Shorten Reserve and New Rec West Footscray next in line for upgrades

Published on 16 August 2023

A new pavilion and upgraded sports fields at Shorten Reserve and new recreation centre at the adjoining Barrett Reserve that our community have been asking for, is moving closer to reality.

Shorten Reserve was built on an old quarry and RecWest on a former landfill, and over time both sites have suffered subsidence issues which have impacted the buildings and surrounds and hindered the ability of the community to fully utilise the facilities.

Recognising the pressing need to accommodate existing and future demand, in 2020 Maribyrnong Council adopted the West Footscray Community Facilities Plan to support improvements across Shorten, Barrett and Johnson reserves that were identified during an extensive engagement with the community.

After completing further due diligence and additional geotechnical and environmental investigations, Council has now released a modified Shorten-Barrett Reserve Master Plan for further feedback before proceeding to detailed design.

The updated Master Plan shows a relocated pavilion to the north-west of Shorten Reserve, on the corner of Blandford and Essex streets - no longer abutting residential properties - and providing new, modern club rooms with universally accessible and gender-neutral amenities.

A reconfigured oval circled by a walking track, with new car parking and a reconfiguration of the existing cricket nets, are also identified on the updated Plan.

The footprint of the proposed new Rec West community facility has also been modified to incorporate a second indoor sports court, a new area for the Scouts, relocated bocce court and community meeting space.

There is also a new outdoor plaza planned to support markets and community events, linking both reserves, across what is currently Market Street.

Before any works could proceed, environmental, geotechnical and soil contamination reports have all confirmed the ground conditions across the wider site will need to be treated and stabilised to support any upgrades.

Government has committed $10 million to the project and money has also been allocated in Council’s Budget for 2023/24 to progress detailed design works at Shorten, Barrett, and Johnson reserves, where a new pavilion is also planned.

Message from the Mayor, Cr Sarah Carter:

“We know our community is eager to see these facilities upgraded, but given the significant investment required, it is also important we get this right.

“The modified Master Plan will ensure we are able to maximise the benefits from the redevelopment to better deliver on not just what our growing community needs but also what they have told us they want.”

“This includes the inclusion of a second indoor sports court at RecWest recognising the challenges of indoor sports provision in our municipality; maximising the surrounding outdoor space to support community connection and events; and ensuring user friendly and safe facilities at Shorten Reserve that will not only increase the capacity for both tenants and casual users to enjoy, but also reducing ongoing maintenance costs.”

Maribyrnong News

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