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Warragul Leisure Centre $11M expansion of community sports facilities opens 28 July 2024

The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion opens officially on July 28, funded by Baw Baw Shire Council and the Victorian government, it includes new courts and amenities, enhancing community sports facilities.

By news@gippsland - 10th July 2024 - Back to News

The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion will be celebrated with an official opening on Sunday 28 July, but local basketballers already got a chance to shoot some hoops in the brand-new venue this week. Participants in a small basketball tournament got a first look at the courts on Monday this week, while the popular Deadly Hoops match, part of council's NAIDOC Week celebrations, will also take place in the new section of the Leisure Centre, this Friday 12 July.

The $11 million project will see expansion of the existing indoor stadium from two to four courts to better service increased demand of indoor sports in Baw Baw Shire

Warragul stadium expansion

The Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion is one of council's largest ever recreational projects to date, valued at more than $12.8 million. Baw Baw Shire Council committed $6.8 million towards the project, in addition to a $6 million contribution from the Victorian government's Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.

The new stadium delivers much needed infrastructure for the growing Baw Baw Shire community, particularly for local basketball clubs, which boasts the highest numbers of participation of any sport in Baw Baw. The project includes:

• Construction of two new indoor (basketball/netball) courts
• Spectator seating and a lounge viewing area
• A new cafe and kitchen
• Referee change room
• First aid room
• Storage facilities
• Swim club store
• Public amenities including Changing Places accessible change room
• Improved pedestrian and parking access links between new and existing facilities

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP will join Baw Baw Shire Councillors, council officers and community members for an exciting opening and unveiling on Sunday 28 July, where the brand-new additions to the popular centre will be on full display, with an array of exciting events and activations also planned to celebrate the completion of this much anticipated project.

Stadium project partnership

Ms Shing said she was proud of the state government's investment into this project. "We are really proud to have partnered with council by funding $6 million to bring this stadium expansion to life - our record investment in community and sporting facilities like this across the region has helped clubs and teams to thrive, and encouraged people of all ages and abilities to get active and connect with their communities."

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said she was thrilled to see the new stadium in use this week and invited community members to come along at the end of the month to check it out and be part of the official opening festivities. "This major project has been long-awaited by our community, following a sod-turning in February 2023 to mark the start of construction."

"I am proud that between council and the state government we can provide these new, modern facilities, furthering opportunities for our local kids and families to take part in sport and get active, close to home," Cr McCabe said.

Opening event details

Visitors to the official opening later this month can expect free kid's netball and basketball clinics throughout the morning, as well as coffee vans and food trucks, face painting and lawn games in the cafe area. Formalities, including speeches from the Local Member of Parliament and Councillors and a ribbon cutting, will take place in the afternoon.

