A major redevelopment of the Buchan Recreation Reserve in the township famous for its iconic caves is now complete, with local sporting clubs, community groups and residents set to return to the upgraded facility on Sunday 14 June for a grand opening and a celebration of the community-led project's completion.
Buchan serves as a key sporting, recreation and emergency gathering point for the local community and surrounding district.
More than $6 million has been invested to transform the reserve into a modern multi-use community hub, delivering a new pavilion, upgraded sporting facilities, improved accessibility, and expanded community infrastructure designed to support recreation, events and emergency response for years to come.
The new pavilion includes a kitchen and bar, flexible community spaces and, importantly, ember protection, while works across the reserve have delivered significant upgrades to cricket, netball and tennis facilities, spectator areas and supporting infrastructure.
Mayor Jodie Ashworth said the community should feel a real sense of achievement in this major milestone for the town.
"This is a fantastic outcome for Buchan and district - a space the whole community can be proud of, delivered by community and Council," Cr Ashworth said. "The reserve plays such an important role here, and these upgrades ensure it will continue to support local sports and events, as well as emergency responses if needed."
Key features of the redevelopment include a new digital scoreboard, a playground, upgraded spectator and player facilities, and a relocated and enlarged oval with sub-surface irrigation and drainage.
The sporting precinct has also been significantly enhanced through the construction of new acrylic surface tennis and netball courts with floodlighting, player and scorer shelters, upgraded fencing and an integrated hit-up wall.
Cricket infrastructure improvements include two-lane practice nets, a synthetic cricket pitch and a sealed path connection to the reserve maintenance shed, pony club store and cricket storeroom facilities. The project also delivered 20 new horse yards to support equestrian activities at the reserve.
New floodlighting installed across the reserve will support extended training and competition use for local sporting clubs and community groups.
Powering this additional lighting is 85 solar panels and a 65kW battery system, which also improves energy resilience and supports the facility's role as an emergency response location.
Cr Ashworth thanked the community for its patience and support throughout construction.
"We know projects like this can take time, and we really appreciate the support of the Buchan community throughout the build," she said.
"We're looking forward to celebrating this important investment together on June 14."
The redevelopment was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victoria under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, alongside Council, Emergency Recovery Victoria and Sport and Recreation Victoria.
