Elsternwick Park’s Oval 4 to remain unchanged

Council is not proceeding with planned upgrades of sporting facilities at Elsternwick Park’s Oval 4, following further consideration of the project at the first meeting of Bayside’s new Council on 17 December 2020.

This project involved resurfacing the sportsground, improving drainage, installing lighting, and proposing to build a basic pavilion.

The existing sportsground will continue to be shared by the whole community, including as a much-loved off-leash dog walking area. Community cricket will continue to be played year-round on Oval 4, while local schools will use the oval mid-week, and it will be used for pre-season training for winter sports. 

Council will continue to listen to the community to ensure our open spaces meet their varied recreation needs, and investigate alternative ways to meet the high demand for sporting facilities. 

Remaining project funds will be reallocated to suitable community projects, such as investigating a warm water pool, as part of Council’s 2021–22 budget development process.

For more information about this decision, please see the meeting minutes, or you can view a recording of the meeting here. 

Council’s decision to place these works on hold following the recent Local Government election was designed to provide new Councillors with an opportunity to consider the project, and minimise disruption to the community and any financial penalties if the project was cancelled or its scope amended after construction works commenced as scheduled in November 2020.

Contracts relating to this project will now be cancelled in accordance with legal requirements and obligations. All negotiations and monetary figures are commercial in confidence and cannot be shared with members of the public. 

For background information about the project, please visit the Elsternwick Park Oval 4 project webpage.