Sporting communities in Melbourne’s north can look forward to updated and more inclusive facilities at the Deep Rock sporting precinct, with draft designs developed for improvements at the pavilion in Yarra Bend Park.  

The designs have been informed by consultation with local sporting clubs late last year. We heard that users of the pavilion are keen to see separate female toilets, showers and facilities, and better lighting for improved safety.    

In response to this feedback, we plan to: 

• deliver refurbished changerooms and amenities for male and female players that include new toilets, showers and storage.
• install improved internal and external lighting so that players and spectators feel safer when visiting.
• Improve the entrance to the external public toilets for better privacy and accessibility.

The final designs will be subject to final project costings, and cultural heritage and environmental assessments and approvals.  

The Deep Rock sporting precinct is located in Yarra Bend Park, on Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs. It includes the Sir Herbert Olney Oval, the Deep Rock Pavilion and surrounding sporting fields. The precinct is currently used by local cricket and football clubs, and the site’s public toilets are accessible to people visiting the park.  

However, the existing facilities within the Deep Rock Pavilion are limited and do not provide separate toilets and changerooms for female players.    

These upgrades will provide more inclusive facilities at the precinct, so that more women and girls can get involved in community sport.  

The Victorian Government has invested $1 million to deliver the upgrades, as part of the Better Parks and Playgrounds Program and the Community Support Fund, which aim to provide better access to green open space for Victorians to exercise, relax and enjoy the outdoors. 

Also in Yarra Bend Park, Corben Oval is undergoing important works to restore the site’s power supply and make improvements to the pavilion. These works will enable sporting clubs and visitors to use the facilities again, following closures in 2019 due to a significant fault in the electrical power supply line.  

Further improvements to sport and recreation facilities have been delivered across the Parks Victoria estate, including an $8 million investment to build eight new netball courts and a shared-use pavilion at Fairlea Reserve, and new netball and cricket facilities in Olinda as part of the $7.6 million Olinda Precinct Stage 1 project. A $9.9 million investment has also been provided to deliver two sports fields, a small pavilion and shared-use trails at Jells Park. 

Find out more about the Deep Rock Pavilion upgrades at the Parks Victoria website.    

Pictured above: The Deep Rock Pavilion, which is set to receive upgrades as part of this project.