North Sydney Council considers long-term venue agreement with Cricket Australia

22 November 2024

North Sydney Council is set to consider a proposed Heads of Agreement with Cricket Australia to guide a five-year Venue Hire Agreement for North Sydney Oval and Bon Andrews Oval.

The agreement, if endorsed at the upcoming council meeting, would cover the period from October 2024 to September 2029. According to council documents, the new arrangement aims to address outdated venue hire agreements, increasing operational costs, and the growing demand for open space in North Sydney.

Under the terms of the Heads of Agreement, the council has negotiated greater flexibility in venue availability, allowing for an additional 71 days of community use at NSO and 36 days at Bon Andrews. Previously, “block-out” periods were enforced before and after cricket matches to protect the playing surfaces, significantly limiting other uses. Cricket Australia has reportedly agreed to reduce these restrictions due to the council’s ability to consistently maintain high-quality grounds.

The deal also proposes increased venue hire fees, a financial contribution from CA toward the $175,000 annual cost of maintaining drop-in wickets, and a ticket allocation for the community—100 tickets for Women’s International matches and 50 for WBBL matches.

Council documents note that the new agreement reflects CA’s long-standing association with NSO, particularly in promoting women’s cricket. The venue, described as the “home of women’s cricket,” has hosted State and International matches and remains a sought-after location for other sporting codes and community events.

The council stated the agreement aligns with its commitment to balancing elite sporting content with community access while ensuring the financial sustainability of the ovals.

If approved, the council’s Chief Executive Officer would finalise negotiations with Cricket Australia and formalise the agreement. Key details of the agreement, which are considered commercially sensitive, remain confidential under the Local Government Act.

No community consultation is required for the council’s decision, according to the report.