Bass Coast Shire Council is continuing to make steady progress on planning and design work for the Phillip Island Sporting Precinct, one of Council’s Tier One Advocacy priorities.
Significant work is continuing behind the scenes to ensure the project is ready to take advantage of future funding opportunities from State and Federal Governments.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said Council remained committed to progressing the project and was actively advocating for investment.
“The Phillip Island Sporting Precinct is a major long-term project that will deliver much-needed sporting, recreation and community infrastructure for our growing community,” Cr Tessari said.
“We’re continuing to do the important planning and design work needed to make the project investment ready.
“Importantly, this remains one of Council’s Tier One Advocacy priorities and we’re already actively advocating to both State and Federal Governments for support.”
Since the Master Plan was adopted in 2023, Council has completed a range of investigations and planning work, including community consultation, cultural heritage and environmental assessments, a stormwater management strategy, traffic impact assessments, arborist reports, revegetation works and entryway designs.
The current Stage 1 design process is due to be completed in July 2026.
A functional layout plan – is currently being finalised, providing a detailed map showing the location of future facilities across the site. Future projects have been allocated space within the plan to ensure the precinct can be delivered in a coordinated way over time.
Council’s consultants are currently preparing detailed designs for key Stage 1 infrastructure, including:
- A fenced off-leash dog park
- Parking areas, internal road networks and pathways
- Two senior-sized sporting ovals
- Four netball courts
- Stormwater and hydraulic infrastructure
Once complete, the consultant will provide tender-ready documentation and 3D modelling, allowing construction to commence in stages as funding becomes available.
Council is also progressing a planning scheme amendment and working through planning permit requirements to support the future delivery of the precinct. As part of this work, additional investigations have been undertaken to minimise impacts on native vegetation and ensure the site is appropriately planned for long-term development.
The entryway designs incorporate wildlife-sensitive lighting to help protect local wildlife including nesting shorebirds such as short-tailed shearwaters
Revegetation efforts also continue across the site in partnership with the Phillip Island Landcare Group, to enhance and preserve existing pockets of indigenous vegetation
Phillip Island Landcare Group has completed significant revegetation, fencing and weed control works across sections of the site. Council is continuing to work with Landcare and specialist contractors on plans to revegetate additional areas, particularly around the future entryway and dog park precinct, while carefully avoiding locations identified for future facilities and stormwater infrastructure.
Council will also seek external funding opportunities to support future revegetation works and help prepare the site for staged development.
Cr Tessari said the environmental works were helping prepare the site for future development while protecting its natural values.
“We’re fortunate to have passionate community partners helping improve and care for this site,” he said. “Our Ward Councillors, Deputy Mayor, Cr Ron Bauer, Cr Tracey Bell and Cr Tim O’Brien are also working hard to progress the precinct.”
“Every piece of work we complete now puts us in a stronger position to secure future funding and deliver this important precinct for the Phillip Island community.”
