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, BBQ, and picnic facilities
  • safer and better-lit pathways.

The impact

Truck movements at Lagoon Reserve

Residents may notice increased truck movements along Esplanade West from 4 March until the end of March as we prepare to lay turf.

The footpath along the eastern side of Esplanade West will remain closed and traffic management will be in place.

Resident access to the street will not be affected.

While the lighting project will have no impact on clubs or the public’s ability to use the reserve, the ground resurfacing project will likely mean the ground is not accessible between approximately late-2023 to mid-2024.

A small area at the southern end of Lagoon Reserve will remain open during the initial stage of construction to facilitate dog walking and other passive recreation during the early stage of works. 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).

These are the best conditions for the grass to grow and establish and this is why it is essential to resurface during this period.

Construction of the pavilion is proposed for the mid-2024 to mid-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.

The park will be closed on Wednesday 27 December from 6 am for spraying. It will reopen the following day once grass has dried.

Objectives

The upgrade to the playing surface supports the health and wellbeing of our local community.

The upgrade will support opportunities for increased sport participation particularly for junior and female participants as well as the broader local community.

Our proposed upgrade aims to benefit the surrounding community and minimise impact by:

  • minimising loss of trees and open space
  • protecting and enhancing the natural look and feel of the reserve
  • encouraging and supporting a diversity of community-based sports and recreation
  • recognising the reserve as a multi-purpose community space.

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

We are improving the playing surfaces as part of our Sportsground Renewal Program. 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 for a short time over the holidays from 23 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.

A small area at the southern end of Lagoon Reserve will remain open during the initial stage of construction to facilitate dog walking and other passive recreation during the early stage of works. 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).

Stage two

Pavilion, BBQ, picnic area 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 a new BBQ area including picnic facilities and a path lighting upgrade for safety.

Lighting

The sports lighting upgrade uses the latest technology to improve lighting coverage of the grounds and will provide greater opportunities for recreation and sport. The upgrade includes four new poles, positioned to  allow for light to focus directly on the sports ground area, eliminating light spill to surrounding areas.

The light on top of the pavilion will be removed. The upgrade will use high-performance exterior lighting technology with the latest LED and

dimming technology that will lower power consumption, eliminate upward light, and increase lamp life. Timing will be controlled remotely so they will turn off automatically.

Australian standards require a light level of 10 lux to property boundaries to avoid excessive light exposure to residents. To ensure nearby residents are not unduly impacted, our lighting plan aims for less than five lux at property boundaries.