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Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at Ku-ring-gai Sportsgrounds and Community Facilities

Ku-ring-gai Council is proposing the installation of up to sixty (60) Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across sportsgrounds and tennis courts, along with up to ten (10) AEDs installed externally to be accessible to the public at its community facilities in the 2026/27 financial year.

The initiative is intended to enhance public safety and emergency response capability across Council-managed assets. It is proposed that the project be funded through a modest increase in hire fees, equitably distributed among sportsground users and hirers of community buildings, halls and tennis courts.

We are now inviting feedback from facility users, clubs and organisations before a final decision is made. You can share your feedback by completing the survey on this page, or by making a written submission.

Feedback closes Tuesday 26 May at 5pm.

About the project

What is an AED?

An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a portable device that delivers an electric shock to restart the heart during cardiac arrest. It is designed to be used by anyone - the device provides clear step-by-step audio and visual instructions, so no medical training is needed. Having an AED on site can make a real difference to survival outcomes in the critical minutes before an ambulance arrives.

What is Council planning?

Council has resolved to install up to 60 AEDs across its sportsgrounds, tennis courts and community facilities. Each unit will be permanently fixed in a publicly accessible cabinet, available to anyone in an emergency - not just during organised sport or booked activities.

How would the AEDs be funded?

To cover the cost of purchasing, installing and maintaining the AEDs, Council needs to recover approximately $174,000 per year. This will be achieved through a modest increase to hire fees, shared across sportsgrounds, tennis courts, and community building and hall hirers. Those affected include sporting clubs, fitness and training groups, dog training groups, community organisations and individual hirers.

It is proposed that these fee increases will be phased in over two financial years, commencing from 1 July 2026.

For each of the two financial years, the following increases will apply in addition to the standard CPI-based increase:

  • Sports fields hire fees: 5.75% per year
  • Tennis courts (including Pickleball) hire fees: 1.10% per year
  • Community halls & meeting rooms hire fees: 2.60% per year

The standard CPI based increase for 2026/27 is 3.9%.

Why are hirers being asked to contribute, rather than all ratepayers?

As the most regular users of Council's sportsground, tennis courts and community facilities, hirers are the group most likely to benefit directly from having an AED on site. Council considers it fair that the cost is shared by those who use the facilities most, rather than spread across the broader ratepayer base.

The AEDs will be publicly accessible at all times so that the wider community also benefits, at no direct cost to them.

  • Have your say on AEDs

    This survey is to understand the community's views on Council's proposal to install publicly available automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in sportsgrounds and community facilities.

    This survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

    Take this survey Take survey without creating an account

Frequently asked questions

Anyone. The AEDs will be publicly accessible at all times — not just when organised sport is taking place.

No. AEDs are designed for use by the general public and provide step-by-step audio and visual instructions.

Council is proposing to install up to 60 AEDs across its sportsgrounds, tennis courts and community facilities. See the council report for more information.

Existing facilities that provide 24/7 externally accessible AEDs have been excluded from this draft delivery program. For risk, servicing and monitoring reasons, not all clubs and associations devices can be made publicly accessible and would be considered on a case- by-case basis.

Your feedback will be included in a report to Council to inform the final decision. If you would like to be notified of the outcome, please provide contact details in the survey or your submission.

These are the primary and most regular users of these facilities and are therefore the group most likely to benefit directly from having an AED on site.

Yes. General community members, including casual facility hirers and users, are encouraged to make written submissions as instructed on this page or through the Revised Delivery Program, Draft Operational Plan, and Revised Resourcing Strategy exhibition. The survey is gear towards regular hirers.

We encourage you to tell us through the survey below or providing a written submission  - quote reference number S09755/14 by:

  • Email: krg@krg.nsw.gov.au
  • Mail: General Manager, Ku-ring-gai Council, Locked Bag 1006 Gordon NSW 2072.

Have your say

Get involved

Community feedback on this proposal is open until Tuesday 26 May. You can share your views by:

  1. Completing the online survey on this page
  2. Providing a written submission  - quote reference number S09755/14 by:
    • Email: krg@krg.nsw.gov.au
    • Mail: General Manager, Ku-ring-gai Council, 818 Pacific Highway, Gordon NSW 2072.

Note that all written submissions are public documents and will be considered in a final report to Council.

What's next

  • Consideration by Council of community consultation results.
  • Implementation: from 1 July 2026 - if endorsed following consultation, the fee increases would be introduced gradually over two years beginning 1 July 2026, with AED installations to follow.

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Call us using an interpreter
To call us using an interpreter service, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450, and ask them to call us on 9424 0000.

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Resources

Enquiries

Timeline

  • icon
    Council considers report Community Access to AEDs - 17 March 2026

    Information about providing community access to AEDs across Council facilities.
  • icon
    Community consultation on AED role-out and costs - NOW LIVE

    Closes 26 May at 5pm.
  • icon
    Council consideration of AED proposals - June 2026

    To be considered at Ordinary Meeting of Council 
  • icon
    Roll-out of AED installation - 2026-27 financial year

    Roll-out in stages if approved by Council.

 

Need an interpreter? Please phone the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 9424 0000.


If you are d/Deaf or find it hard to hear or speak to hearing people on the phone, you can contact the National Relay Service and provide them with the Ku-ring-gai contact number: 02 9424 0000.