Maroondah moves to sustainable energy

Home ground advantage: investing in the future of grassroots sport

As a result of funding from the Australian Government, Victorian Government and Council, several significant projects have been recently completed or are under construction. For more updates or photos on these and other developments, visit the project pages on Council’s website.

$4.5m HE Parker sporting pavilion unveiled

In April 2021, we marked the exciting completion of the new $4.5 million HE Parker sporting pavilion.

In a first at Maroondah, Council used an off-site pre-fabricated construction method for the sporting pavilion, which allowed building works to be completed in a shorter timeframe and with minimal disruption to clubs. The double-storey facility in HE Parker Reserve replaces the former 1960s clubrooms with a facility that now incorporates four female-friendly change rooms, a large multipurpose room and amenities, ensuring inclusiveness and all-abilities access. The new pavilion will support the anticipated growth of both the Heathmont Football and Cricket clubs, particularly with the increase of female junior and senior teams for football, and the introduction of a female cricket season. The facility is also home to Sport and Life Training (SALT) and will be utilised by the wider community. The pavilion complements the recently renovated lighting and sportsfield upgrade, creating a first-class cricket and football facility in the heart of Heathmont. The project was funded by $4 million from Council and $500,000 by the Australian Government, with the Victorian Government contributing $75,000 towards the fit-out.

The new-look HE Parker sporting pavilion.

$8m Dorset Recreational Reserve sports hub

Works are underway on a new pavilion at Dorset Recreation Reserve as part of a multi-million-dollar enhancement of the reserve. The new multipurpose community and sports hub will be home to Croydon City Soccer Club and Maroondah’s Burmese/ Myanmar community. The facility is being funded by Council with $2 million from the Australian Government and $2 million from the Victorian Government. These works form part of the enhancement plan for the reserve, which also includes upgrades to the open space and accessibility within the precinct with improved lighting, signage and carparking. The works from Stage 1 of the enhancement plan will include a multipurpose pavilion, two new soccer pitches (one synthetic) with lighting, and warm-up pitch/volley ball courts. Further enhancements to sporting facilities, lighting and pedestrian connectivity will be considered for implementation in future stages of the project.

A major enhancement of Dorset Recreation Reserve will ensure the sporting precinct meets the future needs of our community.

Maroondah moves to sustainable energy

As a member of the Victorian Energy Collaboration, Council has joined forces to form the largest emissions reduction project ever undertaken by the local government sector in Australia.

As part of this initiative 46 Victorian Councils have combined their electricity needs into one long-term contract for renewable energy generated from wind farms here in Victoria. The VECO project doesn’t just benefit the environment – by joining together for the energy contract, each Council will be paying less for their power than if each Council had sourced their electricity individually. This is just one of the many ways that Council is working to reduce our carbon emissions. In 2020 Maroondah City Council was certified Carbon Neutral by Climate Active for our operations as a public statutory body. One of the ways we’re achieving this is through environmentally sustainable design, including installing solar panels on some of our major facilities including Realm and Aquanation. We are also upgrading our facilities with LED lighting and continuing our streetlight changeover rollout which has seen more than 6000 globes across Maroondah changed to more energy-efficient options. To find out more about our sustainability initiatives visit our website.

By using renewable energy we’ll be saving 260,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere – the same as taking 90,000 cars off the road.

RO Spencer Pavilion redevelopment works have begun as part of the Jubilee Park Enhancement Plan. The $3.5 million redevelopment of RO Spencer Pavilion includes a new facility with improved accessibility features; new change and toilet facilities; female-friendly amenities; social space and balcony; and designated office space.

The RO Spencer Pavilion serves the Jubilee Sporting precinct, and the Russell Lucas Oval is a Premier Grade cricket ground. The pavilion redevelopment is also part of a broader precinct enhancement plan that will see some key longer-term outcomes for the community to be implemented over the next 10 years.

An artist’s impression of the RO Spencer Pavilion.

Did you know?

Council manages 48 sporting ovals and 30 multipurpose sporting pavilions. We oversee sportsground usage and monitor the responsible use of our community facilities.

The $3.5 million redevelopment of the new Silcock Reserve pavilion is now complete, providing outstanding new facilities for several clubs and the broader community. The new-look pavilion features multipurpose spaces for enhanced community use, two umpire changerooms, undercover spectator area, all abilities access and social spaces with kitchen facilities in a modern, environmentally sensitive design. The accessible and female-friendly facilities will help to maximise participation across all ages, skill levels and genders.

The facility is one of Council’s most utilised pavilions and is currently home to the Croydon Ranges Cricket Club, Croydon Ranges Football Club and the Croydon and District Obedience Dog Club. The $3.5 million project was jointly funded by Council, which allocated $2.75 million, with the Australian Government contributing $500,000 and the Victorian Government $250,000.

New facilities at Silcock Reserve Pavilion will help to maximise participation across all ages. The redevelopment of Proclamation Park Sporting Pavilion will serve as an important space for local sports as well as passive recreation for the broader community.

