General News
11 November, 2025
Council adopts sports precinct framework
Gilgandra Shire Council has adopted governance frameworks for the new Hunter Park Sports Precinct.
Gilgandra Shire Council (GSC) has officially moved forward with the highly anticipated Gil Recreation Centre (GRC) Project at the Hunter Park Precinct by adopting key risk management and governance frameworks designed to ensure successful delivery.
Council formally adopted The Gil Recreation Centre Project Risk Management Framework, which is based on national guidelines, to systematically identify and manage uncertainties associated with this major undertaking. This framework defines six critical risk categories: strategic, infrastructure, operational, financial sustainability, governance, and reputation. Crucially, GSC set a minimal risk appetite for governance breaches, demonstrating a strict commitment to compliance. It established a cautious approach to strategic, financial sustainability, and reputation risks, while being open to accepting moderate risks related to infrastructure and operational delivery matters.
Accompanying the framework was the endorsement of a comprehensive project risk assessment detailing significant potential threats. High-rated risks identified include the potential for insufficient project design scope leading to unexpected contract variations and cost overruns, and the threat of inadequate post-construction financial modelling, which could severely underestimate future operational costs. Other major concerns focused on financial stability, such as the commitment of funds impacting council's long-term financial health, and construction risks like excavations severing council and national optic fibre communication lines.
To manage the project across its phases, council adopted a clear governance framework.
Leadership roles are split by phase, with the director of growth and liveability, Neill Alchin, acting as the project sponsor during phase one (consultation and design), and the director of infrastructure, Daryl Colwell, taking responsibility for phase two (construction and delivery).
Community involvement is structured through the newly adopted Hunter Park Precinct Stakeholder Group Charter. This non-decision-making body will provide feedback on design and outcomes, and support advocacy for the project. Councillor Nick White was formally nominated as the council representative to this stakeholder group.
Finally, council noted that while the precinct has been discussed in terms of amenities such as a 50-metre pool, splash pool, basketball courts, a gym, and a youth club, the final development scope does not necessarily include all of those items.
