Big plans for sports fields

Council votes to pursue upgrades

PLANS to redevelop two Geelong sporting fields took a major step forward on Tuesday night.

At a meeting in Belmont, Geelong councillors voted unanimously in favour of progressing plans to overhaul West Oval and Herne Hill Reserve.

It means the proposals will now be opened up for community consultation.

Multimillion-dollar redevelopments have been touted for each of the sporting grounds, which are home to a range of sports including football, cricket and netball.

If the plans at West Oval are given the green light, it is likely to see the relocation of the velodrome track, which currently sits around the field perimeter.

Councillors at Tuesday’s meeting stressed the track would only be moved if an- other found.

The architects behind the oval’s master plan have proposed installing terraces in its place to cater for spectators.

The upgrades at both grounds, if realised, would also see new pavilions installed.

Councillor Eddy Kontelj said the master plans were long overdue.

“Over the years, there’s no doubt the clubs have had to endure inadequate conditions,” he said. “At West Oval, you’ve only got to look at the changerooms to see how much an upgrade is needed.”

Acting mayor Peter Murrihy recalled West Oval’s hosting of VFA matches several decades ago.

“I don’t think the ground or facilities have changed much at all since those days, which says a lot,” he said.

The cost of upgrading West Oval is estimated to be $10 million, while $4 million would be required to overhaul Herne viable location was Hill Reserve. Geelong council has indicated a funding partnership would be needed to pay for the projects, with contributions sought from state and federal governments, along with local sporting clubs.

Councillors have also thrown their support behind major new infrastructure projects in central Geelong.

A motion was passed to back the Central Geelong Community Infrastructure Final Report, which identifies projects needed to support central Geelong’s expected population boom — tipped to reach 10,000 by 2028.

A multi-storey primary school in the CBD headlines a number of possible projects identified in the report.

Councillor Sarah Mansfield said the plan to develop the city’s centre was desperately needed.

“We need a lot more infrastructure and will need support from governments to realise this,” she said.