The McIvor Reserve Master Plan sets the long-term direction for improvements at the reserve. It was adopted by Council in March 2023 following a 10-month period of community engagement.

It includes upgrades to sports fields, open space, paths, lighting, tree planting, car parking, visitor amenities, the dog park, soccer facilities and planning for a future indoor sports stadium.

The Master Plan is being delivered in stages as funding and design work progresses. Some projects have already been completed, while others are in design, under construction or subject to future funding.

Council endorsed the Master Plan in 2023 which provides council officers authorisation to implement its directions subject to funding and due diligence.

A Master Plan is a high-level strategic document that sets out a long-term vision and framework for how a place will develop over time, it generally articulates:

• Big-picture vision: describes the intended future use, character and layout of a site or area.

• Spatial layout: shows where key elements go (e.g. buildings, open space, roads, facilities).

• Staging and priorities: outlines what happens first, what comes later, and how development evolves.

• Flexible framework: provides direction but allows for refinement during detailed design.

Yes. The indoor stadium was included in the McIvor Reserve Master Plan adopted by Council in April 2023.

There is a shortage of indoor courts in Melbourne’s west, and demand is growing as the population increases.

Indoor sports facilities across inner Melbourne are already very busy. Demand is expected to double over the next 20 years, so new facilities are needed to avoid a serious shortage.

McIvor Reserve presents a viable opportunity to support the immediate need for a six-court facility in the south-west of the municipality. The proposed stadium would support local sporting clubs and associations to train and compete locally, while also providing space for schools, community activities, competitions and events.

Business planning for the stadium also identified strong future use, with the facility expected to attract around 170,000 visits in its first year.

McIvor Reserve is already an active sport and recreation precinct, with sports ovals, club facilities, a dog park and spaces for informal community use.

The proposed stadium would add indoor courts to an existing sports reserve.

McIvor Reserve was identified as a preferred site through earlier indoor stadium planning work. It is also well placed to support local clubs, schools, families and community users, with more than 100,000 people living within a 15-minute travel catchment.

The proposed stadium would give local families, clubs and schools better access to indoor sport close to home.

It would provide courts for training and competition and support sports such as basketball, netball, volleyball, futsal, badminton and pickleball.

There are 14 schools within a 15-minute travel catchment of McIvor Reserve. The facility could also support school and community events such as graduations, award nights, concerts and dance concerts.

Since the Master Plan was adopted, Council has continued planning, site investigations and design work for the proposed stadium and other reserve upgrades.

This has included testing different options for how the stadium could fit within the reserve, taking into account open space, trees, nearby residents, car parking, access and other uses.

The concept designs are being shared now because they are at a stage suitable for community comment and will also support Council’s advocacy to State and Federal Government.

No. These are concept designs only and show how a two-storey, six-court indoor sports stadium could fit within McIvor Reserve and support future funding applications.

If funding is secured, a detailed design process would follow, including further community engagement.

The stadium has been designed to fit in with the Reserve as much as possible. It is placed to follow the natural shape of the land and avoid taking away too much open space.

The size and height have been kept to a minimum so it doesn’t stand out too much or overpower the surroundings. Existing trees will be kept, and more will be planted to help screen the stadium and keep the park feeling green.

The materials and colours will be natural and subtle, so they blend in with the environment. Overall, the aim is for the stadium to feel like part of the park, not something that dominates it.

Different design options have been explored. This preferred option reduces impact compared to earlier concepts and saves about 20 trees.

The endorsed Master Plan proposed that 81 trees be removed to enable the creation of the indoor stadium. The revised design has reduced this to 61 trees related to the stadium.

For every tree removed, two new trees will be planted. Where appropriate, this will be like-for-like with species to enhance habitat, climate suitability, and canopy resilience, delivering a minimum net increase of 114 trees in the Reserve.

Council will review and consider all feedback received during this stage. It will help inform future planning and design as the project progresses.

This is primarily an information-sharing stage. If funding is secured, a more detailed engagement process would take place during detailed design.

Council is inviting feedback from nearby residents, reserve users, sporting clubs, community groups and anyone interested in the project.

Yes. If funding is secured, the detailed design phase would include further community engagement to help shape the final design.

Detailed design would begin once funding is secured and Council decides to progress the project to the next stage.

The current concept designs are being used to support advocacy and funding applications.

No. A construction start date has not been set. Construction would depend on funding being secured, completion of detailed design, an extensive community engagement process, future Council decisions and any required approvals.

No. Council has not yet secured the funding needed to deliver the stadium. The project is currently estimated to cost around $60 million.

Council is advocating to the State and Federal governments for funding support to help deliver the project.