This project originates from Council’s adoption of the Bairnsdale Sporting Facilities Plan in September 2018 which identified the project as a high priority, due to the strong participation and growth in Netball, Hockey, Soccer and Futsal

The project has attracted significant investment from both the Australian Government and the Victorian State Government in collectively providing grant funding and the Victorian Government providing funds through a low interest loan scheme.

When complete, this Regional standard facility will provide:

• a new netball complex
• hockey pitches with lighting including one synthetic pitch
• new soccer pitches with lighting including one synthetic
• all associated works including access roads, paths, car parking and landscaping
• two pavilions to service multiple clubs across the sporting codes

Construction on the WORLD Sporting precinct project commenced in 2021, with the construction of the hockey pitches, main entrance and car parking well underway under Construction Package 1.

Construction Package 2 covering additional carparking and new netball courts was awarded in December 2021, with site works due to commence in April 2022 once the new carpark is available for use by Westdale Kindergarten.

Construction Package 3 which will deliver a new WORLD pavilion for use by netball and hockey clubs was recently awarded, with work on site due to commence in May.

Construction Packages 4 and 5 relate to the new soccer pitches and pavilion. The footprint for this part of the development is currently undergoing environmental assessment and EPBC approvals.

The acronym WORLD stands for Women's Organisation for Recreation, Leisure and Development

The construction package will allow the kindergarten to continue to provide services to the community, and a second Bairnsdale Netball Association season to go ahead.

Once built, this stage will provide a new car park to service the kindergarten. It will enable the existing car park and netball courts to be demolished and make way for a new regional level eight court netball precinct.