NSW Health Infrastructure is leaving hundreds of school children and soccer players high and dry, while it conducts intrusive onsite drilling at Bankstown Sporting Complex.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said Council was notified that the facility would be closed, from 20-28 May, mere days before the drilling was to begin.

“That’s right, they’ve booted out hundreds of our soccer players, school children and the community from using the facility,” Mayor Asfour said.

“No proper warning, no community engagement and no explanation. They’ve even got the hide to tell us they will be continuing their surveying until Friday 4 June.

“Now Council is once again scrambling to find alternative parks for those who had pre-booked the fields.”

The area that’s being tested is a former brick pit that was filled in in the early 70s.

“Many years ago it was packed with tyres and many locals say asbestos from the many fibro homes that existed in the area,” Mayor Asfour said.

“One can only assume the Government has its eyes on this location, likely filled with contaminants and asbestos, as the site for their new hospital.”

Local schools and sporting groups affected by the forced closure include:

• Bankstown Sports Stars FC;
• Bankstown City Netball Association;
• Bankstown Sports Netball Club;
• Condell Park Christian School;
• St Euphemia College; and
• Bankstown Senior College.