About the Project

Bairnsdale City Oval is identified as East Gippsland's premier sporting facility. Home of Bairnsdale Football Netball Club (Gippsland Football Netball League), the West Bairnsdale Cricket Club, as well as the East Gippsland Umpire’s Association, the oval is used for major finals, representative games, and special events. There is a high demand for use of the facility, during the winter sporting season the main oval is used every day, often with 3 or 4 teams training at the same time. Peppercorn Park is an alternate second playing field at Bairnsdale City Oval, however there are currently several barriers that significantly limit the use of this second oval, primarily the absence of lighting meaning the field cannot be used after sunset.

The limitation on the use of Peppercorn Park creates two main issues. Firstly, use of the overall facility is limited. There is no space for expansion for use of this oval during the winter months meaning Bairnsdale Football Club are limited in usage, and no other clubs or sports can effectively base themselves at this facility. Secondly, the high level of use of the main oval has a negative impact on the playing surface. The oval does not have time to recover, in particular during periods of high rainfall.

It should be noted that Peppercorn Park is currently an undersized oval, however this project has been designed alongside an oval expansion which is planned for delivery. The lighting will be designed to cater for this expansion.

The lighting upgrade will meet a minimum 100 Lux rating as outlined in the AFL Victoria Preferred Facility Guideline (2019) and relevant Australian Standards

The proposed outcome of the Peppercorn Park – Bairnsdale City Oval Precinct lighting installation is to:

• Increase participation rates and user groups.
• Improve safety for users and increase usage of the facility for training and events
• Increased opportunity for training and playing of both the senior and junior sides.
• Maximise the usage of the oval/facility by giving increased availability of times and extra oval space that can be used safely throughout the season
• In winter months areas of the oval can become worn and muddy and the ability to move training sessions around the oval assists in maintaining a good and safe playing surface.

Budget:

This project has been primarily funded through Sports and Recreation Victoria with contributions from East Gippsland Shire Council.

Peppercorn Park Lighting Upgrade is a separate project to the Peppercorn Park Oval Upgrade.
To read more on the Peppercorn Park Oval Upgrade click here.

This page will be updated as the works for this project progress.

For more information regarding this project please subscribe or contact Council Officers at feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au

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