Opening an amenity block isn't as exciting as opening a brand new world-standard skatepark, but it is a necessity, especially after many were damaged in the 2022 big flood.

Member for Lismore and Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin joked that she knew all of the amenity blocks in the Lismore electorate as she drives it regularly, and she was happy they were being replaced.

Sam Trimble Oval at Bexhill was the venue for yesterday's opening. It was the sixth new public amenities block opened in the past month, marking great progress in its goal of enhancing the comfort and accessibility of parks and rest stops in the community.

Council received $7.5 million through the Community Assets Program, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, to upgrade 20 public amenities across the Lismore Local Government Area.

The six newly completed facilities in Lismore are located at:

• Nielson Park and Wade Park in East Lismore
• McKenzie Park in North Lismore
• Nesbitt Park Cricket and Lismore Lake in South Lismore
• Sam Trimble Oval in Bexhill

Combined, these represent an almost $2.5 million investment in Lismore.

Their debut follows the recent completion of new amenities blocks at Heritage Park and Riverview Park. Other facilities under construction include Lismore Railway Station and Nesbitt Park Playground.

External designs and fixtures have been replicated across several sites, with floor plans adjusted to suit each location. This allows for improved maintenance and accessibility, with all now meeting current disability and ambulant access standards.

“We listened to our residents, and we delivered,” says Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg.

“It might not be the flashiest ribbon-cutting we’ve ever done, but it’s a big step forward for the community, and will make a real difference for families, seniors, and visitors alike.”

(Left to Right: New Bexhill Amenities with canteen. Lismore City Council's Project Manager of Buildings, Hamish Bell, Bexhill Quarry Parklands Association, Des Harris, Bennett Constructions Steve Taylor, Kate Haber and Mick Furchtman, and Lismore City Council's Building Surveillance Officer, Steve Dillon and Mayor Steve Krieg.)

Mayor Krieg said council received feedback from one person concerned about the new septic system potentially going underwater again.

"You've got to weigh up the pros against the cons. And if you drive past this oval anytime over the weekend, there's the cricket club that uses it and the school that uses it. You can see it's marked out at the moment for the athletics for the school. So, it's a well-used sporting facility."

With Bexhill selling 45 new housing sites to the east of Bangalow Road near the shops and post office. It is likely the new facility will get a lot more use over the next five years.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the NSW Government will continue to deliver essential and practical services and amenities, like the toilets that we all need to use. 

“It is important that they are built back better with state and federal disaster funding.” 

For more information on public amenities upgrades, visit https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Council/Projects/Current-projects-1/Lismore-Public-Toilet-upgrades