Greater Shepparton City Council have adopted an updated Shepparton Sports City Master Plan to guide future development at the site and better respond to changing sporting trends.
The previous Master Plan, adopted in 2013, included a number of recommendations that had since been completed or were no longer valid. A review of the plan was required to ensure it aligned with the current facilities at the site which cover around 64 hectares and cater to a multitude of sports including athletics, badminton, soccer, BMX, hockey and table tennis.
The adopted updated Master Plan provides a strategic guide for the future planning of these sports and recreation facilities. It comes following extensive consultation conducted last year with stakeholder and user groups. Council also undertook post draft consultation which resulted in several changes made to the final document adopted at the July Council Meeting.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said the updated Master Plan addressed the condition of the current facilities, traffic, parking and pedestrian connections, and landscaping around the precinct.
"The Master Plan update will address and guide a future vision and development opportunities for sports and recreation facilities at Sports City which considers the aspirations of clubs, groups and State Sporting Associations," he said.
"It also takes into account the current and future needs of sport facilities, current and future trends in formal and informal sport and provides a needs-based approach to sports infrastructure planning."
The updated Master Plan takes into account the significant increase in female sports participation, the continuing population growth, and site specific planning which has occurred for some facilities within and around the precinct, including the Munarra Centre of Excellence and the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre. It also considers the need to improve linkages within the precinct and the connection of the precinct to the surrounding area.
The document includes more than 50 recommended projects which are listed as short or long term, with Council hoping to work through these in the coming years.
"We look forward to seeing these recommended projects come to life in future years to ensure Shepparton Sports City is continuing to evolve and improve," Cr Sali said.
"I encourage residents to visit Council's website and read the updated Master Plan to better understand the future direction of the site. Greater Shepparton is known for hosting first class sporting events and this Master Plan will ensure we continue to do this and continue to support the large sporting community who call our region home."
