The contract to develop the detailed design for upgrading the WORLD Sporting Precinct in Bairnsdale to include eight netball courts, hockey and soccer complex was awarded by East Gippsland Shire Council on Tuesday, November 12.
This design work is essential to inform the cost and staging of the WORLD Sporting Precinct to allow the project to seek funding. The WORLD is planned to be expanded over time to become one of the main community sporting precincts in Bairnsdale and is now at design stage. Thomson Adsett Pty Ltd was awarded the $456,585 (excluding GST) design contract.
Mayor Cr John White said Council undertook an extensive analysis and review of the needs of the Bairnsdale sporting community as part of its Bairnsdale Sporting Facilities Plan 2018.
“The WORLD precinct is a major part of how our region participates in sport,” Cr White said.
“Once upgraded, it will cater for, in the long term, increased use and upgraded sporting facilities including eight netball court complex with shelters, seating, water fountains, fencing, floodlighting, footpaths, pedestrian movement zones, car parking, and landscaping. An upgrade and renovation to the WORLD pavilion/ change rooms will serve the netball and hockey user groups.”
A built for purpose soccer precinct, will include two senior pitches and two junior unfenced fields, sub-surface irrigation and drainage, shelters, civil works, fencing, car parking, footpaths, pedestrian movement zones, landscaping, floodlighting, and a pavilion including change rooms and a social area.
“Council would like to thank the East Gippsland United Football Club, Bairnsdale Netball Association and
Bairnsdale Hockey Club for their invaluable input into this project to this point,” Cr White said.
The realisation of the project requires $10.7 million funding. The detailed design work will provide Council with the information necessary to seek grants and other funding.
Other contracts were awarded at the November 12 meeting:
- Lakes Entrance Seawall Reconstruction Stage 2 to Albcon Pty Ltd $1,206,526.89 (excluding GST).
- Provision of Pound and Animal Shelter Services in East Gippsland (five years) to Victorian Animal Aid Trust $1,147,232.80 (excluding GST).
Stage 2 of the Lakes Entrance Seawall Reconstruction on the Esplanade between Carpenter and Myer streets, west of the footbridge. Works will commence after Australia Day 2020 and are expected to be completed by October 2020.
Mayor Cr White said similar design and materials to stage one completed earlier this year near Bank Jetty will be used for the stage 2 project. The seawall will be piles and precast concrete panels and will include a new 3.3-metre wide shared path and 2.5m wide boardwalk.
“Unlike for stage one, most of the existing bluestone seawall will remain in place due to the difficulties associated with removing such large infrastructure with concrete footings. The new seawall will be constructed in front of the existing one, giving Council the opportunity to provide wider pedestrian paths,” Cr White said.
Stage 2 of the Lakes Entrance Seawall Reconstruction will commence after Australia Day 2020 and is expected to be completed by October 2020.
