RecWest and Shorten Reserve

  • Project typePrecinct Upgrade
  • Project value$40+ Million
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Project Information

The Shorten and Barrett Reserves in West Footscray include open space, sporting facilities, a play area, scout facilities and RecWest Footscray.

In June 2025, Council resolved to close part of Market Street in West Footscray, which will enable the implementation of the endorsed Shorten and Barrett Reserves Master Plan.

The Master Plan, endorsed in August 2024, includes a cycleable plaza, a new sports oval, new cricket nets, an improved playground and a second indoor court in a new RecWest Centre. It also includes a framework for ongoing development at the reserve.

As part of the project, we will be keeping the community updated with regular information sessions and information on this page. 

Following the closure of RecWest to prepare for the demolition stage, residents can continue to share their favourite memories of RecWest with us below. 

This project is being funded by both Maribyrnong City Council and the Victorian Government.

Project Details

Project Details

Project Overview

As shown in the endorsed master plan, this project involves: 

  • Demolition of existing site features
  • Closure of Market Street
  • Construction of a new RecWest facility
  • Major reconstruction of Shorten Reserve Oval addressing long term surface challenges
  • Upgrading the existing Shorten Reserve pavilion
  • Playground, community plaza and surrounding landscaping 


Stage 1 - Demolition works 

Site establishment will include the complete closure of Shorten Reserve, Barrett Reserve, RecWest and Market Street. Following this closure, demolition works will proceed on the RecWest facility and earthworks on Shorten Reserve.

Stage 2 - Design and construction works

Following a tender process, Council will appoint a contractor to deliver design and construction services to implement the master plan. 

Community Information Sessions

Join one of our community information sessions on:

  • Wednesday 8 October 2025 from 6:30pm at Town Hall, Footscray
  • Wednesday 10 December 2025 from 6:30pm at Town Hall, Footscray
  • Wednesday 25 March 2025 from 6:30pm at Town Hall, Footscray

  • Wednesday 24 June 2026 from 6:30pm at Town Hall, Footscray

Project Schedule

Milestone                     Status          
Masterplan Endorsed 
Market Street Road closure Endorsed
Transition plans for community stakeholders  Ongoing  
RecWest closure  Complete
RecWest community event  Complete
Shorten and Barrett Reserve closure Complete
Commence Stage 1 earthworks and demolition  Started 
Tender for Stage 2 design and construct contractor November/December 2025
Stage 2 construction commencement May/June2026
Project completion December 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

Ground Works

What works are required to prepare Shorten Reserve for ground improvements?

  • Shorten Reserve sports field is located within a former bluestone quarry, which later became a landfill site.
  • This playing field is located on material that is unstable and results in the uneven ground. 
  • These undulations present challenges to users and to ground maintenance staff.  This is why we are undertaking significant ground improvement works to upgrade the sports field.
  • To improve the ground conditions at this site, compaction is required to prepare a foundation that is suitable to rebuild a quality sports field at Shorten Reserve. Compaction includes adding additional soil and pressing it down to make the playing field more stable.

What is the methodology for site compaction?

  • The method of compaction is to use a heavy roller, which is a large construction vehicle/plant designed to compact earth. This methodology, in combination with the placement of additional soil (surcharge), has been selected as having the least possible impact on surrounding residents.
  • This vehicle will drive across the field with a roller to compress the surface.
  • In addition to the heavy roller, field compaction will be achieved using imported surcharge.  Approximately 1.5 metres of clean soil will be placed on the field, and the weight of the material will drop the playing surface beneath it by 0.5 metres over a 12 month period.
  • Once complete, the material will be removed to expose a suitable base that will be used to reconstruct a sports field on.

What is the ground works schedule?

Remove and stockpile the topsoil from Shorten Reserve for reuse. This involves digging just the top 150mm of topsoil.

In progress

Rolling begins

13 October

Surcharge installation

November – January 2026 (Subject to the above)

Surcharge removal

January 2027 (TBC)

 

*Please refer to the project timeframes above for overarching project delivery dates.

What are the details of the surcharge installation process?

  • Surcharge will be brought to the site entering from Market Street via Barkly Street.
  • After the soil has been in place for 12 months, trucks will be required to remove the material.  
  • These works will be delivered in accordance with EPA guidelines and the construction management plan. As such, dust mitigation measures are planned with the use of grass coverage across the entire site.
  • The delivery and placement of surcharge is expected in November with dates to be confirmed following the rolling process.
  • Council will keep the community informed of the compaction process and provide a minimum of 10 days’ notice prior to the delivery and installation of surcharge.
  • Any material imported to Shorten Reserve for compaction works will be clean material.

