A new wet weather sports field closure system is in place for the Northern Beaches in time for the winter sports season.

Northern Beaches Council will inspect sports grounds each day during wet weather, including weekends to determine if they are open or closed. That information will then be available through the Council website or phone lines.

Northern Beaches Council Deputy General Manager Ben Taylor said the wet weather web page and phone lines will be updated on weekdays by 8am and again at 3pm should conditions change, with earlier updates at 7am at weekends.

“The decision to keep a ground open or close it will be made according to how wet the weather is, current condition of the field, its impact on the sports field, and the impact of the particular sport on the ground.

“With the winter sports season upon us, sporting organisations are encouraged to communicate the new notification system to their members,” Mr Taylor said.

“This is the first stage of the new integrated wet weather system for Northern Beaches sports fields. We’ll be making more improvements in the coming weeks and months to make it even easier for residents.”

The best way to get an update on the status of all playing fields is available through Council’s website northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au. Residents can also still use the following numbers: Manly and surrounds: Phone 9976 1699 and Palm Beach to Mona Vale: Phone 9970 1236.

Mr Taylor also thanked the many community volunteers who have helped Council staff change fields from summer to winter sports. There are typically over 28,000 registered players of winter sports in the Northern Beaches.

“This is a big job because of the tiny window available between summer and winter sports to prepare more than 120 individual playing surfaces for at least seven different winter sports.

“Northern Beaches Council would like to wish all our winter sports competitors a successful and enjoyable season and to thank all the coaches, volunteers and club administrators for their hard work over many years in providing opportunities for our community to play and enjoy sport across the Northern Beaches,” Mr Taylor said.