Three years after resolving to begin community consultation on the project, the City of Greater Geelong has officially adopted the Ocean Grove Sporting Infrastructure Plan (OGSIP).
Council approved the final plan on Tuesday, voting unanimously to redevelop and upgrade the six outdoor sporting facilities covered by the plan: Shell Road, Memorial, Collendina, Devlins Road, Arthur Powell and Wallington recreation reserves.
The plan was scheduled to come before councillors at their March meeting, but was pushed back to allow for further engagement with clubs and other groups.
Support for the final plan has now been provided in writing by all key stakeholders.
Connewarre Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson said it was “fantastic” to finalise the plan.
“As we know, Ocean Grove’s population is expected to grow by nearly 15 per cent by 2035,” she said.
“We already see that growth; it’s projected to surpass 24,000 people. So there are many of these clubs (where) their infrastructure is already bursting at the seams, so we really need to look and plan ahead.”
The Devlins Road redevelopment – the priority project of the broader OGSIP – will see the Ocean Grove Soccer Club relocated to a purpose-built soccer complex at the site.
The soccer club’s current home at Shell Road Reserve would then be converted into a second football and cricket oval, with expanded cricket nets and an extra undercover netball court.
Further improvements and upgrades will be made at Collendina, Memorial, Arthur Powell and Wallington recreation reserves.
The plan itself rests on three foundational pillars: developing facilities that will support future growth and provide a wide range of opportunities for participation; enabling successful and sustainable clubs; and ensuring facilities are accessible and inclusive for players, officials, volunteers and spectators.
Cr Wilkinson said the three pillars would guide local sporting infrastructure into the future.
“It’s very exciting that the work is actually already underway… this is an exciting time for sport in Ocean Grove,” she said.
Murradoc Ward councillor Rowan Story said he commended the plan on the basis of its impacts on community health.
“The psychological, physical benefits, social connectedness, (and) general health benefits of sport are incontrovertible and this will materially advance those parts of our council plan and our preventative health survey results,” he said.
