Sporting and Leisure Facilities Neighbourhood Community ...

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityInfrastructure PrioritiesFact Sheet: Thomastown Recreation & Aquatic CentreOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. This growthis predicted to remain strong for the next 25 years ormore with a projected increase in our population to240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne. TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities. TheCity provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision offacilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices. However, the provision of facilities andinfrastructure is not keeping pace with populationgrowth and demand. Increased State Governmentinvestment in social infrastructure is essential toachieve a basic level of service provision.The NeedThe Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre(TRAC) is a well established, community leisurecentre in an area of the municipality where many ofthe residents are economically disadvantaged and/orfrom non-English speaking backgrounds.Thomastown is amongst the most disadvantagedsuburbs in Victoria, ranking in the lowest decile onthe SEIFA indices of relative socio-economicDisadvantage and the index of Education andOccupation.The Centre is part of a precinct, which also includesthe Thomastown Library and Community Centre andMain Street Reserve sports oval. A preschool,primary school and secondary school are near by,enhancing the precinct.TRAC has operated for more than 30 years andCouncil has identified the need to reconsider theappropriateness of the Centre and its facilities for thecommunity. To this end, consultation with users,members and community groups was conductedthrough workshops and focus groups.The centre is undergoing a significant redevelopmentto create a modern, new aquatic and communityrecreation centre with a mix of facilities for people torecreate, learn, improve their health and fitness, andsocialise. A key element of the redevelopment is thecreation of a physical link between the existingCentre and the Thomastown Library and CommunityCentre to enhance the site as a community hub.The ProposalThe space has been designed with the needs of thecommunity in mind as well as to complement andenhance the ongoing precinct planning andpartnership opportunities.

The TRAC Outdoor Activities Area will be a versatile,multi-generational activities area that will cater for abroad range of community users.A beach experience is the overriding theme of theoutdoor space which provides spaces for all agesand abilities to interact and experience sporting,water play, socialising, relaxing, and communityevent opportunities.A key focus of the outdoor space is a large openbeach which can provide outdoor sport and fitnesstraining, play and social opportunities as well as softfall for a mix of play equipment.A deck will be a colourful all abilities path attractingpatrons into the outdoor space and creating aboundary for the sand area and an clear journey tothe various social areas throughout the outdoorspace.Water terraces will provide a unique waterexperience that complements (rather than replicates)what is being provided indoors.The play spaces include: a toddlers’ area with a mixof climbing, interactive and wet sand opportunities; alarger more challenging climbing rope for olderchildren and sensory garden areas for further playand interaction.A media screen offers an exciting element that isevolutionary and can be adapted to meet the interestand needs of today’s youth as well as futuregenerations.The screen structure also incorporates a boulderingwall which can be used by everyone for both playand fitness.Open space and hard court areas allow for informalactive and passive recreational and sportingopportunities.Elements such as seating, BBQs, and shade havebeen strategically placed throughout the space tocreate a number of social hubs and to provide sunprotection options.CostThe development of the outdoor activities area isexpected to cost approximately $1.06M.The City of Whittlesea has received a $2.5M grantfrom the State Government’s Community FacilityFunding Program 2008/2009 (Aquatic Access/BetterPools) for the full redevelopment of the centreincorporating the outdoor space.Council will also be seeking financial assistance forthe project from the Department of Planning andCommunity Development’s Community SupportFund.State Government Policy AlignmentA Fairer Victoria:Strategy 5: Providing fairer access to services“The Victorian Government will invest $6.1m topromote fairer access to services and reduce barriersto accessing services”Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund.”“The Community Facility Funding Programcontributes to the provision of high quality andaccessible community sport and recreation facilitiesacross Victoria.”A Fairer Victoria: Strong People, StrongCommunitiesPriority Area Three: Improving Health andWellbeing – Reducing health inequalities andpromoting wellbeing‘Much more can be achieved through targetedinvestments to reduce the unfair burden of diseaseon disadvantaged Victorians. Tackling the causes ofpreventable disease by encouraging physical activity….and the wellbeing and life options of people with adisability are among the important challenges.’2

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityInfrastructure PrioritiesFact Sheet: City of Whittlesea Access for All Abilities(AAA) Playground DevelopmentOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. This growthis predicted to remain strong for the next 25 years ormore with a projected increase in our population to240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne. TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.infrastructure is not keeping pace with populationgrowth and demand.Increased State Government investment in socialinfrastructure is essential to achieve a basic level ofservice provision.The NeedA key recommendation of Council All Abilities PlaySpace Strategy is to provide one municipal AAA playspace in the Mill Park/South Morang/Bundoora area.The City of Whittlesea does not currently have anyplay equipment specifically designed to be accessiblefor people with disabilities. Action 1.8.1 of theDisability Action Plan adopted by Council inDecember 2003 strongly supports the provision ofaccessible and inclusive playgrounds within themunicipality.The proposal will include an extensive and relevantcommunity consultation process that will influencethe design and development of the playground,taking into consideration different levels of play spaceand design approaches.CostThe estimated cost of this project is $700K.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities. TheCity provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision offacilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices. However, the provision of facilities and

