To celebrate ‘Urban October’ we teamed up with SPORTENG to host educational seminars in two major regional locations in Victoria to recognise World Habitat Day (7th Oct) and World Cities Day (31st Oct).
The seminars, titled “Doing more with less – How to make your Fields of Play resilient to cater for mother nature and intended level of use” focused on upskilling attendees in field of play management. Our Grampians + Loddon Mallee seminar was held this week at the newly developed Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct Pavilion where attendees were also treated to a site tour from the team at Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
A wonderful opportunity for our regional members to get together, network and learn about effective solutions to enhance field of play resilience improving the playability and longevity of their sports fields. Thanks to all who attended and to our presenters SPORTENG and Macedon Ranges Shire Council for their time and expertise.
Event Photo Gallery
About Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct
The Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct is a three-stage – $44.5 million project incorporating expansive indoor and outdoor recreation.
A culmination of decades of advocacy and planning by Council and the community, the MRSP’s over-$29 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.
Council’s Mayor, Annette Death, said the MRSP was the largest capital works project ever undertaken by 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).
With the MRSP’s first stage now complete, detailed design and documentation for the ~$17 million second stage is continuing and includes a terrific $15 million from the Australian Government. Council is also continuing to advocate for a final ~$8 million required for a third stage to include other upgrades within the precinct’s master plan.
The second stage, which is targeted to commence construction by early 2025, will essentially double the current sports hub capacity with an additional three courts, additional amenities, an additional AFL/cricket oval, two outdoor sports courts and additional car parking and landscaping.
About the Intiatives
 | Urban October Urban October is an opportunity for everyone to be part of the conversation about the challenges and opportunities created by the fast rate of change in our cities and towns. Each October, everyone interested in sustainable urbanization from national and local governments to universities, NGOs and communities is encouraged to hold or participate in activities, events, and discussions. The month begins with World Habitat Day on the first Monday of the month, and ends with World Cities Day on 31 October. In recognition, Parks and Leisure Australia (VIC/TAS) is teaming up with SPORTENG to host seminars on each day. |
 | World Habitat Day World Habitat Day is marked on the first Monday of October each year and is recognized by the United Nations. World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986 to reflect on the state of towns and cities and is intended to remind the world that everyone has the power and the responsibility to shape the future of towns and cities. |
 | World Cities Day World Cities Day brings Urban October to an end on 31 October each year and was first celebrated in 2014. World Cities Day is an annual United Nations observance day which aims to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization. The observance day ties in with Sustainable Development Goal 11, to make cities “inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. |