City Oval Redevelopment - FAQs
Published on 28 September 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
The City Oval/Sawyer Park redevelopment project is one of seven precincts included in the City to River Masterplan, and is the second to progress after work was completed on the riverfront precinct in 2023.
We have developed a list of frequently asked questions to help answer some of your queries, and update you on what, when and where and how individual projects will happen.
Is the oval being re-orientated?
No, it will stay as it currently is.
Original concepts as part of the Draft City to River Masterplan showed the oval re-orientated to run north-south with an expanded playing surface.
However re-orientation was abandoned following community consultation prior to the Masterplan’s adoption in 2021.
Will the size of the oval be increased?
The City Oval Concept Plan has the play-ing surface of the oval increasing by three meters on each side.
This is planned at a later stage of the redevelopment and depends on external funding.
What will happen to Hocking Street?
Hocking Street will remain a two-way straight road connecting O’Callaghans Parade and the bottom end of Firebrace Street.
Parking will be significantly improved. With sealed parking bays, upgraded drain-age, pedestrian crossings and footpaths on both sides of the street.
Why have trees along Hocking Street been removed?
This is to make room for the new netball pavilion and multipurpose stage as well the new footpaths.
Will the 2024 netball season be disrupt-ed?
Netball will be able to return to City Oval next season. The two new netball courts will be completed ready for round one. The netball pavilion will not be completed and alternative change room arrangements will be made.
Will the 2024 football season be disrupt-ed?
Football will not be interrupted at City Oval.
There will be changes to parking arrangements within the ground, and improved parking availability outside the ground following the completion of Hocking Street works.
When will the football clubrooms be replaced?
Council is advocating for state and federal government funding for a new single-story modern and accessible community pavil-ion and sporting change rooms.
The new facility will be available for community use.
HRCC is awaiting the outcome of a federal government Growing Regions Fund grant application which will allow the project to proceed.
What will the new multifunction stage be used for?
Horsham will be able to attract large scale music and entertainment events.
Streaming of these events live or graph-ics on large screens is part of the design and the new structure will accommodate removable LCD displays on each side and across the back of the stage.
Due to our regional location it is not feasible or economical for touring shows to bring all required infrastructure for these displays, so our stage has been designed to support the screens.
The Soundshell at Sawyer Park cannot now host modern music festivals because it has a limited capacity for patrons and performers and is more than 40 years old.
The new stage will meet contemporary sound and lighting requirements and be able to host up to 8,000 people.
Council will initially target the scheduling of two large events in the first year of operation, increasing tourism numbers by up to 15,000 people which would create an estimated $5 million boost to the Wim-mera economy.
It will also benefit local sports competitions on match days or presentations.
What’s happening with the grandstand?
A replacement grandstand on the Baker Street side of the oval is included in the City Oval concept plan.
The planning works will happen over the next financial year however construction will only take place when funding becomes available for this final stage of the City Oval precinct development.