State Government Policy AlignmentA Fairer Victoria:Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund.”Growing Victoria Together:High quality, accessible health and communityservices.“The health of Victorians will improve.”Department for Vic. Communities – SRV –Community Facility Funding Program“The Community Facility Funding Programcontributes to the provision of high quality andaccessible community sport and recreation facilitiesacross Victoria.”2

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityPrioritiesFact Sheet: Laurimar Primary School Synthetic JuniorSoccer PitchOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. This growthis predicted to remain strong for the next 25 years ormore with a projected increase in our population to240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne. TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities. TheCity provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision offacilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices. However, the provision of facilities andinfrastructure is not keeping pace with populationgrowth and demand.Increased State Government investment in socialinfrastructure is essential to achieve a basic level ofservice provision.The NeedLaurimar is located in the rapidly developing growtharea of Mernda. The Laurimar Estate is currently insecond stage development which includes acommunity and commercial precinct.The Laurimar Primary School (currently underconstruction) is situated centrally within thecommunity and commercial precinct and is directlynext to the Laurimar Town Park which will consist of2 Australian Rules Football and Cricket ovals andassociated infrastructure.The School’s Master Plan includes a future proposedsynthetic soccer pitch which will be used for schoolsports activities and potential community sportparticipation during after school hours and weekendperiods.Council will negotiate a shared use agreement andmanagement plan with the Laurimar Primary Schoolto ensure clear roles and responsibilities of all partiesare developed and relevant community use issustained.CostThe estimated cost of this project is $800K.

State Government Policy AlignmentA Fairer Victoria:Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund.”Growing Victoria Together:High quality, accessible health and communityservices.“The health of Victorians will improve.”Department for Vic. Communities – SRV –Community Facility Funding Program“The Community Facility Funding Programcontributes to the provision of high quality andaccessible community sport and recreation facilitiesacross Victoria.”2

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityInfrastructure PrioritiesFact Sheet: Laurimar Town Park Sports PavilionDevelopmentOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. This growthis predicted to remain strong for the next 25 years ormore with a projected increase in our population to240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne. TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities.facilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices.However, the provision of facilities and infrastructureis not keeping pace with population growth anddemand. Increased State Government investment insocial infrastructure is essential to achieve a basiclevel of service provision.The NeedLaurimar is located in the rapidly developing growtharea of Mernda. The Laurimar Estate is currently insecond stage development which includes acommunity and commercial precinct.The Laurimar Town Park is situated centrally withinthe community and commercial precinct and isdirectly next to the Laurimar Primary School(currently under construction).The Park currently consists of 2 sports ovals with thecapacity to cater for Australian Rules Football andCricket at both senior and junior levels. The ovalswere constructed & funded through developercontributions.To allow the reserve to be utilised to its full potentialfor organised community sport, a pavilion isnecessary for club operations and fundraisingpurposes.It is anticipated that an established sports club will berelocated to the facility to further develop andenhance community sports participation, strengthenjunior development programs through links with thenew primary school, promote a healthy and activelifestyle and ensure success through thesustainability and longevity of existing resources.The City provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision of

Built according to Council’s adopted guidelines forthe design of sporting pavilions, the scope of thefacility will be as follows:Core ComponentRecommendedArea AllocationChange rooms (2) 120m 2Change room shower and toilets 60m 2Umpires rooms (including shower & 22m 2toilets)Public toilets (male, female,45m 2accessible – Internal & external)Social area 50m 2Kitchen 30m 2Storage (total club storage) 30m 2External covered viewing area 200m 2Timekeepers/Scorers 10m 2Meeting/first aid room 20m 2Cleaners Store/Hot Water Units 8m 2External bin enclosure 10m 2Sealed car parkingUp to 120 spacesCostIt is estimated that this project will cost $3.5M todesign and construct.State Government Policy AlignmentA Fairer Victoria:Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund”.Growing Victoria Together:High quality, accessible health and communityservices.“The health of Victorians will improve”.Department for Vic. Communities – SRV –Community Facility Funding Program“The Community Facility Funding Programcontributes to the provision of high quality andaccessible community sport and recreation facilitiesacross Victoria.”A Fairer Victoria: Strong People, StrongCommunitiesPriority Area Three: Improving Health andWellbeing – Reducing health inequalities andpromoting wellbeing‘Much more can be achieved through targetedinvestments to reduce the unfair burden of diseaseon disadvantaged Victorians. Tackling the causes ofpreventable disease by encouraging physical activity….and the wellbeing and life options of people with adisability are among the important challenges.’2

