Accommodating growing community sporting needs in Callan Park

The State Government’s Draft Plan of Management for Callan Park makes no provision for any additional sporting fields in the Park. This is despite the Callan Park Act 2002 having the objective to allow public access to that open space, including that foreshore, for public recreational purposes of both an active and a passive nature.

With no new fields planned, it’s vitally important that the best use is made of the existing sporting fields to serve our growing community. These existing sporting fields occupy less than 7% of the park. Together, the two fields proposed for all-weather surfaces represent under 2% of Callan Park.

Why this evidence matters

Planning Panels decide on evidence, not volume of noise.

The Waterfront DA is supported by:

  • civil and stormwater engineers
  • environmental specialists
  • arborists
  • traffic engineers
  • heritage consultants

All reach the same conclusion:
the proposed all-weather field is appropriate, contained and necessary for this site.

👉 The full suite of Waterfront DA Documents is available here

Member submissions are important. They sit alongside the technical evidence and demonstrate that the project is genuinely valued by the community it serves.

What happens next

  • The DA is on public exhibition until 9 February 2026
  • Submissions must be lodged via Inner West Council’s online DA portal
  • DA Number: 2025/1053
  • The proposal will then be determined by the independent Planning Panel

How you can support the Callan Park All-Weather Fields

  1. Make a submission
    A short, personal submission in support of the project is incredibly powerful.
    You don’t need to be technical. Explaining why this matters to you or your family is enough.

👉 Make a submission via Council

  1. Sign and share the petition
    BDFC and Leichhardt Saints have jointly established a petition supporting two all-weather fields in Callan Park: one at Waterfront and one at Balmain Road.

👉 Support All-Weather Playing Fields at Callan Park

  1. Read the FAQs
    We’ve prepared a clear, factual FAQ covering safety, environment, heritage, dogs, parking and access, with links to other helpful documents as well.

👉 Download the FAQs (PDF)

Background: how we got here

For those who want to understand the broader context, you can read:

  • our original advocacy for an all-weather field at Rozelle Parklands
  • why Waterfront emerged as the preferred alternative following community consultation

👉 We Need an All-Weather field at Rozelle Parklands!
👉 An Opportunity for an All-Weather Field – Vote Now

A final word

The BDFC Executive Committee strongly supports the approval of the Waterfront All-Weather Field. This project:

  • supports all players, including girls, women and All Abilities Special Needs players
  • reduces junior washouts
  • protects surrounding turf fields
  • and ensures football remains accessible in a dense, growing Inner West community

If you value reliable, safe, inclusive community sport, now is the time to have your say.