Buchan - Recreation Reserve Upgrade

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About the Project

East Gippsland Shire Council, with the support of State and Federal Government, and Community funding, is investing in the development of the Buchan Recreational Reserve Master Plan.

Sport and recreation play a vital role in bringing the local community together and this investment in the Buchan Recreational Reserve reflects Council’s strategic vision to recognise that an active and connected community is better placed to build resilience and recover following the difficulties experienced by small communities, like Buchan, during times of natural disaster events. The Buchan Recreation Reserve is a large community open space reserve located within the village precinct of Buchan and adjacent to the beautiful Buchan River. The reserve provides the local community with a critical staging and refuge facility during natural disaster events and is a well used local sports ground and community hall facility, being home to four local sporting clubs – pony, netball, tennis, football, and cricket.

The Master Plan was developed in 2021 following community consultation. The local Buchan community welcomed Council’s intention to upgrade and revitalise the reserve with new and improved sporting and community facilities. The plan addresses the community’s preferences by providing a revitalised modern community hub and sporting facility. Areas identified by the plan for improvement include the netball and tennis courts, shared pavilion and amenities, carparking, lighting, football oval, pony club and cricket facilities. Other exciting features of the master plan include a new children’s playground.


This project is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements


About the Project

East Gippsland Shire Council, with the support of State and Federal Government, and Community funding, is investing in the development of the Buchan Recreational Reserve Master Plan.

Sport and recreation play a vital role in bringing the local community together and this investment in the Buchan Recreational Reserve reflects Council’s strategic vision to recognise that an active and connected community is better placed to build resilience and recover following the difficulties experienced by small communities, like Buchan, during times of natural disaster events. The Buchan Recreation Reserve is a large community open space reserve located within the village precinct of Buchan and adjacent to the beautiful Buchan River. The reserve provides the local community with a critical staging and refuge facility during natural disaster events and is a well used local sports ground and community hall facility, being home to four local sporting clubs – pony, netball, tennis, football, and cricket.

The Master Plan was developed in 2021 following community consultation. The local Buchan community welcomed Council’s intention to upgrade and revitalise the reserve with new and improved sporting and community facilities. The plan addresses the community’s preferences by providing a revitalised modern community hub and sporting facility. Areas identified by the plan for improvement include the netball and tennis courts, shared pavilion and amenities, carparking, lighting, football oval, pony club and cricket facilities. Other exciting features of the master plan include a new children’s playground.


This project is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements


  • 9 September 2024

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    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.

  • 16 September 2024

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    Further updates will be provided on YourSay following the Council Election on 26 October 2024, and the questions/feedback tab will be reinstated.

    From 12.00 noon Tuesday 17 September until 6.00 pm on Saturday 26 October (Election Day) we will be in the Local Government Election Period (also known as Caretaker Period).

    During this time, we will limit our printed communications, website content, social media activity, and community consultations. The ability for people to comment on our social media content will also be disabled during the Election Period.

    Each of these steps is to ensure our content does not affect voting in the election and is consistent with steps taken by other Victorian Councils and the Local Government Act 2020.

    These changes are only temporary; we'll be back to normal communication activity after the election.

  • 9 September 2024

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    • 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.


  • 2 September 2024

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    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

  • 30 August 2024

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    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.


  • 28 June 2024

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    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:


  • 26 June 2024

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    Tender for the construction of the pavilion is OPEN.

    Tender closes Wednesday 17 July 2024.

    To be a part of this exciting project, submit your tender application at - Tenders (eastgippsland.vic.gov.au)


    We welcome your continued interest in this project. Please feel free to share this update with your local network and choose to follow this project on YourSay to receive important information regarding this project directly to your inbox.

  • 15 May 2024

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    Tender for construction has closed

    Tender submissions for the construction of the Netball Tennis Courts are scheduled to be presented to Council at the 25 June Council Meeting.

    Further updates will be provided once the tender evaluation process has been completed.

  • 2 May 2024

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    Tender for construction of the netball and tennis courts is open.

    To be a part of this exciting project, submit your tender application at - Tenders (eastgippsland.vic.gov.au)

    Tender closes 15 May 2024.

  • Project Update - 22 December 2023

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    Tender for construction of the netball and tennis courts will be re-advertised in the New Year.

    Loft Architects are continuing to development the detail design plans for the new pavilion, informed by community feedback and the project reference group.

Page last updated: 21 Nov 2024, 09:57 AM