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityInfrastructure PrioritiesFact Sheet: Harvest Home Road Sports Ground LightingOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. This growthis predicted to remain strong for the next 25 years ormore with a projected increase in our population to240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne. TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.investment in social infrastructure is essential toachieve a basic level of service provision.The NeedTwo turf soccer pitches at Harvest Home RoadEpping have been developed to meet the growingdemand for soccer facilities within the municipality.To enable the pitches to be fully utilised as a trainingand competition venue, the provision of sportsground lighting is essential to the operations and useof the club. The Harvest Home facility is a Councilmanaged regional facility. It is a high quality, flexibleand relevant facility that caters for a diverse range ofsoccer activities throughout the municipality at alllevels of competition and training.Proposal and CostThis project will be undertaken in 2009/10 with anexpected cost of approximately $300,000. Thelighting design will meet the Australian Standards forsports ground lighting and incorporate principles forthe sustainable use of natural resources whileproviding much needed infrastructure for a highdemand sport in a growth area of the municipality.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities. TheCity provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision offacilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices. However, the provision of facilities andinfrastructure is not keeping pace with populationgrowth and demand. Increased State Government

State Government Policy AlignmentA Fairer Victoria:Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund”.Growing Victoria Together:High quality, accessible health and communityservices.“The health of Victorians will improve.”Department for Vic. Communities – SRV –Community Facility Funding Program“The Community Facility Funding Programcontributes to the provision of high quality andaccessible community sport and recreation facilitiesacross Victoria.”2

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityInfrastructure PrioritiesFact Sheet: Harvest Home Road Soccer PavilionDevelopmentOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. This growthis predicted to remain strong for the next 25 years ormore with a projected increase in our population to240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne. TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.However, the provision of facilities and infrastructureis not keeping pace with population growth anddemand. Increased State Government investment insocial infrastructure is essential to achieve a basiclevel of service provision.The Need and ProposalTwo turf and one synthetic soccer pitches at HarvestHome Road Epping have been developed to meetthe growing demand for soccer facilities within themunicipality. To enable the pitches to be fully utilisedas a training and competition venue, the provision ofa sporting pavilion is essential to the operations anduse of the club.The Harvest Home facility is a Council managedregional facility. It is a high quality, flexible andrelevant facility that caters for a diverse range ofsoccer activities throughout the municipality at alllevels of competition and training. The design andconsequent management of the facility will enable anumber of community clubs to conduct training andmatches at the same time whilst also allowing theclubs to undertake the important social andfundraising aspects of organised community sportsoperations.CostIt is anticipated that the cost of designing andconstructing the pavilion is $2.5M.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities.The City provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision offacilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices.

State Government Policy AlignmentA Fairer Victoria:Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund”.Growing Victoria Together:High quality, accessible health and communityservices.“The health of Victorians will improve.”Department for Vic. Communities – SRV –Community Facility Funding Program“The Community Facility Funding Programcontributes to the provision of high quality andaccessible community sport and recreation facilitiesacross Victoria.”2

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityInfrastructure PrioritiesFact Sheet: Sycamore Reserve Sports FieldReconfigurationOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. This growthis predicted to remain strong for the next 25 years ormore with a projected increase in our population to240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne. TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities. TheCity provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision offacilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices. However, the provision of facilities andinfrastructure is not keeping pace with populationgrowth and demand.Increased State Government investment in socialinfrastructure is essential to achieve a basic level ofservice provision.The Need and ProposalThe Sycamore Reserve is situated in Mill Park.Council proposes to reconfigure the SycamoreReserve sports field to cater for changing demandsof the local area, more adequately meet the needs oflocal residents and provide opportunities forincreased participation in growing sports. TheSycamore Reserve is a very important parcel ofactive open space because of its size and potential tocater for a number of simultaneous activities bothstructured and unstructured. It is imperative that thisreserve continues to cater for the changing needs ofthe community.The facility has been targeted for upgrade as it nolonger caters for the growing and changing needs ofusers. The upgrade will improve access andopportunities to the community in engaging inrecreation and leisure activities, including DDAcompliance.The configuration of the ovals is inadequate to meetthe needs of the community. The whole site will beredeveloped to create two cricket and football ovalswith the soccer club being relocated to another, moresuitable facility.Cost$1.1M is being sought towards the total cost of theproject. The timeline for completion is 2010/11.

