Some Locals Oppose Proposed Amenities and Field Upgrade at Clovelly Crocs Home

The proposed upgrading of amenities and field at Burrows Park, the home ground of the Clovelly Crocs Junior Rugby League Club, has met strong opposition from some community members who have raised several concerns about the plans. 



Burrows Park, its sports field, and associated amenities building, have been proposed to undergo an upgrade as the building is deemed old and non-compliant with current building codes. 

The upgrade would also mean that the ground, which is currently smaller than the NRL standard size, will be extended by 10 metres to allow U13-aged teams and above to play games at Burrows Park.

Council is reported to have allocated $250,000 to investigate the project which is expected to cost about $4 million to deliver.

“This upgrade is essential to retaining and attracting participation in the local Rugby sporting codes and community-based sport, including continuing to grow female participation which has seen significant growth over the past 3 years,” the Clovelly Crocs statement last October 2022 reads.

It will also ensure the continued survival of both the Clovelly Crocodiles and Clovelly Eagles. The Clovelly Crocodiles have been based at Burrows Park since inception and with over 100 years of history in our local Clovelly community, this essential upgrade will ensure the success of the club for many more years to come.”

Just recently, though, the Crocs has reportedly abandoned the plans to have the sportsfield expanded following a strong opposition from some residents who raised several issues against the proposal. The club, however, would still support the ground re-turfing and upgrading the facilities at Burrows Park.

Some of those who oppose the proposal fear that the field becoming bigger would mean that it would be used by the Sydney Roosters.

Likewise, Friends of Burrows Park said that residents, as well as recreational users of the space including runners, dog walkers, bird watchers and beachgoers, are opposed to the idea. These groups are said to be concerned that the dog park would later be used as a parking area to accommodate the expected increase in the number of visitors.

Locals also fear that the project would impact their quiet enjoyment of their homes and the recreational space, given the noise and parking congestion the project would create. 

Clovelly Eagles, which also uses the ground, is said to be opposed to the proposed upgrade as well.



In its announcement last October 2022, Council said that residents will be consulted about the proposal once a scope and concept have been developed.

Burrows Park Field Upgrade Now in Initial Design Investigation Phase

An initial design investigation has been launched on the proposed amenities and field upgrade at Burrows Park in Clovelly, after the existing amenities building was found to be ‘old and non-compliant’ during a recent Council inspection.



Located immediately north of Clovelly Beach, Burrows Park Sportsfield features a football field, toilets block and picnic shelters.

Randwick City Council has deemed the existing amenities building as old and non-compliant with current building codes. Funding has been allocated to investigate upgrading the building for it to better meet the needs of local juniors utilising the field.

Although Council has announced the commencement of the initial design investigation on the proposed project. At this stage, no design brief or project scope has yet been confirmed. 

Representatives from the junior sporting clubs that currently use the park were invited to a meeting organised by the Council to help better understand their needs and challenges, in preparation for design work and community consultation.

Some of the early feedback gathered from the meeting includes the concern that the sub-standard size of the playing field prevents children 13 years and older from playing rugby league, prompting them to seek other fields to play home games. 



The possibility of providing a standard and compliant NRL-sized field to accommodate junior games for over 13s will now form part of the design brief investigation currently underway.

However, further investigation needs to be completed to determine whether this will be included or excluded from the final project scope.

Randwick City Council is encouraging interested residents to register at the Your Say Randwick website. Once the consultation has commenced, all subscribers will be notified and invited to participate.

Burrows Park is bounded to the east by an area of remnant vegetation and to the south by the cliff top at the edge of Clovelly Bay. Walkers and joggers frequent the park for their daily exercises which also features a free outdoor gym. It is also home to the Clovelly Bowling Club.

Burrows Park Outdoor Gym in Clovelly to Close for 2-Week Repair Work

Do you use the facilities at the Burrows Park outdoor gym? You might have to make some changes to your fitness plan for the next two weeks as the Clovelly facilities will be temporarily closed beginning 9 Nov 2020, the Randwick City Council announced.

The Burrows Park outdoor gym will undergo some much-needed repair work of its rubber softfall surface. Other miscellaneous civil work will also be undertaken to maintain the lifespan of the equipment.



The facility has 18 low-impact and cardio equipment, which residents may use without paying for a gym membership: 

  • Treadmill
  • Oblique
  • Chest Press
  • Seated Row
  • Lateral Pull Down
  • Shoulder Press
  • Bench
  • Leg press
  • Triple Pull Up
  • Plyometric Box Set
  • Pull Up
  • Assisted Pull up
  • Dips
  • Leg Raise
  • Hand Bike
  • Spinning Bike
  • Cross Trainer
  • Recumbent Bike
Photo Credit: Michael Simons/Google Maps

Whilst civil works are ongoing, traffic calming options around the Ocean St sportsfield, including areas near the Coastal Walkway and Clovelly Bowling Club, will be installed for the safety of motorists, pedestrians and contractors. 

The Burrows Park outdoor gym opened in 2014 and it’s the second free fitness facility established in Randwick City after Maroubra Beach’s outdoor gym.