Lagoon Reserve upgrade

We're upgrading Lagoon Reserve to provide our local community with greater access to better sport and recreation opportunities.

Location

Lagoon Reserve, Port Melbourne

Cost

Council's budget for this project is approximately $15 million. This includes an upgrade to the entire reserve including a new pavilion, cricket nets, public toilets, BBQ, picnic facilities, a reconstructed sports field, new sports ground lighting and upgraded path network. A large portion of the cost goes to managing contaminated soil onsite and the EPA requirements of managing the soil.

Milestones

Why are we doing this?

We are committed to providing our local community with greater access to sport and recreation opportunities.

Lagoon Reserve is a popular spot for sports clubs and local residents who use the area recreationally. 

Due to poor soil, uneven surface, and lack of drainage, the sports field is in poor condition. This has impacted the ability of local sports clubs and community members to use the grounds. The sports fields, pavilion, and public toilet are in need of an upgrade to meet sports club and community requirements.

This redevelopment includes:

  • reconstructed sports field with improved levels, grass coverage, drainage, and lighting
  • new pavilion including new player and umpire change rooms that are inclusive for all, first aid room, kitchen, multi-purpose community spaces, and accessible public toilets
  • new cricket nets, an improved BBQ area and picnic facilities
  • safer and better-lit pathways.

The impact

Turf Establishment Period

The establishment period is now complete. The reserve was reopened to the public in October 2024. T

Lighting

The lighting at Lagoon Reserve was tested in June. Improved pathway lighting will be installed as part of Stage 2 works. 

Pavilion Construction

Construction of the pavilion is proposed between July 2025 to October 2025. Clubs and user groups will be advised well in advance regarding any disruptions in accessing the ground.

All disruptions will be minimised as much as possible and alternative options will be communicated in advance.

Objectives

The renewal and upgrade of the Lagoon Reserve Pavilion will provide a suitably designed facility that will provide for existing club growth and attract other clubs to utilise Lagoon Reserve, taking pressure off the nearby sports facilities, particularly during peak periods and construction works at other reserves. 

Project Update - May 2025

Stage 2 Works Underway at the Reserve

Stage 2 of the reserve’s improvement works began in April 2025 and will continue until October 2025. While the reserve will remain open to the public throughout this period, some access points and sections may be temporarily restricted to accommodate construction:

  • Eastern Side: Works on the eastern side were completed between April and May, and this area is now fully accessible to the public.
  • Western Side: Construction has now moved to the western side, with completion and reopening anticipated by late May.
  • Northern Side & Pavilion: The final phase of works, including the new pavilion, is scheduled for completion in October.

As part of the project, a Tree Impact Assessment was conducted by qualified arborists to identify trees requiring removal due to health concerns, safety risks, and the need for emergency vehicle access. To maintain the reserve’s green space, Council has committed to planting two new trees for every tree removed, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable environment for the future.

To support ongoing maintenance and construction, a temporary vehicle access point will be installed on Esplanade West, with several car parks also temporarily closed during the works. These will be reopened once construction is complete, and the access point will be removed.

The Liardet Street Emergency Services vehicle access point will be relocated to Esplanade West, as to provide direct and through access to the reserve and pavilion. 

We appreciate your patience and support as we work to enhance this space for the community.

What to expect

Stage two

Pavilion, BBQ, picnic area, landscaping, pathway upgrades and path lighting

A much-needed upgrade to the pavilion will include accessible and inclusive change rooms, amenities, kitchen, community space and public toilets.

The reserve will also be updated with an improved BBQ area including picnic facilities, landscaping, pathways and path lighting upgrade for safety.

Project Update - October 2024

An exciting milestone has been reached, with the testing of the new lights at Lagoon Reserve complete This project has been a long time in the making and we anticipate the field to reopen in October. The pavilion works on site will be around April - October 2025, noting off site modular works in the interim.

An image from a lighting test at Lagoon Reserve in June.

What to expect

Stage one

Sports Field reconstruction, new cricket nets, sports lighting and new granitic sand path along the western and southern sides of the field

Works to improve the playing surfaces is now complete. These works will complement the lighting improvements and provide level playing surfaces for improved safety.

The toilets in this location will be closed while we upgrade the sports field and other facilities. Toilets are available in Edwards Park – a three-minute walk across the road.

The park will reopen to the pubic in October 2024, following the turf establishment period. The closest other dog off leash options are Gasworks Arts Park (400m) or the Beach between Port Melbourne Yacht Club and Lagoon Pier (2.3km).

About the Reserve

Lagoon Reserve in Port Melbourne is located on land reclaimed from a former lagoon which is heavily used for a variety of activities including: dog walking, competitive sport (soccer and cricket), physical education classes (Albert Park Secondary College (APSC)) and other passive recreation activities.

Facilities currently within the Reserve include:

  • A small sports pavilion (built in 1950s), comprising a small kitchen, two change rooms with showers & toilets and public toilets;
  • A sports field that is suitably sized for junior and lower grade senior cricket and soccer competition and training; The only lighting to the reserve is a single spotlight mounted on the Pavilion roof. There is a history of considerable community concern about the impact of lighting at the reserve on neighbouring properties.
  • Three cricket practice nets, barbeque, picnic facilities, seating and a pedestrian path;
  • Extensive garden beds which contain native flora and fauna of the local area. These have been developed and maintained in partnership with local community groups over many years.

There are three clubs using the Reserve regularly:

  1. Port Phillip Spiders Soccer Club 
  2. South Melbourne District Cricket Club 
  3. Emerald Hill Cricket Club

Contact us

The Open Space Project Delivery team is here to help.

Send us a message on My Port Phillip.

Phone: 03 9209 6777