The long-awaited Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct in New Gisborne is now open, unlocking
significant recreational and social benefits for the entire Macedon Ranges Shire area.

A culmination of decades of advocacy and planning by the council and the community, the precinct’s
$29-plus million first stage has delivered a three-court indoor sports hub, a natural turf oval with an adjoining sports pavilion and other facilities such as a playground, BBQ facilities and a fitness loop.

It will play host to a range of local user groups and sports including AFL, basketball, netball, badminton, volleyball and futsal, with facilities also available for hire for corporate or social functions to make the new precinct a true community space.

Victorian Government Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas were among those present in recent days to help open the new facilities.

They then toured the facilities alongside councillors and council staff, contractors, funding partners, primary user reference group members, other user groups and more.

Macedon Ranges Shire Mayor, Annette Death, said the precinct was the largest capital works project ever undertaken by the council, with the first stage made possible with generous funding support from the Victorian Government ($14.8 million), Melbourne Water ($377,590) and AFL Victoria ($100,000).

“The need for more indoor and outdoor recreational facilities in the region has long been identified in
our strategies, so we’re absolutely delighted to finally have a new state-of-the-art facility that will benefit our community for generations to come,” she said.

Along with the practical elements required of a modern sporting facility, the complex also features
innovative design and environmental elements such as solar panels, water-saving irrigation systems
and double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of natural light and surrounding views

Work is scheduled to start in coming days to upgrade the intersection of Barringo and Hamilton roads in New Gisborne, improving access and safety around the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct.

Expected to be completed by July this year, subject to weather and ground conditions, the works will see a realigned intersection with a new roundabout to replace the current intersection.This will support the expected increase in traffic and pedestrians following the full development of the precinct.

A signalised pedestrian crossing will also be installed to the west of the intersection in Hamilton Road and a zebra crossing along a raised platform to the north in Barringo Road, to improve pedestrian safety in mind of MRRSP patrons and nearby schools.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Assets and Operations Director Shane Walden said construction would be staged to minimise disruption, with sequential closures expected to Hamilton Road (east), Hamilton Road (west) and Barringo Road.

“The new roundabout and surrounding upgrades will be essential in providing better, safer connections to the new facilities,” he said.

“Council continues to work closely with all those nearby who may be more directly impacted by these works, including supporting the nearby schools to maintain safe connections and minimise disruptions for staff, students and parents as much as possible.”

Traffic management, detours and signage will be in place during the works, with full road closures required at times. Drivers are advised to expect some delays, particularly in the context of the separate Hamilton Road reconstruction works currently underway from the Kilmore Road intersection.

The intersection design was informed and refined through detailed planning work, alongside extensive consultation with nearby landowners and the broader community in 2021, when close to 75 per cent of 200 survey respondents said they preferred a roundabout over alternative signalised options.

The intersection works are part of Stage One of the MRRSP, which is expected to cost $29.7 million.

Stage One includes funding from the Victorian Government ($14.8 million, Local Sports Grant – Major Program and Growing Suburbs Fund), Melbourne Water ($343,200) and AFL Victoria ($100,000).

There was hope of an early opening of the stadium, however the higher-than-average rainfall between November and January has resulted in the opening date returning to July 2024.

“Council is working closely with all pre-booked stadium sporting clubs and user groups, to keep them updated and source alternate locations where necessary,” Mr Walden said.

“We’re looking forward to the facility opening and providing benefits for the broader Macedon Ranges community.”

Macedon Ranges Shire residents are being encouraged to have a role in shaping the future of Gisborne, New Gisborne and surrounds and to give feedback on the revised draft of the Gisborne Futures Structure Plan.

Currently open for consultation through to Monday 13 November, this plan will guide Gisborne’s development over the next 30 years and will set a protected settlement boundary to protect the surrounding landscape from further outward growth.

The vision is for Gisborne and New Gisborne to become vibrant ‘twin villages’ with plans for future housing, jobs, open space, transport and community services. It aims to make sure new development aligns with local character, landscape and cultural heritage values.

The council’s Director Planning and Environment, Rebecca Stockfeld, said New Gisborne had the potential to be an exemplar of sustainable community development with homes, shops and jobs all within walking distance of each other.

“Plans for wide, tree-lined streets and safe walking and cycling paths are designed to encourage residents to leave their cars at home,” she said. “Importantly, a new community hub will be a focal point, providing much-needed gathering spaces and social services”.