State Government Policy AlignmentA Fairer Victoria:Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund”.Growing Victoria Together:High quality, accessible health and communityservices“The health of Victorians will improve.”Department for Vic. Communities – SRV –Community Facility Funding Program“The Community Facility Funding Programcontributes to the provision of high quality andaccessible community sport and recreation facilitiesacross Victoria.”2

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityInfrastructure PrioritiesFact Sheet: Sycamore Reserve BMX Club Pavilionand Toilet UpgradeOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. This growthis predicted to remain strong for the next 25 years ormore with a projected increase in our population to240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities. TheCity provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision offacilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices. However, the provision of facilities andinfrastructure is not keeping pace with populationgrowth and demand.Increased State Government investment in socialinfrastructure is essential to achieve a basic level ofservice provision.The NeedThe existing pavilion on the site does not meet theneeds of its users. The ongoing provision of apavilion for the BMX club is regarded as a highpriority as the club provides both structured andunstructured community opportunities in an emergingsport. The club regularly holds state and nationalchampionship events.The facility has been targeted for upgrade as it nolonger caters for the growing and changing needs ofusers. The upgrade will improve access andopportunities to the community in engaging inrecreation and leisure activities. Upgrading will bringthe facilities in line with current day communitystandards and expectations, including DDAcompliance. All works will incorporate measures for:• Sustainable use of natural resources.• All abilities access requirements.• Community safety and security.• Providing a much needed infrastructure upgradefor an emerging sport that caters for diverseparticipation, especially juniors and girls in asocially disadvantaged area of the municipality.Proposal and Cost$500K is being sought towards the total cost of theproject. Design for this facility will be undertaken in2008/09 and construction will take place in 2009/10.

State Government Policy Alignment:A Fairer Victoria:Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund”.Growing Victoria Together:High quality, accessible health and communityservices.“The health of Victorians will improve.”2

Sporting and Leisure FacilitiesNeighbourhood CommunityInfrastructure PrioritiesFact Sheet: WA Smith Reserve Sports FieldsReconstructionOur MunicipalityThe City of Whittlesea is located 20km north ofMelbourne. It is a large municipality covering an areaof 490 square km of both urban and rural land andhas a current population of over 134,000. The Cityincludes the suburbs of Bundoora, Donnybrook,Doreen, Eden Park, Epping, Humevale, KinglakeWest, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang,Thomastown and Whittlesea. The City of Whittleseais a designated growth area and is experiencing asustained period of rapid urban growth, particularlyon the urban fringe. Since 2001 around 16,000people have moved in to the municipality and over9,500 extra dwellings have come on line. Thisgrowth is predicted to remain strong for the next 25years or more with a projected increase in ourpopulation to 240,000 by 2031.The municipality faces the distinctive challenges ofbalancing the dynamics of urban areas, rural areas,rapid growth, social disadvantage and high demandfor services. The City has one of the most culturallydiverse populations, with over 48% of residentscoming from non-English speaking backgrounds.Whittlesea has also the fourth highest population ofIndigenous people in metropolitan Melbourne. TheCity of Whittlesea is characterised by pockets of highsocio-economic disadvantage, ranking the sixth mostdisadvantaged on the SEIFA Index of Disadvantageand the fourth most disadvantaged on the Index ofEducation and Occupation.To accommodate this growth, diversity and highservice demand, the City requires practicalresponses that balance community development,economic growth and environmental wellbeing.infrastructure is not keeping pace with populationgrowth and demand.Increased State Government investment in socialinfrastructure is essential to achieve a basic level ofservice provision.The NeedThe facility has been targeted for upgrade as it nolonger caters for the growing and changing needs ofusers. The upgrade will improve access andopportunities to the community in engaging inrecreation and leisure activities, including DDAcompliance.Council proposes to reconstruct the WA SmithReserve sports fields to resolve the overlapping ofthe two fields and any associated potential riskmanagement issues. Other changes will includeupgrading the pavilion, moving the playground to amore suitable location and extending the carpark.The reconstruction project will encourage furtherdevelopment in sports participation and anopportunity to develop a diverse range of formal andinformal sport and recreation opportunities at WASmith Reserve.Cost$800K is being sought towards the total cost of theproject. The timeline for completion is 2008/09.Insufficient resources, because of inappropriatefunding formulae, have failed to keep up withpopulation growth resulting in a backlog ofcommunity infrastructure renewal and creation withinboth established and emerging communities. TheCity provides a range of recreation participationopportunities for residents through the provision offacilities, public infrastructure, programs andservices. However, the provision of facilities and

State Government Policy AlignmentA Fairer Victoria:Strategy 12: Building stronger communitiesAction 12.8 Support new community projects“Continue to provide support for community projectsthrough the Community Support Fund.”Growing Victoria Together:High quality, accessible health and communityservices.“The health of Victorians will improve.”Department for Vic. Communities – SRV –Community Facility Funding Program“The Community Facility Funding Programcontributes to the provision of high quality andaccessible community sport and recreation facilitiesacross Victoria.”2