Netball and Tennis Court

Everyone's buzzing with excitement as significant progress is made on the netball and tennis courts.

The new light poles and lights have been installed and tested, ensuring bright and safe play areas. The new asphalt will soon be ready for the contractor to begin preparations for coating and line marking. Weather permitting, the coating is expected to be completed by the end of March 2025.

The court fencing is nearly finished, with gates soon to be installed. Following the coating, netball rings and tennis posts will be set up, complementing the already installed basketball ring.

A power upgrade is scheduled, with SP Ausnet installing a new pole and transformer in the first week of April 2025. We are eagerly awaiting the power connection date to light up the new courts.

Pavilion Project

The pavilion project is also on track. All concrete footings are complete, along with some stormwater drainage and pits.

The pavilion will feature a robust steel frame with a timber substructure, promising a sturdy and welcoming facility for all. With 80% of the steel subfloor delivered, contractors have begun erecting it.

The builder remains on schedule, aiming for completion in 2026.

Stay tuned for more updates as these exciting projects continue to unfold!

Pavilion subfloor steel work

New lights being tested

New court fencing

The Buchan Recreation Reserve Committee of Management has asked us to consider removing three trees at the reserve.

The reason for this request is due to their proximity to existing buildings and court infrastructure, as outlined in the attached plan. During the design phase, every effort was made to retain trees where feasible, but trees situated too close to infrastructure - where their root systems could be compromised or pose potential structural risks - have been identified for removal.

We are intending to progress with this Committee of Management request for the removal of the trees; however, if you have any questions or concerns about the tree removal, please contact us by 31 March 2025.

We acknowledge the environmental and community value of trees, and this decision has not been made lightly. We appreciate your understanding as we work to enhance the safety and sustainability of Buchan Recreation Reserve for all users.

If you represent a local group that could utilise the timber from the removed trees for a positive purpose, please contact Mark Tickner at 5153 9500 to discuss potential opportunities.

Sports courts

• The proof roll and compaction test for the 2nd layer of court base has been approved.
• Most of the perimeter fence posts have been installed so our concreter can start the formwork for the spoon drain and concrete pathways beside the netball court.
• The steel reinforcement cages for the light poles have been delivered and pole footings will be dug in the new year.
• The rebound hit-up wall concrete panel has been made off site and ready for delivery and installation in the new year.
• We are hoping that asphalt will be installed late January [weather permitting].

Pavilion

Set out of the new pavilion works has taken place with the builder excavating and pouring more than 50% of the building's footings.

Netball /Tennis courts

• The proof roll and compaction test for the 1^st layer of the court base has been ticked off.
• The court contractor will bring in stabilising material and compact it over the next few weeks.
• The steel reinforcement cages for the light poles have been delivered; the light pole footings to be excavated soon.
• Our fencing contractor is scheduled to start works shortly as many of these components need to be in before the concrete works can occur.
• Structural plans for the rebound wall have been approved and the contractor has placed the order for production.

Pavilion

• A building permit for the new pavilion has been issued.
• The builders now have possession of the site.
• Set out of the new pavilion works to take place this week.

Netball court project

The removal of soil for the retaining wall has been completed, and the pier holes for the wall were successfully finished with the posts now securely concreted in place.

Installation of the concrete sleepers into the retaining wall has commenced this week. After the footings cure, compacted fill will be added against the retaining wall to create a solid foundation for both the netball court and the surrounding footpath.

What's Next - Our contractor is set to begin the installation of new stormwater pipes designed to efficiently collect runoff from the courts and the new pavilion.

Each workday involves trenching, laying pipes, and backfilling to ensure that there are no open trenches left overnight, with appropriate barricades in place for safety. Once the stormwater work is completed, the existing roadway into the reserve from Centre Road will be reopened for access.

Pavilion project

It is anticipated that the footings may be installed prior to Christmas, allowing for steel shop drawings to be approved, and the steel to be manufactured for erection early in the new year. A construction schedule will be put in place shortly.

We welcome your continued interest in this project. Please choose to follow this project on YourSay to receive important information directly to your inbox.

Our contractor for the netball/tennis court construction is bringing in additional fill from the local quarry to reach the subbase level. Compaction of this material is scheduled to occur in the next few days.

The demolition of the existing toilet block was completed on Tuesday, and site cleanup will continue throughout this week. A request for quote will be released in the coming weeks for the mobile tennis net.

A contract has been signed and a site meeting held with Cadbuild Construction Pty Ltd, contractor for the changeroom pavilion. The construction schedule is being prepared with a tentative start date of early November 2024, pending building approvals.

Demolished changerooms and toilet block area.	Existing court Asphalt stripped, and fill being placed up to the subbase.	Local quarry material being placed.

We welcome your continued interest in this project. Please choose to follow this project on YourSay to receive important information directly to your inbox.

• The asphalt surface of the netball/tennis courts has been removed and the old change rooms now demolished.
• Our contractor has been able to cut the existing base material to the new subbase height.
• Electrical conduits and pits and storm water components have been delivered.

Excavation work will continue during the week, and we will also commence work on the new retaining walls.

The photos below show the new excavated areas above and beside the old courts.

The tender for the construction of Buchan Recreation Reserve Pavilion submitted by Cadbuild Construction for $4,469,597.44 ex GST was accepted at the 27 August Council meeting.

The pavilion will provide a space for social and physical activity and play a vital role in improving community resilience, social wellbeing, community identity, sense of place, and health. 

Read the media release here: Council Meeting outcomes – Tuesday 27 August 2024

Our contractor, Clint Kelly Excavations, is quickly getting on with the job, with the possession of site issued on Monday afternoon and works starting first thing on Tuesday 27 August 2024.

Work this week has included:

• Removal of the existing Netball and front fence – Completed.
• Demolition of the hit-up wall – Completed.
• Removal of the existing light poles and fittings - Completed.
• Removal of the existing asphalt court surface - underway

The demolished concrete and asphalt are being sent to a local business for recycling.

Work for next week is.

• Removal of asbestos from the existing buildings – is programmed for Friday 6 September 2024.
• Demolition works to be continued.
• Site boundary and levels set out.
• Delivery of stormwater pipes, pits and electrical conduit.
• Sub-base investigation works.

The local Buchan community welcomed Council’s intention to upgrade and revitalise the recreation reserve with better sporting and community facilities to enrich the lifestyle, character, and resilience of the Buchan, Gelantipy and district communities.

We are moving closer towards construction.

Works are anticipated to commence later this year following the award of the contract for construction of the Netball / Tennis Courts at the 25 June 2024 Council meeting.

We commend the local Buchan community and Project Reference Group in their efforts to progress the project to this key milestone.

Council’s ongoing collaboration with the Buchan community and Project Reference Group has progressed the concept to detailed design for pavilion and pony club shed. Other key elements of the masterplan include upgraded pony club yards, cricket nets, oval, play space.

This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, in conjunction with Council.

Construction details and timing will be shared on YourSay once they have been established.

View the media release online: