By Brendan Rees
A $19 million masterplan had been unveiled for Narre Warren’s Max Pawsey Reserve that will aim to deliver quality sporting facilities and improve the existing drainage function.
Casey Council has released the draft masterplan at the 11-hectare site on Fountain Drive and is inviting public feedback during its exhibition from 22 November to 13 December.
Under the plans, council recommends the following projects will are expected to be rolled out by 2041:
• Wetland water retention and associated boardwalks
• New relocated and consolidated AFL/Cricket and scout pavilion
• New relocated tennis pavilion
• New relocated Playground
• New toilet, change, storage and scorer’s facility between both ovals
• Redevelopment of main oval to district level size requirements
• New electronic score board for main oval
• Relocated cricket nets
• Full size recreational multi-court (basketball, netball, soccer)
• Permanent events stage
• Perimeter and internal path network
• Street skate opportunities
• Formalised and extended car parking opportunities
• Reserve lighting and signage improvements
Council will also look at opportunities to upgrade CCTV throughout the reserve.
Speaking at the 19 November council meeting, councillor Rex Flannery said it was “an extraordinary masterplan” and hoped projects would begin within the next five years.
“It’s also going to cater for the football club, the cricket club, Narre Warren Scouts and also the tennis club,” he said.
“I’m pretty sure that we’ll get a lot more young people coming back into Max Pawsey Reseve to play football, cricket and also we’re trying to get girls netball”.
According to a council document, several projects are in progress or already nominated for consideration in council’s 10-year indicative capital works program.
Council is working with the State Government and South East Water with the delivery of an integrated water management system of Max Pawsey Reserve which forms a key project within the Fountain Gate Narre Warren CBD Precinct.
Council has also recently been successful in receiving $53,080 funding from the State Government, through the Community Crime Prevention Program for improved path lighting within the reserve, the document outlined.
A project to install a roof over the lawn bowls greens has also had funding committed in the previous 12 months from the club, council, State and Federal Governments.
Further detailed design of all projects identified within the draft masterplan will “interrogate and refine the financial investment required and inform future capital works program nominations,” council says.
Community feedback and the finalised masterplan will be presented for adoption at a future Council meeting.
Councillors also voted at their meeting requesting support from State and Federal Government in delivering the project.
