Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct Project

Bringing towns, sports, schools and community groups across the shire together

On 28 June 2024, after decades of advocacy and planning by Council and the community, the first stage of the precinct was officially opened.

It will play host to a range of local user groups and sports including AFL, cricket, basketball, netball, badminton, volleyball and futsal, with facilities also available for hire for corporate or social functions to make the precinct a true community space.

With the first stage now complete, detailed design and documentation for the $17 million second stage is continuing and includes a terrific $15 million from the Australian Government. 

Council is continuing to advocate for a final $8 million required for a third stage to include other upgrades within the precinct’s master plan(PDF, 3MB).


Project timeline

2017 to 2019 Plan
Early to mid 2020 Concept design and community consultation
Mid 2020 to May 2021 Schematic design and community consultation
Mid to late 2021 Detailed design and documentation
Late 2021 to mid 2022 Procure construction
Mid 2022 to mid 2024 Build (Stage 1)
Mid 2024

Open (Stage 1)

Designs underway (Stage 2)
Late 2024/Early 2025 Procure construction and start build (Stage 2)
Early - mid 2026 Open (Stage 2)

Latest updates

Stages: Key features and facilities

Stage One - now open for use

On the site located to the west of Barringo Road, the Sports Hub includes:

  • A three-court sports stadium that can cater for basketball, netball, badminton and volley ball
  • Spectator seating
  • Kiosk
  • Sport administration office
  • Associated amenities
  • Car park extension and drop-off area
  • Links to the existing netball courts
  • A pedestrian spine linking to the sports precinct
  • Landscaping including the planting of new trees

On the site located to the east of Barringo Road, the sports and recreation facilities will be constructed that includes:

  • A natural grass AFL/cricket oval
  • Change rooms
  • Pavilion featuring a multi-function space
  • Fitness loop
  • Outdoor fitness equipment
  • Half-court basketball
  • Play ground
  • Outdoor table tennis
  • BBQ areas
  • Wetlands/detention basin
  • A pedestrian spine linking to the sports hub
  • Car parking
  • Landscaping including paths and new trees

Sports oval

Sports oval

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Half court

Half court

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Sports pavilion

Sports pavilion

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Sports Hub inside

Sports Hub inside

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Sports Hub inside

Sports Hub inside

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Sports Hub

Sports Hub

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Sports Hub inside

Sports Hub inside

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Sports Hub inside

Sports Hub inside

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Outdoor table tennis, seating and public barbecue area

Outdoor table tennis, seating and public barbecue area

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Half court and playground area

Half court and playground area

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Playground

Playground

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Sports pavilion

Sports pavilion

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Sports oval and pavilion

Sports oval and pavilion

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Stage Two

Stage Two works are set to include the extension of the sports hub with an additional three multi-sport courts, additional amenities, an additional AFL/cricket oval, two outdoor sports courts, additional car parking and landscaping.

Stage Three

Stage Three works would include other upgrades within the precinct’s master plan such as retractable seating in stadiums, a function and multi-purpose room extension to the sports hub, a canopy connecting existing outdoor netball courts and the sports hub, an extension to the sports pavilion and cricket nets.

Project cost and funding

Stage One

The total budget for Stage One was over $29 million. In addition to about $14.6 million of Council funding, this includes:

  • $11.6 million from the Victorian Government's Local Sports Grant – Major Program
  • $3.2 million from the Victorian Government's Growing Suburbs Fund
  • $377,590 from Melbourne Water from the Liveable Communities Liveable Waterways program
  • $100,000 from AFL Victoria.

Stage Two

The total budget for Stage Two of the precinct is $17m. This includes:

  • $15 million from the Australian Government
  • $2 million from Council.

Stage Three

The total budget for Stage Three of the precinct is anticipated to be $8m. Council is continuing to advocate for external funding sources to fund this stage.

Background

Council has been working closely with local user groups for many years to gain an understanding of sport facility uses and patterns, and develop a shared vision for the future use and development of indoor sports courts and fields across the shire.

While there is a diverse range of leisure and aquatic facilities in the shire (eight indoor sports courts, two fitness centres, two indoor pools and two outdoor pools), a 2009 indoor sports feasibility study identified the need for more sports courts in Gisborne. In 2015 Council entered into a joint usage agreement with Gisborne Secondary College to construct two indoor sports courts. These courts, and other indoor stadiums across the shire, are now operating at near capacity.

Regional Sports Fields Project

In 2017, Council completed the New Gisborne Sports Field Feasibility Study(PDF, 5MB) and concept plan(PDF, 2MB). These publications identified the need for a new oval complex in New Gisborne, including a regional synthetic surface ground and associated buildings and recreational facilities such as walking tracks, cycling, passive recreation spaces and playgrounds.

The study was adopted by Council in December 2017. 

Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub

Also in 2017, Council started work on a feasibility study to determine the current and future needs of indoor sports courts in the Macedon Ranges. It looked at the types and level of current use, future growth and demand, concept planning, costs, locations, business models and design approaches. 

The Regional Sports Hub Feasibility Study Summary(PDF, 17MB) and Regional Sports Hub Feasibility Study(PDF, 11MB)  were endorsed by Council in March 2018.

The Regional Sports Hub concept is envisioned as a four-to-six court indoor stadium and community activity hub in New Gisborne which will service the growing needs of participants across the shire.

Macedon Ranges Regional Netball Complex

The Macedon Ranges Regional Netball Complex, which is located on the west of Barringo Road, was officially opened on the 17 August 2016 in conjunction with the Macedon Ranges Netball Association’s (MRNA) annual tournament day.

The complex has been a dream of the MRNA and former Gisborne Netball Association for over 20 years.  The project was funded by State and Commonwealth funding, council, Bendigo Bank and the MRNA,

The complex consists of 8 outdoor netball courts (2 with lighting), car parking and a new pavilion.

Location

Corner Hamilton Road and Barringo Road, New Gisborne 3438  View Map

Google Map

Contact details

(03) 5421 1469 or (03) 5421 1470
sportsprecinct@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Programs and facilities

Find out more about the facilities on offer on the sports precinct facility page.

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