Buchan came together on Sunday 14 June to celebrate the opening of its upgraded Recreation Reserve – a milestone community-led project that provides modern facilities for sport, community events and emergency response.
The centrepiece of the redevelopment is a new pavilion which provides modern facilities for sporting and community events, reinforcing the reserve’s role as one of Buchan’s most important community assets. The pavilion has also been designed to serve as an emergency relief centre.
The broader reserve upgrade includes upgrades to sporting facilities, storage infrastructure, spectator areas, and connections between key recreation spaces.
The project was managed by East Gippsland Shire Council, which contributed $1.25 million towards the redevelopment and coordinated delivery in partnership with funding agencies and the local community.
Local builder CADBuild Construction delivered the project, helping bring the community’s vision for the reserve to life.
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth hosted the event alongside community members, sporting clubs, project partners, MPs, Councillors past and present, and Council staff, where she recognised the many hard-working volunteers and groups who brought the project to life.
“This is a fantastic outcome for Buchan and district – a modern, welcoming facility that reflects the strength and determination of this community,” Cr Ashworth said.
“Today’s celebration was about more than opening a building. It was an opportunity to recognise the many volunteers, community members, clubs, project partners and supporters who helped make this vision a reality.”
Buchan Recreation Reserve Committee President Peter Favaloro spoke at the opening, recounting the development of the project, from the bushfire-recovery period to today, and acknowledging the reserve committee volunteers and others whose efforts made it possible.
Cr Ashworth said the reserve had long been at the heart of community life.
“This reserve is where people come together to connect through sport, celebrate milestones, support one another and, when needed, respond to emergencies,” she said.
“These upgrades ensure the reserve can continue to play that role well into the future, and the community should feel enormously proud of what has been achieved.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the opening of the Buchan Recreation Reserve pavilion was a key milestone for the region.
“The Albanese Government is proud to have supported East Gippsland Council to transform these facilities that serve the community through sport and recreation, but also play a critical emergency response role,” Minister McBain said.
“The upgraded recreation reserve is a significant milestone for Buchan and the district, and I’m really pleased to see this project completed.”
Federal Labor Senator for Victoria, Senator Raff Ciccone, said the upgraded Buchan Recreation Reserve was an important investment in the future of the East Gippsland community.
“The new pavilion and upgraded facilities will provide a welcoming space for local sport, community events and emergency response for years to come,” Senator Ciccone said.
“Buchan is a proud and resilient community, and these upgrades will help support locals and the broader East Gippsland region into the future.”
Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery, Vicki Ward, congratulated the Buchan and surrounding community on the upgrades, and said “The Victorian Government is continuing to invest in community – ensuring that areas like Buchan have modern facilities to support their emergency resilience, and community connection.”
The redevelopment was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, alongside Council, Emergency Recovery Victoria and Sport and Recreation Victoria, with a total investment of more than $6 million. The Buchan Recreation Reserve netball and tennis court upgrades were supported by the Victorian Government with a Community Sport and Recreation grant.
