RecWest and Shorten Reserve

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. 

Join one of our community information sessions at the Civic Precinct and Community Hub, 61 Napier Street, Footscray:

• Wednesday 25 March 2025 from 6:00pm

• Wednesday 24 June 2026 from 6:00pm

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, 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?

*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 will commence in December
• 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.

What are the white sheets that have been applied over the field?

A number of particularly soft areas have been revealed throughout the earthworks phase. These areas are unable to achieve the compaction results required to reconstruct the sports field. Geo textile fabric has been applied to these areas before being covered with rock and soil. This method is commonly used to stabilise ground conditions for a sports field.

What is the orange layer being applied across Shorten Reserve this week?

As outlined in the details above, imported soil is applied to Shorten Reserve to compact the field and achieve the designed surface level.

An orange layer of geofabric material is being applied to the field to separate the two different imported soils types.

Soil placed above this material will be removed before reconstructing the field.

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

Trucks will continue to enter the project site via Market Street.

What are the expected truck movements on site?

A large amount of soil will begin arriving on site from 12-19 December 2025 and continuing 13-31 January 2026 during construction hours.

You may notice:

• A large number of truck movements into site from Market Street.
• Trucks will travel from Geelong Road to Barkly Street and Market Street.
• Market Street will be cleaned by a street sweeper twice daily.

What are the construction hours?

Monday to Friday: 7am-6pm

Saturday: 9am-3pm

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.

Replanting details 

Trees will be planted using 45 litre stock.

These trees will be approximately 1.8m tall at the time of planting and supported with timber stakes, mulch and regular watering over a 2 year establishment program.

This ensures that planted trees have the highest chance of establishment.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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. 

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

Is there an opportunity to harvest stormwater for irrigation?

Council is working with Greater Western Water to explore opportunities to minimize water consumption with the use of harvested stormwater.