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Buchan Recreation Reserve redevelopment completed, delivering upgraded sporting, community and emergency facilities for local residentsBuchan Recreation Reserve redevelopment is complete, delivering a $6 million upgraded multi-use community, sporting and emergency hub ahead of its June 14 reopening. By news@gippsland - 1st June 2026 - Back to News A major redevelopment of the Buchan Recreation Reserve [ Read more about Buchan - Recreation Reserve Upgrade https://yoursay.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/buchan-recreation-reserve-upgrade ] in the township famous for its iconic caves is now complete, with local sporting clubs, community groups and residents set to return to the upgraded facility on Sunday 14 June for a grand opening and a celebration of the community-led project’s completion. 
More than $6 million upgraded the reserve into a multi-use hub with pavilion, improved accessibility, sport facilities and emergency-ready infrastructure Buchan reserve upgradeBuchan serves as a key sporting, recreation and emergency gathering point for the local community and surrounding district. More than $6 million has been invested to transform the reserve into a modern multi-use community hub, delivering a new pavilion, upgraded sporting facilities, improved accessibility, and expanded community infrastructure designed to support recreation, events and emergency response for years to come. The new pavilion includes a kitchen and bar, flexible community spaces and, importantly, member protection, while works across the reserve have delivered significant upgrades to cricket, netball and tennis facilities, spectator areas and supporting infrastructure. Mayor Jodie Ashworth said the community should feel a real sense of achievement in this major milestone for the town. "This is a fantastic outcome for Buchan and district - a space the whole community can be proud of, delivered by community and Council. The reserve plays such an important role here, and these upgrades ensure it will continue to support local sports and events, as well as emergency responses if needed." Sporting upgrade deliveredKey features of the redevelopment include a new digital scoreboard, a playground, upgraded spectator and player facilities, and a relocated and enlarged oval with sub-surface irrigation and drainage. The sporting precinct has also been significantly enhanced through the construction of new acrylic surface tennis and netball courts with floodlighting, player and scorer shelters, upgraded fencing and an integrated hit-up wall. Cricket infrastructure improvements include two-lane practice nets, a synthetic cricket pitch and a sealed path connection to the reserve maintenance shed, pony club store and cricket storeroom facilities. The project also delivered 20 new horse yards to support equestrian activities at the reserve. New floodlighting installed across the reserve will support extended training and competition use for local sporting clubs and community groups. Powering this additional lighting is 85 solar panels and a 65kW battery system, which also improves energy resilience and supports the facility’s role as an emergency response location. Thanks to the communityCr Ashworth thanked the community for its patience and support throughout construction. "We know projects like this can take time, and we really appreciate the support of the Buchan community throughout the build. We’re looking forward to celebrating this important investment together on June 14," she said. The redevelopment was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victoria governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, alongside Council, Emergency Recovery Victoria and Sport and Recreation Victoria. The Buchan Recreation Reserve netball and tennis court upgrades were supported by the Victorian Government with a Community Sport and Recreation grant. Pictures from East Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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