Sod-turning ceremony marks start of construction for sports precinct

Published on 27 May 2022

Council is pleased to announce that Lloyd Group has been awarded the construction contract for the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct project – Stage 1.

A sod-turning ceremony celebrating the commencement of construction on Stage 1 took place from 4.15pm Friday 27 May, at the project site in New Gisborne.

The precinct will encompass a 15-hectare regional park providing facilities for sport and recreation activities. Stage 1 of the project consists of a three-court Sports Hub, a natural turf oval and sports pavilion, passive recreation facilities, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

The Victorian Government has supported the project through the following grants, including:

Melbourne Water has also contributed $343,263.48 to the project via the Liveable Communities Liveable Waterways program and AFL Victoria has contributed $100,000.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council provides a further $10.9M, bringing the total project budget for stage 1 to $26.14m.

Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson welcomed the contract announcement, highlighting the new sports precinct as a key project for the shire. The project will provide better access to community sports needs and improved social connections and health outcomes for the growing Macedon Ranges community.

“This new multi-facility sports precinct will allow residents to come together for a range of healthy activities and cater to team sporting needs—to interact, develop and build community cohesion”.

Long-term advocate and former Macedon Ranges basketball administrator Megan Condron said with more and more locals keen to sign up and play sport, the new facilities will allow clubs to grow and provide greater access to competition within the shire.

“For us it’s about having a home and giving our juniors a choice, so they don’t have to make decisions based on whether or not their parents are able to drive them out of the region,” she said.

Once complete, the precinct will be capable of hosting competitions on a regional level, which will benefit local businesses and provide positive flow-on effects for tourism and employment across the shire.

Chief Executive Officer Bernie O’Sullivan said this is great news for the shire, as with the population expected to continue growing, current Council-managed stadium facilities are already at or nearing capacity for competition purposes.

“The new sports precinct is a big-ticket item for our growing community. We’re very excited about the contract award for Stage 1 and are looking forward to officially celebrating construction commencement with the turning of the first sod. We thank the Victorian Government for their contribution towards Stage 1 and will of course continue with advocacy efforts to ensure we can deliver Stage 2 and see this project through to completion”, he said.

Lloyd Group has a strong background in building high-quality sporting precincts, including stadiums, sporting fields and pavilions.

Lloyd Group’s General Manager (Victoria) Andrew Sale expressed great delight at being awarded the project.

“Lloyd Group are delighted to be working with Macedon Ranges Shire Council on the Regional Sports Precinct project and look forward to delivering what will be a significant asset to the Macedon Ranges community upon completion”.

Minister for Regional Development and State Member for Macedon, the Hon. Mary Anne Thomas, Minister for Community Sport, the Hon. Ros Spence, Federal Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, Macedon Ranges Shire Council representatives, and user groups gathered together today, to celebrate the commencement of construction of Stage 1 with the turning of the first sod.

Stage 1 of the precinct is scheduled for completion in late 2023. Stage 2, which will comprise three additional Sports Hub courts, a function room, additional car parking, a practice oval, outdoor multi-sport courts, additional Sports Pavilion amenities and further landscaping, remains contingent on further funding.

For information on job opportunities and subcontracts arising from this project, visit the Llyod Group