What are the details of the compaction rolling process?

  • The roller will begin works in the centre and progressively move closer to the site periphery.

Is there a risk of damage to surrounding properties?

  • There is no risk of property damage as council will be using a conventional heavy rolling method & surcharge.
  • Council will not use the impact roller due to the ground disturbances that it causes.

What if I remain concerned about damage to my property but my property is not within the area for dilapidation reporting?

  • All properties within the quarry zone have been invited to undertake a dilapidation assessment to document the condition of their property before works begin. This has been undertaken as a precautionary measure only.
  • Property owners located outside the quarry footprint are welcome to undertake their own dilapidation assessment for peace of mind.

Is council going to dig into the field and former landfill?

  • Council will only remove the top 150mm layer of topsoil on Shorten Reserve as part of the Stage 1 demolition and ground works package.

Traffic Management & Construction Hours

How are construction vehicles going to access the Shorten RecWest construction site?

  • Vehicles will enter the construction site from the south using Market Street via Barkly Street.

 

 

Construction Hours

When will these construction works be delivered?

Monday – Friday 7am- 6pm

Saturday – 9am -3pm

 

Tree removals

Are trees being removed as part of this project?

The Master Plan will improve the environmental condition of the site by increasing tree canopy cover and diversity of plant species and types.

As per the endorsed Master Plan report, there is a need for some tree removals where construction is required.

The endorsed Master Plan projected a net increase of 91 trees which has since been increased to 106 trees. 

Where are the trees being removed?

Trees are being removed from both Shorten and Barrett Reserve in areas that are impacted by the stadium, carpark, Market Street plaza, Playground and playing field repositioning. 

 

How many trees are being removed?

83 trees are scheduled for removal.

 

How many trees will be planted upon project completion?

189 trees will be planted.

Has the funding from the state government been confirmed?

The Victorian Government has committed $10 million towards the overall Master Plan implementation.

What is the plan for RecWest and Shorten groups and sports?

Transition plans have been developed with RecWest, sports groups and community organisations to support their activities during construction.

Is there an opportunity for the community to influence the design?

Council is working with user group representatives to refine the design, we are asking these groups to involve their members.

What is the reason for a proposed second sports court at RecWest?

Indoor sports within Maribyrnong suffer from a significant deficiency in facilities as identified in Councils Indoor Sports Strategy. This additional court will help address this shortage and support these sports.

Will the gym be open 24/7?

Yes, the gym is proposed to be open 24/7. This is in response to changing community lifestyles and reflects Maribyrnong's 24/7 workforce. The gym will be monitored to ensure it meets community expectations.

Where will accessible car parks be located?

The location and quantity of accessible car parks will be finalised during the civil engineering design.

Is the proposed playing field and pavilion compliant?

The Shorten Reserve playing field has been extended on request from the user groups to 100x145m.

The increased ground size will accommodate senior and junior cricket and football. 

 

Where will clubs play and train during the construction period?

Council has worked closely with all impacted users groups to find suitable temporary locations.

Questions

If you have a question about this project or the information on this webpage, please reach out using the contact details shown above.

Image Gallery


Past projects

2024 Shorten and Barrett Reserve Master Plan Development

In 2020 Council endorsed the West Footscray Community Facilities Plan proposing significant upgrades to address the ageing assets and problematic ground conditions. With the residential population increasing, improvements to the reserves to cater for the existing and forecast growth were recommended in the Maribyrnong Open Space Strategy.

Following further engagement with the community in 2023 that reached 2,300 members of the community, the Shorten and Barrett Reserves Master Plan was endorsed at the August 2024 meeting.

This will see Market Street realigned to create a cycleable plaza, accommodate a senior cricket compliant sized oval, new cricket nets, and improved playground; and a second indoor court in a new RecWest Centre. The pavilion at Shorten Reserve will remain at its current location.

Changes influenced by community feedback include:

  • Identifying the publicly accessible toilets on the Master Plan.
  • Removal of references to parking along Essex Street, recognising no changes to parking conditions are proposed.
  • Considering additional natural and built shade opportunities during detailed design.
  • Deferring consideration of altering Graham Street.

You can learn more via the Engagement Summary Report

Government has committed $10 million to the project and money has also been allocated in Council’s Budget for 2024/25 to progress detailed design with a view to starting works in the next financial year.

You can also read the report to Council or view a livestream of the August Council meeting on our website.

   

Location

Essex Street, West Footscray 3012  View Map

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