The draft masterplan developed by Moira Shire Council calls for improvements to playing surfaces, facilities and pedestrian safety.
The plan has been developed with input from sporting clubs as well as the volunteer Community Asset Committee, which manages the reserve on behalf of council.
The precinct is set to continue to host the Yarrawonga Football Netball Club for the foreseeable future, after suggestions of the Pigeons moving to Victoria Park was ruled out in that precinct’s revised 2022 masterplan.
Council chief executive Matthew Morgan said a completed plan would improve the chances of securing funds for works.
“Plans like this help us to have conversations with state and federal governments about unlocking funds to complete improvements, as council and community don’t have the capacity to undertake these improvements ourselves,” Mr Morgan said.
In addition to football and netball, the precinct houses the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club and hosts major tennis events Country Week and the Easter Tennis Tournament, as well as other sports like athletics.
So far the consultation process has yielded a range of issues, including:
• Walking tracks from the carpark to the pavilion, and lighting in carparks.
• An ageing football pavilion, which has a current asset rating of “fair”.
• Limited spectator seating for netball.
• The tennis club entry point, which is currently a long walk from parking.
Development priorities identified in the plan range from spends of $2500 and $5 million and include:
• Replacing four concrete tennis courts ($350,000)
• Replacing football and tennis surface irrigation ($220,000)
• A walking track linking Burley Road to sporting facilities ($25,000)
• Install new LED lighting on netball courts ($125,000).
The 10-year plan includes short, medium and long-term development priorities, with council describing them as a mix of “needed and desirable” improvements.
The plan also makes a preference for multi-use facilities “a key priority”.
Moira Shire Council chair administrator John Tanner, AM, said community feedback was crucial and welcomed.
“Council is eager to gather community feedback on the draft masterplan, to ensure it meets the needs and expectations of the Yarrawonga community and user groups,” he said.
“It’s crucial to receive input to making the reserve a space everyone can enjoy and utilise for many years to come.”
The consultation period closes Friday, June 14.
Go to www.moiramatters.com.au/yarrawonga-jc-lowe-oval-masterplan to submit feedback.
For assistance with the online platform, call council’s customer service team for assistance with the online platform via (03) 5871 9222.
