Contractors, schedules set

Works to construct netball courts at Horsham City Oval will get underway within about two months.

Horsham Rural City Council has awarded Horsham builders Locks Constructions a contract to build two new netball courts and shelters, and install LED lighting, at a cost of $880,000 plus GST. A future contract, yet to be issued, will construct a community pavilion and netball changerooms.

The timing of works must carefully align with upgrades to the councilrun Jubilee Hall, in Roberts Avenue, to allow Horsham Rural City Band to relocate to the premises before its current hall, on O’callaghan Parade, is demolished. Horsham Pipe Band will also relocate to Jubilee Hall from its current location on the Firebrace Street side of City Oval.

Mayor Robyn Gulline said the council confirmed Locks Constructions as the successful tender at a meeting on

Monday. “It was an open competitive tender, and they were the best value for money,” she said.

“We follow our procurement policy to the letter to ensure it is competitive and we get value for money for our ratepayers.”

Cr Gulline said community consultation regarding Horsham Rural City Band’s proposed 25-year lease of a rehearsal space at Jubilee Hall had closed.

She expected upgrades to purposefit Jubilee Hall for the bands’ use would finish in March or April, at which time the City Oval works could begin.

It will come as the council continues its nature water-play park, along the Wimmera River near Horsham Riverside Caravan Park, and the Hamilton Street pedestrian bridge, which connects Waterlink Estate to properties near St Brigid’s College.

Cr Gulline said user groups, working with state bodies, had shaped plans for the City Oval redevelopment.

The federal and state governments and the council will fund the project.

“We’ve worked really closely with netball and football to limit the impact on the season,” Cr Gulline said.

“These are big changes, and it’s short-term pain for the long-term gain.

“The facilities they are currently using are not meeting their needs, which is a source of incredible frustration.”

Cr Gulline said works were scheduled for completion in September.

She said Horsham Demons netballers would, in the meantime, use netball courts at St Brigid’s College for home games and were discussing options for a suitable training location.

She said improved facilities would increase opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport and ensure the city’s premier facility met future needs.

“Netball has the highest participation rate of girls in the Wimmera, so it’s important we provide good facilities,” she said.

The council also awarded a contract to MS and JL Wilmore Pty Ltd – also known as Wilmore Contractors – to complete kerbing and channel works along Hocking Street costing almost $570,000 plus GST.

Council staff will schedule works according to broader project management timelines.

Cr Gulline said engineers had designed the works so native vegetation would remain undisturbed. Mostly angle-parking, with some parallel parking, will become marked along the street.

Projects listed within the City Oval and Sawyer Park redevelopment also include football changerooms, an accessible grandstand, a bigger playing oval and a playground area.

A future stage of works involves land including Horsham’s Men Shed. The building will remain unaffected at this time.

The redevelopment is the second stage of the council’s City to River Masterplan.