A master plan that will shape the Gordon Recreation Reserve over the next decade has been finalised, with a number of upgrades already beginning.
The Gordon Recreation Reserve is the only active sporting facility in Gordon and home to the Gordon Football Netball Club (GFNC). The reserve is predominantly owned by DEECA, which led the development of the master plan.
The master plan shows that the area currently contains an uneven oval that has a four-metre drop and drainage issues that make it unplayable at times and a 40-year-old pavilion that’s at the “end of its life”.
The highest priorities in the plan are upgrading the oval, developing a new multi-purpose pavilion, improving roadways and parking, filling in the dam, purchasing water tanks and constructing new fencing.
The plan was brought before Moorabool council at a meeting on March 6.
Council noted the report and committed to working with user groups to attract funding for the priority projects, but also highlighted a number of works already underway.
Upgrades to the netball court are scheduled to commence in March and officers have provided the reserve committee of management with a letter of support to seek funding for a bore replacement.
Council also said design work for the oval reconstruction and pavilion upgrade is also about to commence and officers are preparing a Sport and Recreation Victoria grant application to fund the play space upgrade and improvements to the entrance of the reserve, which will be submitted in March 2024.
The master plan includes an action plan recommending 29 actions, with 15 earmarked as achievable in the next seven years.
The plan includes five actions described as potential “quick wins” achievable in the next 12 months – installation of goal post nets, lower speed limits next to the reserve, improved drainage for netball courts and landscaping works.
Councillor Rod Ward commended everyone involved in the preparation of the master plan, but said council should also look into improvements for the Gordon Hall.
“I think it gives the community a lot of directions. There’s obviously been a lot of cooperation by the various key groups,” he said.
