Middle Head Oval Amenities

Work is underway on new amenities at Middle Head Oval to support greater access and inclusion in sports and community activities, with the milestone marked through an on-site ground-breaking ceremony today (Tuesday, 16 December 2025).

The event brought together Mosman Councillors and staff and project stakeholders, to celebrate the start of a multimillion-dollar upgrade that will deliver modern, accessible, and sustainable facilities for local AFL and football clubs, as well as the wider community.

Mayor Ann Marie Kimber said the ceremony was an exciting milestone for Mosman.

“This is a great outcome for the community and for active sports users. Council has worked closely with sporting and community groups to ensure the new facility meets their needs into the future,” she said.

“We’re confident the community is going to love the new building. It will create a more welcoming and functional space for sport, recreation, and everyday park users.”

The Australian Government has contributed $2 million through the Thriving Suburbs Program. The program is delivered through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. The Thriving Suburbs Program is all about building better cities and more liveable suburbs. Projects like Middle Head Oval Pavilion increase community cohesion, liveability, and accessibility, with investment aimed at unlocking a range of benefits for Mosman residents and visitors, supporting healthy lifestyles and social inclusion.

A $50,000 grant was also secured through Mosman Swans Junior AFL Club from an AFL NSW Facilities Fund.

The project involves demolishing a circa-1980s amenities block and replacing it with a new building. The new Middle Head Oval Pavilion will include female-friendly change rooms, solar panels, rainwater reuse systems, accessible pathways, barbecue facilities and landscaping that meets modern sporting code standards while respecting Middle Head’s natural heritage.

Council worked closely with sporting and community groups who use the facility to ensure they have an updated facility that will meet their needs into the future. Feedback from the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust also informed the project. The oval is managed by the Trust with Council having a longstanding perpetual licence to replace buildings in the area for active sporting purposes.

The new amenities block is designed by the award-winning architect responsible for the Allan Border Oval Pavilion, Tomek Archer of Archer Office.

Works are scheduled for completion in early to mid-2027.

A Mosman Council project for new amenities at Middle Head Oval has received $2 million funding through the Federal Government’s Thriving Suburbs Program.

The new amenities building is among 15 projects in greater Sydney and surrounding areas to share in a $60 million under the program, which is designed to build better cities and more liveable suburbs, targeting projects such as sporting and cultural hubs, libraries and parks that increase community cohesion, liveability and accessibility.

The Middle Head Oval project involves demolishing an existing circa-1980s amenities block and replacing it with a new building, promoting greater inclusion in sports and community activities.

The federal grant will go towards the cost of the building, with work due to commence in 2025, following a recent project determination by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber said the support of the Federal Government and local Member for Warringah Zali Steggall was welcome.

“We are thrilled to be providing a fantastic new facility to improve public amenity, accessibility, sports participation and community use of this wonderful public space,” she said.

“The funding assistance and support at a federal level is especially welcome and will go a long way to helping us deliver this important project for Mosman.”

The Mosman Football Club and Mosman Swans AFL Football Club are among stakeholders who worked collaboratively with Council on plans for a modern replacement of the existing amenities block.

Licia Bruce, of Mosman Swans, said the existing outdated facilities at Middle Head were a long-standing issue.

“The new amenities building will be a fantastic asset for our community and help clubs like ours encourage participation across all levels and age groups, especially for female participants,” she said.

“The new building will also support other recreational activities at the site, for everyone in our community to enjoy.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the Thriving Suburbs Program was all about building better cities and more liveable suburbs, with the projects getting funding across NSW set to increase community cohesion, liveability and accessibility.

“Fifteen local projects across the state are now set to become a reality thanks to funding from this program, which will unlock a range of benefits for communities,” she said.

Long-awaited work to replace an amenities block at Middle Head Oval, promoting greater inclusion in sports and community activities, will commence in 2025 following a project determination by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

Mosman Council and key site users have welcomed the decision of the Trust.

The approved project will involve demolishing an existing circa-1980s amenities block and replacing it with a new building.

Council has a longstanding perpetual licence to replace buildings in the area for active sporting purposes and worked collaboratively with stakeholders on a modern replacement for the existing amenities block, which is located on Trust land.

Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber said approval of the longstanding proposal was a great outcome for users of Middle Head, including the children and adults who play sport on the oval.

“This is a great outcome for the community and for active sports users,” Mayor Kimber said.

“This area has long served the community as an important green space and Council has invested significantly in upgrades to the oval.

“Council has worked very closely with sporting and community groups who use the facility to ensure they have an updated facility that will meet their needs into the future.

“We’ve waited a long time for this, and we’re very confident the community is going to love the new building.”

Mosman Football Club President Richard Pike welcomed approval of the new facility.

“The existing toilet block is grossly inadequate when it comes to meeting the needs of sporting clubs and the broader community, particularly for female participants who currently have no suitable change rooms,” he said.

“In an era when our community is embracing women’s sport and encouraging more inclusive participation at all levels of competition, facilities such as the new building at Middle Head Oval are essential.

“It will enhance the Middle Head Oval experience for all visitors in a way that respects the cultural heritage of this site.”

The new facility also aligns with the Trust’s broader vision for Middle Head, as articulated in its recently adopted masterplan.

Council has taken on feedback from the Trust and carefully respected the heritage and environmental values of the site.

Designed by the award-winning architect responsible for the Allan Border Oval Pavilion, Tomek Archer of Archer Office, the new Middle Head Oval amenities block also pays great attention to environmental sustainability.

It will be located on the edge of the sporting field, in close proximity to the existing amenities site and represents a very modest increase in size to the soon-to-be-demolished facility.

No vegetation will be cut down as part of the works.

The modified location and lower overall building height will open up sweeping harbour views at the site, with the overall design complementing the iconic headland location.

Council plans to commence construction of the new facility in 2025.

Information on the project approval is available via the Trust’s website: harbourtrust.gov.au.