The Drysdale
Sporting Precinct Master Plan has been endorsed by council.
The Master Plan
details medium and long-term upgrades to the 32.5 hectare site, and has been
developed in close consultation with sporting clubs and groups, schools and
local residents.
The draft
Master Plan was available via our Have Your Say and social media pages
for a period of eight weeks in the middle of 2019. Along with the 113 completed
Have Your Say submissions, there were an additional 358 social media
engagements relating to the Master Plan.
A
Project Reference Group was also formed, to give key stakeholders the
opportunity to respond to the proposal during the exhibition period. The group
was made up of the Drysdale Soccer Club, Drysdale Football Club, Drysdale
Netball Club, Bellarine Athletics, Peninsula Little Athletics; Drysdale Cricket
Club, Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association, St Thomas Catholic Primary
School, St Ignatius College, Bellarine Secondary College, and the Potato Shed.
Key elements of
the master plan include:
- a
new premier soccer field with competition-standard lighting - a
new multi-purpose field (fitting two soccer pitches or an Australian
football oval), also with lighting - two
netball courts, with capacity to expand to four in the future - main
pavilion with social space, female friendly change facilities - large
community area for passive recreation - district
level playground - a 2.5 kilometre running circuit around the perimeter
- sealed
car parking and improved pedestrian pathways.
The final master plan is an update on
the 2011 version. It takes into account changing sport and recreation trends
and a reduction in available space due to construction of the Drysdale Bypass.
The state government provided $50,000
for the master plan and has committed a further $5 million for the next stage
of works. The federal government has also pledged $3.5 million.
The $6.726 million first stage of the
facility, which opened in February 2018, was co-funded by the City of Greater
Geelong and the state government.
Councillor Stephanie Asher – Mayor
This is a
significant document that will pave the way for a highly used and modern space
for the Bellarine community.The plan has been developed through a very thorough process, with
input from community groups and Drysdale and Clifton Springs residents.With state and federal government funding committed for the next stage of the
precinct, we look forward to seeing the plan brought to life.The plan has also accommodated the potential for a new 50-metre pool at the
site, given it has been identified as one of two shortlisted locations in
Drysdale for the new aquatic facility.
Councillor Jim Mason – Bellarine Ward
This well founded and
well researched master plan will serve the growing population for many years
into the future.The
community has been extensively consulted during the plan’s development.
Drysdale has a strong female sports participation base and I’m proud to say the
plan is focused on inclusive and accessible participation.