To find out more about the stadium expansion, visit Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium Expansion page. Further details about the opening event will be released on council's website and social media channels throughout the month.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  East Gippsland Landcare groups Moogji Aboriginal Council and FEVL received the First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award, while Romawi Landcare was highly commended for innovation and its ongoing conservation efforts.
• Baw Baw Shire Council wins Resilient Australia Award for inclusive emergency preparedness initiative supporting vulnerable communities
  Baw Baw Shire Council won a Resilient Australia Award for its inclusive emergency preparedness initiative, helping vulnerable residents and children build digital skills, resilience and readiness for future disasters.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges election commitments on hospital, roads, transport and infrastructure for growing communities
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging state and federal leaders to support local priorities, including a new hospital, transport, roads, housing, tourism and infrastructure, ahead of Victoria’s November election.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges residents to prepare properties and reduce fire risks ahead of summer season
  Baw Baw Shire Council urges residents to prepare properties for fire season by maintaining gardens, clearing vegetation and using free green waste drop-off days.
• Latrobe City urges state election candidates to back economic transformation, infrastructure investment, job creation and community safety priorities
  Latrobe City Council is urging Victorian election candidates to commit funding for economic development, infrastructure, job creation and community safety ahead of Yallourn Power Station 2028 closure.
• Baw Baw Shire Council keeps fortnightly red bins, weekly FOGO collections despite petition calling for weekly rubbish service
  Baw Baw Council will retain fortnightly red-bin and weekly FOGO collections despite a 6,139-signature petition seeking weekly rubbish services, citing $173,000 annual costs and reduced landfill waste.
• Wellington Shire Council retains in-house library service following review confirming best value for community needs
  Wellington Shire Council has endorsed the outcome of its Wellington Libraries Service Review, confirming library services will continue to be delivered as is.
• Baw Baw Shire Council launches the return of Gippy Girls Can in September with something for every woman
  Gippy Girls Can returns across Baw Baw in September, offering women and girls welcoming, beginner-friendly and affordable opportunities to try new activities, get active and connect.
• New drinking fountains improve free water access across Sale's popular recreation facilities
  Sale's major recreation facilities now offer improved free drinking water access, with new fountains at Aqua Energy, Port of Sale and Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, supporting hydration and reusable bottle use.
• Heyfield childcare faces closure after losing federal funding, putting local families, educators and essential community services at risk
  Heyfield's only childcare service faces closure after losing $270,000 in federal funding, prompting Darren Chester to seek urgent assistance while a Senate inquiry examines rural and regional child care access.
• South Gippsland residents invited to shape future heritage precincts across four townships through community consultation
  South Gippsland Shire Council is inviting residents across Loch, Fish Creek, Toora and Korumburra to help shape and protect their townships' unique heritage character.
• Darren Chester praises Schoolworks’ Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar celebrating Gippsland authors, illustrators and community love of reading
  Federal Member Darren Chester praised Schoolworks Supplies for hosting The Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar, featuring over 25 Gippsland authors and illustrators, free workshops, and celebrating local creativity, literacy and independent businesses.
• Marlo named sole East Gippsland finalist in Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, celebrating community spirit
  Marlo was East Gippsland’s sole finalist in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, recognised for its authentic visitor experiences and strong community-driven tourism campaign.
• Labor invests $120,000 to modernise Traralgon Library with new study pods and improved community spaces
  Harriet Shing joined Latrobe City Mayor Cr Gibson and councillors to announce a $120,000 library upgrade, jointly funded by government and council
• Wellington Shire Council backs campaign seeking greater rural investment, improved roads, infrastructure funding and regional economic growth
  Wellington Shire Council is backing Rural Councils Victoria’s campaign for greater investment in rural infrastructure, including roads, community facilities and a proposed $1 billion regional productivity and growth fund.
• Baw Baw Australia Day Awards nominations open, recognising local heroes, organisations and events, voting is until 30 October 2026
  Baw Baw Shire Council has opened nominations for the 2027 Australia Day Awards, recognising outstanding citizens, young people, organisations and community events making contributions locally.
• Stallholder applications open for 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo connecting families and community services
  Stallholder applications have opened for the 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo, offering organisations and entertainers the chance to connect with thousands of local families during National Children's Week celebrations.
• Southern Rural Water manages Gippsland storages during rainfall, balancing flood risks, water supplies and community safety
  Southern Rural Water managed Gippsland water storages during significant weekend rainfall, using controlled releases to create capacity, reduce flood risks and protect community safety and water supplies.
• East Gippsland Council endorses public toilet review to improve cleanliness, safety and maintenance across 88 facilities
  East Gippsland Council has endorsed a strategy to improve management of 88 public toilets, prioritising cleanliness, safety and maintenance through community feedback, targeted cleaning and better monitoring, with no facility closures proposed.
• Wellington Shire Council backs West Sale Airport for proposed Gippsland Police Academy training campus
  Wellington Shire Council will advocate for a Gippsland Police Academy at West Sale Airport, citing existing infrastructure, the former TAFE campus, expansion capacity and potential regional jobs, investment and training opportunities.
• Rob Moffatt officially joins Latrobe City Council as Morwell River Ward's newly elected councillor after by-election and oath of office
  Latrobe City Council has welcomed Rob Moffatt as Morwell River Ward's newly elected councillor. He formally commenced after taking his oath, joining the nine-member council for the remainder of its current term.
• Have your say on Wellington Shire Draft Urban Paths Plan to improve walking and cycling connections by 8 November 2026
  Wellington Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its Draft Urban Paths Plan to improve walking and cycling connections. Residents can complete an online survey from October 12 to November 8, 2026.
• Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson appointed as Baw Baw Shire new directors following recent organisational restructure
  Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson as new directors following a restructure reducing its executive leadership team from five to three.
• Baw Baw Employment Expo returns this September to connect job seekers with local employers and training providers
  Baw Baw Employment Expo returns September 30, connecting job seekers with local employers, vacancies and training providers. The free event also offers resume support, networking opportunities, industry insights, coffee vouchers and lunch.
• Bass Coast Shire Council seeks feedback on new waste charge proposal with various session dates in September and feedback closing on 21 October 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council is consulting on a proposed waste charge for all rateable properties, aiming to fairly share costs and improve transparency around community waste services.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• East Gippsland simplifies footpath permit fees, reducing costs for businesses while supporting safe, vibrant, accessible town centres
  East Gippsland Shire Council has introduced a simplified, tiered Goods on Footpath permit fee structure, reducing costs for many businesses while supporting vibrant town centres and maintaining safe, accessible public spaces.
• Australia Day Awards nominations closing soon and other council projects and program updates
  South Gippsland Shire Council shares updates on community awards, infrastructure, citizenship, seniors’ programs, events, grants, jobs, emergency preparedness, and public consultations about local swimming pools and essential community services.