This plan has been over five years in the making and along with invaluable contributions from the community, it draws on an extensive amount of research and background work.

“We had a fantastic response from the community when we last consulted on the draft Gisborne Futures plans in 2020,” Ms Stockfeld said. “This led to a list of actions that we have been working through, and we believe it now strikes the right balance between providing more diverse and affordable housing while protecting the surrounding landscapes from outward sprawl.”

The Gisborne Futures project comprises three key planning documents that will guide sustainable growth for the township ─ a structure plan, an urban design framework for the town centre and a neighbourhood character study.

“The draft structure plan is ready for consultation, and work is continuing on the urban design framework and neighbourhood character study in the background,” Ms Stockfeld said. “These will be made available for community feedback once the high-level direction in the structure plan is resolved.”

The consultation period is open for six weeks, to allow ample time for community members and stakeholders to review the plan and provide feedback.

“I encourage residents to have a look at the plan, and to come along to a drop-in session to speak with Council officers and discuss any aspect of the plans,” Ms Stockfeld said. “If you can’t make it to a drop-in session, please call us to arrange a meeting at a time that suits you.”

Drop-in sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Saturday 21 October, Gisborne Village Shopping Centre, 22 Brantome Street, Gisborne, 2–5pm
• Thursday 26 October, Gisborne Community Centre, 8a Hamilton Street, Gisborne, 4–7pm
• Thursday 2 November, Ross Watt Children’s Hall, 252 Station Road, New Gisborne, 4–7pm

Alternatively, visit the Gisborne Administration Centre at 40 Robertson Street, Gisborne on Thursday mornings (10am – 12pm) or Friday afternoons (2:30pm – 4:30pm) during the consultation period.

Feedback can be submitted via an online survey or a written submission.

Those interested can view the draft Gisborne Futures Structure Plan and supporting documents, find information about upcoming drop-in sessions or submit feedback at Have your say: Gisborne Futures Structure Plan.

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council has announced the appointment of builder Monaco Hickey to complete the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct’s first stage in New Gisborne, with work to recommence this month.
The council has been working collaboratively with administrators and potential contractors behind the
scenes on a resolution following the announcement of Lloyd Group going into voluntary administration
and works pausing in late March.
Council’s CEO Bernie O’Sullivan (pictured above) said securing the priority project’s future given the difficult
circumstances was very welcome and minimises the impact on the project’s momentum.
“It is very pleasing to announce this appointment, and we have ensured that we’ve completed the
necessary due diligence,” he said.
“As part of the agreement, the contractor has agreed to re-engage existing subcontractors and site
staff wherever possible. This was an important consideration for Council, knowing there were a
number of local companies and workers on the books previously.
“We’ll continue to work productively with all key stakeholders – including Monaco Hickey, the Victorian
Government, Melbourne Water, AFL Victoria, the Primary User Reference Group and the community
more broadly – to progress what will be such an important recreational addition for the shire.”
Melbourne-based Monaco Hickey is a division of wholly Australian-owned business Roberts Co.
Roberts Co is a national tier-one construction company that delivers major projects in many sectors
including commercial, health, education, hospitality and residential.
Work on stage one of the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct began last year, with significant
progress made since, including site setup, drainage, utility connections, building foundations,
earthworks on the new oval and structural works on the sports hub.
The ~$26 million first stage consists of a three-court sports hub, a natural turf oval and sports pavilion,
passive recreation facilities, landscaping and associated infrastructure.
Stage one of the project is targeted for completion by mid-2024. For more information and project
updates, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/MRRSP

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is inviting community feedback to help shape the future direction of the Ross Watt Reserve in New Gisborne.

The local reserve is recognised as an important area of passive and active open space and currently offers grassed areas, a playground, public toilets, BMX humps and tennis facilities with four courts.

Future upgrades that have so far been identified include a new tennis pavilion, two new synthetic grass courts and a picnic shelter with a barbecue.

Like other recreational master plans recently endorsed or underway, this will provide a long-term road
map for the future development and improvement of Ross Watt Reserve in a pre-planned, strategic
manner, with individual projects being subject to funding and detailed design.

The council is receiving public feedback on the draft Ross Watt Reserve Master Plan from 2 to 30 June, with more information available at mrsc.vic.gov.au/your-say