Council endorses increased winter usage for Elsternwick Park
Explore Councils by state
Oval 3 at Elsternwick Park will remain unchanged with Council resolving to reconstruct Oval 4 with a new pavilion to accommodate an increase in winter sport usage.
Bayside City Council Mayor, Cr Laurence Evans said that following extensive community consultation Council sought to balance the needs of local residents and meet the growing demands for sporting ovals in Bayside.
“Over the past three months we’ve heard from over 1,500 residents on the proposal to reactivate Elsternwick Park South Ovals 3 and 4 for winter sports use.
“It was a difficult decision for Council and we have sought to find the best solution that will have the smallest impact on nearby-residents and dog walkers while also providing additional sports and recreation facilities for our community.
“Council has resolved to retain Oval 3 in its current form with no additional sports infrastructure,” Cr Evans said.
“We heard from the local residents that fencing was a major concern. We will improve Oval 4 for increased winter sport without using fencing or spoon drains around the sporting field perimeters.
“Getting the right balance hasn’t been easy, but in the end we’ve worked to provide a balanced solution to meet the needs of both active and passive recreation in Bayside.
“We want to ensure that we provide reactional opportunities for all, where all people feel socially connected to one another at Elsternwick Park.
“Council will now look at opportunities going forward for improve facilities at Elsternwick Park South for non-sporting users including dog walkers and dogs,” Cr Evans said.
Oval 4 will receive a new basic sports pavilion featuring modern, environmentally sensitive design and female friendly change rooms and umpire facilities, public toilet, a first aid room and kiosk.
Upgrades to Oval 4 include the installation of sportsground lighting, to provide much needed weeknight training space before 8:30pm, and improved drainage, irrigation and playing surface with a granite sand perimeter path.