At the 25 November Council Meeting, after careful consideration, Council resolved not to proceed with the consolidation of sport and recreation provision to a new undeveloped site within Clunes.

Council will now refocus the project back on renewing and upgrading works at the existing site Clunes Recreation Reserve (Bull Milgate Reserve), by developing a masterplan that will consider users, community, volunteers, flood history of the site, future growth of Clunes and how best to provide a high-quality sport and recreation precinct.

Further project funding of $60,000 and 12 months is required to complete the next phase of the project, which will be referred to the 2026/27 budget for consideration.

As the project moves forward, officers will continue to work with the Clunes Recreation Provision Feasibility Project Advisory Group with broad community and stakeholder consultation to be included.

Meeting Minutes and the recording of the 25 November Council meeting are available on Council's website.

Council acknowledges and thanks the Clunes Recreation Provision Feasibility Project Advisory Group (PAG) for their involvement and feedback over the lifecycle of the project.

Officers will continue to work with the PAG on the future provision of sport and recreation in Clunes.

The Queens Park and Pioneer Park Masterplans have been formally adopted at the 19 March Council Meeting. The minutes of the Council Meeting are available via this link Agendas and minutes.

The masterplans aim to identify and address gaps in infrastructure requirements; improve accessibility and safety environments; increase participation, visitation and reserve connection opportunities for the local community.

The Queens Park and Pioneer Park masterplans

Queens Park has 33 recommended actions including improving paths for pedestrians, protecting the trees and public toilets to be located near the playground.

Council has a pending grant application through the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Grant Program to install a shade structure over the Queens Park playspace – a priority project coming from the community feedback on the development of the Queens Park Masterplan.

Fingers crossed – funding outcomes will be provided through Council socials and media networks.

Pioneer Park has 18 recommended actions including making improvements to car parking and skating facilities, introducing signage, shelters and seating. The skate park will remain at the site.

Read the Queens and Pioneer Parks Masterplans for more information.

• The Clunes Recreation Provision Feasibility Advisory Group has been established to provide advice on further developing the draft Clunes Recreation Reserve (Bull Milgate) Reserve Masterplan and possible consolidation of sports and recreation provision to a new (greenfield) site.

The Project Advisory Group will:

• Continue to further investigate and consider an option analysis between a possible consolidation of sports and recreation provision to a new (greenfield) site and the existing Clunes Recreation (Bull Milgate) Reserve site.
• Determine how might we provide quality infrastructure that promotes community connection and active participation in Clunes.
• The Clunes Recreation Reserve Project Advisory Group (PAG) continue to meet regularly with a consultant recently engaged to undertake a detailed feasibility and business case to inform further discussion and decision-making on the future provision of sport and recreation in Clunes.
• Investigation has included confirming the scope on what sport and recreational elements need to be considered on a potential greenfield site.
• Discussion and exploration of a number of potential greenfield sites has occurred, which have been prioritised down to four sites which are a mixture of DEECA and Council owned land.
• An exercise has been undertaken with the PAG to determine what sport and recreational elements can fit on the four potential greenfield sites
• The consultant has also undertaken some preliminary analysis and research based on a set of criteria which has been discussed and used to assist with working with the PAG to determine a preferred site/s.
• Currently options are being considered to seek the PAG's advice to confirm a recommended preferred site/s.
• The next step is that PAG members will continue to work with the consultant in working up a concept plan/s on preferred site/s and revisiting the Clunes Recreation Reserve (Bull Milgate Reserve) and the Reserve’s opportunities to further develop the working draft Masterplan.
• Once the PAG is in a position to make a final recommendation to Council, this will need to be considered by Council including consideration of broader community engagement.

The masterplans have been informed by the following document:

• Recreation & Open Space Strategy 2016 – 2021
• Walking and Cycling Strategy 2011 Part 1
• Walking and Cycling Strategy 2011 Part 2
• Active Women & Girls Strategy
• PlaySpace Strategy 2020-2030
• Hepburn Heritage Strategy 202-2030
• Fertile ground: Hepburn Shire Economic Development Strategy 2016-2021
• Hepburn Shire Council Youth Strategy 2016-2021
• Hepburn Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2017 – 2021

There are also several sport specific strategies/ guidelines that are relevant to the development of the Clunes Recreation Reserve (Bull Milgate Reserve) Masterplan.

• Victorian Cricket Infrastructure Strategy 2018-2028
• AFL Goldfields Strategy 2017
• AFL Victoria ‘Growing the Heartland’ Football Facilities Development Strategy 2014-2020
• AFL Preferred Facility Guidelines
• Netball Victoria Statewide Facilities Strategy 2019-2022
• Netball Australia’s National Facilities Policy