Northern Beaches Business Park Archives

Cromer Pickleball Centre Moves Closer to Opening With Festival Plans

Cromer’s planned 12-court indoor pickleball centre has taken another step towards becoming an active local venue, with a two-day Northern Beaches Pickleball Festival now planned for the Inman Road facility.

Northern Beaches Council approved DA2025/0961 on 4 December 2025 for the indoor recreation facility at 4–8 Inman Road, within Northern Beaches Business Park on the former Roche Pharmaceuticals site. The consent covers the pickleball arena fitout, fire exit and stairs, ancillary uses and signage.

Cromer News first reported on the $920,700 proposal in 2025, when plans included 12 courts alongside a broader wellness component, café and pro shop.

Festival planned for Cromer

The 2025–26 Events Grants and Sponsorship Program has awarded LVL-UP Sports Pty Ltd $3,500 towards the Northern Beaches Pickleball Festival. The proposed two-day event is planned for Cromer’s new 12-court indoor facility, with free come-and-try clinics, introductory coaching, social doubles, mixed-ability matches and competitive tournament divisions.

Food, fitness and wellness vendors are also planned. About 300 participants and 100 spectators are expected across the weekend. A festival date has not yet been published on the grants page.

Plans changed before approval

The project approved in December differs from the broader concept first lodged with Council. Original planning material described 12 pickleball courts, a mezzanine café, pro shop and ancillary wellness facilities. Earlier, proposed features also included cold plunge pools, saunas and a hyperbaric chamber.

Later planning documents show the plans were amended during assessment. Final traffic advice describes 12 courts with a small wellness area, while the proposed food premises were removed following an environmental health review.

Capacity capped at 58

The 12 indoor courts within Unit 10 remained at the centre of the approved development. Twelve courts could accommodate 48 doubles players on court at once, although the approved conditions cap customers, patrons and visitors at 58 people at any one time.

Planning documents modelled parking demand based on 12 to 26 customers, including spectators, with up to three employees staffing the centre. The final consent set the 58-person customer, patron and visitor limit.

Approved operating hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. The festival’s projected 300 participants and 100 spectators are totals across the weekend, rather than an indication that everyone would attend the venue simultaneously.

Opening date still unclear

The pickleball centre forms part of the ongoing redevelopment of the former Roche Pharmaceuticals complex into Northern Beaches Business Park, where commercial and recreational businesses now operate.

As of press time, the project has yet to identify a confirmed opening date for regular court bookings, while the festival announcement does not specify when the two-day event will be held.

The consent also requires several matters to be completed before an Occupation Certificate can be issued.

Published 28-Sept-2026

New Business Park Revitalises Cromer Landmark

A new era has dawned on the former Roche Pharmaceuticals site in Cromer, with the official opening of the Northern Beaches Business Park marking the transformation of the area into a thriving hub for businesses and the community.

The opening, held on 15 Nov 2023, commenced with an Indigenous Smoking Ceremony, a symbolic gesture of respect and connection to the land. Raymond Weatherall, a member of the Gamilaraay Nation and the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, performed the ceremony, acknowledging the traditional custodians of the area.

The park’s development has brought together key stakeholders, including Richard Crookes Construction (site developers), EG Funds Management (project investors), Wakehurst MP Michael Regan, and Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in a vibrant space that honors the site’s heritage while embracing innovation and sustainability.

A Hub for Youth and Community

The Northern Beaches Business Park encompasses 11 warehouses, four offices, an on-site café, and a self-storage unit, all carefully designed to integrate with the existing landscape. The 26,902 square metre site preserves key structures and associated features of the former Roche headquarters, including the hexagonal tower, an iconic landmark since the 1960s.

Several of the new leaseholders will cater to the younger demographic, bringing exciting facilities to the Northern Beaches.

Precision Golf, an indoor golf driving range and mini putt putt course, swung open its doors on 20 November, offering a fun-filled activity for all ages.

Carlile Swimming is setting up its third learn-to-swim center on the Northern Beaches, providing essential aquatic skills to the community.

Bounce Trampolines, known for their freestyle trampolining adventures, will also be adding their presence to the park.

EG Director Roger Parker acknowledged Roche’s long-standing presence in Cromer, highlighting the company’s contributions to the community.

“From Roche’s first building on this site in 1964, until the business relocated in 2017, many important and life-saving medications were made here,” he stated.

Mr. Parker also expressed gratitude for the support of the Northern Beaches Council in approving the project.

“With their great support, we’re delighted that this first stage of repurposing the Roche site to create the Northern Beaches Business Park is now officially complete.”

Local officials also commended the project’s commitment to conservation.

“The design of the original building and its integration with the landscaping were unique at the time,” Mayor Heins remarked. “I’m pleased to see that this heritage is being embraced and continued.”

A Vision Realized

The Northern Beaches Business Park stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. It represents a transformation not only of a physical space but also of the community’s aspirations. The park’s diverse mix of businesses and facilities promises to revitalize the area, fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Published 22-Nov-2023