Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct

Stage One

On the site located to the west of Barringo Road, the Sports Hub will be built that includes:

• A three-court sports stadium that can cater for basketball, netball, badminton and volley ball
• Spectator seating
• Kiosk
• Sport administration office
• Associated amenities
• Car park extension and drop off area
• Links to the existing netball courts
• A pedestrian spine linking to the sports precinct
• Landscaping including the planting of new trees

On the site located to the east of Barringo Road, the sports and recreation facilities will be constructed that includes:

• A natural grass AFL/cricket oval
• Change Rooms
• Pavilion featuring a multi-function space
• Fitness loop
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• Half-court basketball
• Play ground
• Outdoor table tennis
• BBQ areas
• Wetlands/detention basin
• A pedestrian spine linking to the sports hub
• Car parking
• Landscaping including paths and new trees

Stage Two

Stage Two works are set to include the extension of the sports hub with an additional three multi-sport courts, additional amenities, an additional AFL/cricket oval, two outdoor sports courts, additional car parking and landscaping.

Stage Three

Stage Three works would include other upgrades within the precinct’s master plan such as retractable seating in stadiums, a function and multi-purpose room extension to the sports hub, a canopy connecting existing outdoor netball courts and the sports hub, an extension to the sports pavilion and cricket nets.

Stage One

The total budget for Stage One of the precinct is $27.573m. In addition to Council funding, this includes:

• $11.6 million from the Victorian Government's Local Sports Grant – Major Program
• $3.2 million from the Victorian Government's Growing Suburbs Fund
• $343,263.48 from Melbourne Water from the Liveable Communities Liveable Waterways program
• $100,000 from AFL Victoria.

Stage Two

The total budget for Stage Two of the precinct is $17m. This includes:

• $15 million from the Australian Government
• $2 million from Council.

Stage Three

The total budget for Stage Three of the precinct is anticipated to be $8m. Council is continuing to advocate for external funding sources to fund this stage.

Council has been working closely with local user groups for many years to gain an understanding of sport facility uses and patterns, and develop a shared vision for the future use and development of indoor sports courts and fields across the shire.

While there is a diverse range of leisure and aquatic facilities in the shire (eight indoor sports courts, two fitness centres, two indoor pools and two outdoor pools), a 2009 indoor sports feasibility study identified the need for more sports courts in Gisborne. In 2015 Council entered into a joint usage agreement with Gisborne Secondary College to construct two indoor sports courts. These courts, and other indoor stadiums across the shire, are now operating at near capacity.

Regional Sports Fields Project

In 2017, Council completed the New Gisborne Sports Field Feasibility Study(PDF, 5MB) and concept plan(PDF, 2MB). These publications identified the need for a new oval complex in New Gisborne, including a regional synthetic surface ground and associated buildings and recreational facilities such as walking tracks, cycling, passive recreation spaces and playgrounds.

The study was adopted by Council in December 2017. 

Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub

Also in 2017, Council started work on a feasibility study to determine the current and future needs of indoor sports courts in the Macedon Ranges. It looked at the types and level of current use, future growth and demand, concept planning, costs, locations, business models and design approaches. 

The Regional Sports Hub Feasibility Study Summary(PDF, 17MB) and Regional Sports Hub Feasibility Study(PDF, 11MB)  were endorsed by Council in March 2018.

The Regional Sports Hub concept is envisioned as a four-to-six court indoor stadium and community activity hub in New Gisborne which will service the growing needs of participants across the shire.

Macedon Ranges Regional Netball Complex

The Macedon Ranges Regional Netball Complex, which is located on the west of Barringo Road, was officially opened on the 17 August 2016 in conjunction with the Macedon Ranges Netball Association’s (MRNA) annual tournament day.

The complex has been a dream of the MRNA and former Gisborne Netball Association for over 20 years.  The project was funded by State and Commonwealth funding, council, Bendigo Bank and the MRNA,

The complex consists of 8 outdoor netball courts (2 with lighting), car parking and a new pavilion.