Buchan - Recreation Reserve Upgrade

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.

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

Project Update - 25 October 2023

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Tender for construction of the netball and tennis courts is now open. Tender closes 8 November 2023.
The detail design and engineering plans have been tendered for the upgrade to the Netball and Tennis courts. The tender closes on 8 November 2023.
Loft Architects are continuing the development of the detail design plans for the new pavilion, informed by community feedback and the project reference group.
Project Update - 10 October 2023

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The Project Reference Group and Council officers have been meeting with Loft Architects to finalise detailed plans. The tender for construction of the netball tennis courts will soon be advised.
Project update - 30 March 2023

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Over the past two months Council has been working closely with Loft Architecture (Architects) to prepare detail design documentation that will allow the project to be tendered for construction. These works will revitalise the recreational hub, providing improved facilities for local sporting groups.
The local Project Reference Group, made up of representatives from the various recreational clubs – football, tennis, netball, pony club and cricket, and the hall committee have been meeting regularly with Council and the consultants to review the detailed plan development and ensure the community is kept updated on the progress of the project.
Project Update - 20 February 2023

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Council is pleased to announce that consultants Loft Architecture have been awarded the contract for the detailed design development of the masterplan that will allow the revitalisation of the Buchan Recreational Reserve project to progress to the construction stage.
This is an exciting milestone for the project and with this announcement we are moving closer towards construction. An important part of the detailed design development phase is to work closely with the key stakeholders to develop a prioritised staged construction timetable, based on available funding, that allows continuing access by the community where feasible.
On completion of the detail design program Council will engage contractors to coordinate the construction of the works, working carefully with the local Buchan community and key stakeholders to balance the intricacies of maintaining a safe construction site whilst ensuring the continued need for access to the oval precinct.
Council anticipates works will commence later this year once the detailed designs are completed and a detailed works program is developed.
Council acknowledges the efforts of the local Buchan community and the Project Reference Group in their efforts to date to progress the Buchan Recreational Reserve Masterplan to the next important stage.