The ACT Government is seeking community feedback on reactivating several dryland ovals to increase sports ground capacity across Canberra.
From today, sporting organisations, peak bodies, and recreational users are invited to share their views on reactivating these ovals for formal sporting use including restoring irrigation.
Five dryland ovals have been identified through an initial assessment of 32 sites across Canberra as potential options to complement nearby sporting facilities and increase future sportsground capacity:
These sites were short-listed by the City and Environment Directorate because they each possess key features that could support future reactivation, including car parking availability, deactivated toilet facilities or space for new amenities, and existing irrigation infrastructure that could be recommissioned.
Several other factors are being considered alongside the potential reactivation of these dryland ovals, including weather and environmental conditions, seasonal closures, targeted remediation, maintenance programs, and the allocation and availability of surrounding supporting facilities.
Importantly, these ovals also serve a role beyond formal sporting use. Local knowledge and input will be critical to understanding the full picture of how these ovals are used now, and how they can potentially be used in the future.
Any future upgrades or reactivation is subject to consultation outcomes and future government funding. Planning for future restoration of other dryland ovals also forms part of the consultation on the Southern Gateway corridor.
For more information and to have your say on expanding dryland oval use, visit yoursayconversations.act.gov.au to complete the survey.
Consultation closes on Monday, 12 October 2026.
Quotes attributable: Chris Steel, Minister for Sport and Recreation
“With a growing population and participation in sport, the ACT Government is looking at options to provide additional capacity for organised sport and higher quality green spaces for informal use.
“The restoration of dryland ovals, which were switched off in the millennium drought, could mean more opportunities for local sporting clubs to support their growth. It could also take pressure off existing ovals and ensure those grounds are of a higher quality through the season.
“It is equally important that the needs of the recreational users of these ovals, the locals who take their dog for a walk or who come down for a kick of the footy, are heard in the future of these sites.
“As we plan for people living within our existing urban footprint this is an opportunity to ensure that we enhance the quality of our existing public and recreational spaces for new and existing residents.
“I encourage everyone with an interest in these ovals or sports grounds to have your say.”