Works are well underway on the new pavilion at Proclamation Park to make way for a new $3.25 million two-storey facility.

The new sporting pavilion at Proclamation Park will be positioned and designed to capture 180-degree views of the field. The facility will include new female-friendly change facilities to meet the growing female participation in cricket and baseball. In addition, there will be an accessible public toilet, social rooms, storage for clubs, and a first-floor level multipurpose room with kitchen, kiosk and spectator viewing area. The site of the existing pavilion will make way for much needed additional carparking capacity for this well utilised reserve. The new pavilion will be home to the Ringwood Saints Baseball Club, the Ringwood Cricket Club and Heathmont Cricket Club. The $3.25 million project is being funded by Council, which includes a recently announced $100,000 funding contribution from the Victorian Government and $20,000 from Cricket Victoria.

Stormwater drainage upgrades have positive flow-on effect

To ensure we can withstand heavy rain events, Council is investing in drainage upgrades across Maroondah. Major rehabilitation and drainage works are currently underway in the Sherbrook catchment area as well as along New Street, Ringwood, from Maroondah Highway to Sylvia Grove. A staged drainage upgrade in the Sherbrook drainage catchment (pictured) is a significant project, with the first stage nearing completion. The project has involved the installation of an 1800mm diameter drainage outfall to the Mullum Mullum Creek through Sherbrook Reserve. The works will divert the Sherbrook catchment outfall down New Street, Ringwood. This will reduce the risk of flood to properties within the Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre. The installation of a large pollutant trap will also help to capture pollutants before they enter the Mullum Mullum Creek waterway. The works were identified following an extensive flood modelling project which found drainage upgrades were needed to manage the impacts during extreme weather events.

Council maintains 367 kilometres of stormwater drainage pipes.

Karralyka set for the stage for second half of the year

It’s been an exciting first half of the year as Karralyka welcomed back audiences to live theatre with a dazzling array of shows.

Whatever your age and whatever your taste, Karralyka’s 2021 theatre season program promises something for everyone - from music, song, dance and comedy. There are many new and exciting performances each month and Karralyka has made it easy for you to stay informed with an up-to-date list of live, and live-streamed, performances available on their website. The website also includes an online ticketing system and interactive seat map, giving you the ability to choose your own theatre seats and take a virtual tour of the stage from where your seats are! The second half of the year sees the inspiring story of Australia’s first culinary queen brought to life on stage in Margaret Fulton: The Musical; and strap yourself in for a night of glittering glam rock and phenomenal acrobatics with Rebel, a live circus rock tribute to the original rebel, David Bowie. Karralyka’s Morning Music program continues to prove popular with seniors, with music and complimentary tea, coffee and treats offered throughout the year. And for younger theatre-goers, Karrakids provides fun and interactive educational performances, with art and craft sessions prior to each show. For four decades, Karralyka has been dedicated to bringing world-class performances to the widest possible local audience, making arts and culture accessible to everyone. So, if you’re looking for some fabulous high-quality musical entertainment, there’s no need to head for the city - it’s all here in the City of Maroondah! For all the latest shows and more, visit www.karralyka.com.au (Please be advised that dates for shows may be subject to change under COVID-19 restrictions).

Challenge yourself for Run Maroondah 2021

Keep an eye out for Early Bird entries for this year’s Run Maroondah event, which takes place on Sunday 19 September at HE Parker Reserve, Heathmont.

Run Maroondah is open to all ages and abilities. Individuals and families can join in the 10km run or the 5km run/walk, and children aged 14 and under can register for the 1.2km kids dash, all while enjoying the idyllic scenery of the city’s parks and trails. To get your training on track in time for the event, the Maroondah Community Runners Club offers free coaching sessions each Thursday from 6.30pm at Croydon Athletics Track. Focusing on technique, coordination, fitness and fun, the sessions are a great way to stay motivated while keeping active - all under the guidance of a qualified running coach. (Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult). The Run Maroondah course begins at HE Parker Reserve in Heathmont and continues along the Dandenong Creek trail. Run Maroondah is a smoke-free event, and dogs are not permitted. Keep a close eye on our website and social media for registration details closer to the date.

Hit your fitness goals in time for spring by entering this year’s Run Maroondah. Margaret Fulton: The Musical is sure to entertain all audiences at Karralyka.

Triathlon, duathlon coming to Maroondah

Local triathletes and duathlon hopefuls and residents wanting to challenge themselves can start preparing for the Tri & Duathlon Maroondah, coming to you this October!

Running a course through Town Park, Croydon, and swimming at Aquahub, this October’s Maroondah Tri & Duathlon is a great event for all fitness levels. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a keen cyclist or swimmer, or if you’re just starting out, runners, cyclists and swimmers of all levels and abilities have the chance to take part. If you’re not quite up to competing alone, you can also enter a Tri Team or the Duathlon Dash. This means you can work with other team members to complete the sections of the event. This is a great option for families wanting to participate together. Stay tuned for more details on our website closer to the event.