The reported approach of a child by an unknown adult at South Windsor sports facilities has prompted a broader discussion about safety at one of the Hawkesbury's busiest sporting precincts, with parents and community members questioning whether infrastructure has kept pace with growing attendance.
As previously reported by the Hawkesbury Gazette, NSW Police are investigating reports that an unknown adult allegedly approached a child and attempted to lead them away from the area during weekend netball activities.
While the police investigation relates to a specific incident, community members say it has highlighted long-standing concerns about traffic management, parking, pedestrian access and crowd movement around the Mileham Street Netball Complex and surrounding sporting facilities.
Roshan D'Souza said the issues were not new and had become increasingly apparent during busy netball weekends.
"The whole area on netball day is a foreseeable safety risk," Mr D'Souza said.
"There is a lack of parking, cars are forced to park ad hoc and wherever space is available, children are running across the road, and traffic is often reminiscent of motorway snarls.
"Parents are trying to do their best given the lack of facilities, nominated crossing points and a traffic management plan."
According to Mr D'Souza, the impact extends well beyond the netball courts themselves.
"Traffic and parking overflow are now affecting nearby businesses and community facilities, including PCYC and the Bligh Park Hotel, because parents attending netball are using those venues as informal parking areas," he said.
"More acutely, the PCYC entrance is routinely being blocked, causing vehicles attempting to exit to become backed up. This creates a further traffic hazard, frustrates normal access to the facility, and may delay emergency or safe vehicle movement if an incident occurs."
Council Has Already Identified Parking Issues
The concerns raised by parents are consistent with issues already identified in Council's own planning documents.
The South Windsor Park Concept Landscape Masterplan consultation identifies opportunities to:
- Upgrade and rationalise parking;
- Create accessible path connections;
- Improve wayfinding and access throughout the precinct; and
- Create clearer entries to key activity zones.
The planning document acknowledges that South Windsor Park is a major recreational destination and that improvements are required to support its growing use.
The issue has also attracted attention during recent upgrades to the Mileham Street Netball Complex, where all 25 courts were resurfaced ahead of the 2026 season.
At the time, Deputy Mayor Sarah McMahon described the facility as one of the Hawkesbury's most heavily used sporting venues.
"Mileham Road Netball Complex is one of our City's most loved and visited sports facilities," Cr McMahon said.
"It is home to the Hawkesbury City Netball Association and during the netball season thousands of players, their families and friends visit every week for games and training."
For some parents, that acknowledgement strengthens the argument that planning for safe access should be treated as a core part of facility management.
More Than Just Playing Surfaces
Mr D'Souza believes the discussion should move beyond the condition of the courts themselves and focus on how the precinct operates under real-world conditions.
"Parents are largely trying to manage the situation within the conditions available to them," he said. "The real issue is whether the infrastructure, parking, access arrangements and operational crowd management around the precinct have kept pace with the number of people using the facility.
"Once a venue is known to attract thousands of players, families and spectators, safe access and movement around the site should be planned for, not left to ad hoc arrangements on the day.
"Council should ensure that 'fit for purpose' includes safe operation under real game day conditions, not just the condition of the playing surface."
A Growing Precinct
The South Windsor sporting precinct hosts netball, PCYC activities and a range of community events throughout the year.
While the resurfacing of the netball courts has been widely welcomed, some residents believe the next stage of investment should focus on supporting infrastructure, including parking, pedestrian safety, traffic management and access arrangements.
The Hawkesbury Gazette has contacted Hawkesbury City Council seeking comment on traffic management, parking capacity, pedestrian safety and any plans arising from the South Windsor Park Concept Landscape Masterplan.
Anyone with information that may assist the police investigation into the reported child approach incident is encouraged to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Related: Police Probe Reported Attempt to Lead Child Away at South Windsor Sports Facilities.
