Whitehorse News - August 2023

A large part of our budget is made up of infrastructure, property, plant and equipment-related projects, which are included in our Capital Works program. The program focusses on renewing assets to maintain current service levels or implementing new projects which support a new or extended service to the community. Here are some of the projects which Council completed during the 2022/23 financial year. Read about upgrades to playspaces, roads, buildings, drainage, footpaths, sports fields and courts, active transport, carparks, parks and streetscapes and major projects and browse our image gallery.

Playspaces

Nine play spaces across Whitehorse were renewed during 2022/23 for a total cost of $1.4m.

The local play space at Branksome Grove Reserve, Blackburn South was completed in May, and included a dual swing set, pommel walk, climbing wall, crawl tunnel and a dual slide. A new retaining wall provides both a climbing play feature for the kids and a place for adults to sit and watch their children play.

Other playground renewals included: Warekila Reserve, Thatcher Reserve, Lucknow Court Reserve, Cootamundra Walk, Scarborough Reserve, Collina Glen, Fulton Reserve and Billabong Park.

Roads

Sydenham Lane, Surrey Hills was reconstructed between Valonia and Beatrice Avenue in February at a cost of $208,000. The works included removal and relaying of the existing bluestone pitchers.

Other road reconstructions completed in 2022/23 included:

• Enterprise Way, Mitcham
• Kerr Lane between Woodhouse Grove and Elgar Road, Box Hill North
• Watts Street/Court Street laneway, Box Hill.

Buildings

The Heatherdale Reserve pavilion upgrade was completed in March. It boasts a multi-purpose room, multiple changerooms, a new kitchen and other amenities for sporting and community use. The project was funded by $3.5m from Council, along with $2.0m from the Federal Government and $200,000 from the State Government.

Other projects completed in 2022/23 included:

• The brand new $2.9m RHL Sparks Reserve western pavilion was completed in February, which included $500,000 State Government funding.
• The $782,000 Yarran Dheran Reserve Information Centre upgrade was completed in January.
• The $692,000 refurbishment of the 1st Nunawading Scout Hall was completed in February.

Drainage

$1.6m was spent renewing and upgrading the Whitehorse drainage network during 2022/23.

While most of the network is underground and unseen, Council maintains 836 kilometres of storm water drainage assets. Renewal and upgrade of these assets ensures the drainage network can continue to efficiently transport water, accommodate changes in demand and climate, and prevent flooding in the municipality.

Footpaths

Council maintains 1175 kilometres of footpaths, and $5.0m was spent renewing them across Whitehorse in 2022/23.

Asset condition inspections are conducted to help identify and prioritise the paths that are in need of replacement. Council’s footpath renewal works were boosted in 2022/23 with $843,000 of Federal Government funding.

Sports fields and courts

Construction of a new multipurpose sports court at Eley Park in Blackburn South was completed in early December 2022.

It can be used for basketball and netball, and also features a rebound wall for tennis. The $602,000 project was completed over three financial years and was partially funded by a State Government grant.

Other projects completed in 2022/23 included:

• A $1.6m upgrade of the Morton Park east oval in Blackburn. Works included the installation of drainage, irrigation, natural turf, AFL goals and a synthetic cricket pitch.
• Sports field lighting upgrades were also completed at Bennettswood Reserve in Burwood, Surrey Park Baseball Field in Box Hill, Elgar Park South in Mont Albert North and Koonung Reserve in Blackburn North.

Active transport

Works to create two new Easy Ride bike routes were completed in June, the NS4 (Blackburn and Blackburn South) and NS6 (Blackburn, Blackburn North, Burwood East and Forest Hill).

The EasyRide network is made up of local streets and off road paths to make cycling to work or the shops safe and comfortable. Council spent $86,000 on the two routes and has created seven routes since starting the program in May 2021.

Other projects completed in 2022/23 included:

• The Bushy Creek Trail upgrade was completed in December. It involved extending the shared user path up to the crossing of Woodhouse Grove, near Mitta Street in Box Hill North. This was completed over two financial years and funded by the Federal Government.
• Council invested $337,000 in installing pedestrian crossings in Prospect Street, Box Hill and Thames Street and Avon Street, Box Hill North.

Carparks

A $655,000 upgrade of the car park and construction of an Ephemeral Wetland was completed at Forest Hill Reserve.

The works included a new asphalt surface car park, along with new concrete kerb and channel, edge strip and paving. New underground drainage and landscaping improvements were also made, along with the  construction of the wetland and concrete tiering for spectators.

Parks and Streetscapes

A new open space park was built at 14-16 Scott Grove in Burwood, which was funded by $300,000 State Government grant. Council purchased the land and funded demolition of the old homes in prior years.

The reserve includes more than 50 small and canopy trees, local Indigenous plants, a picnic table and seating, fitness equipment, a playground and a nature play area.

Other projects completed in 2022/23 included:

• The upgraded Blackburn Lake Sanctuary boardwalk and viewing platform was completed in December 2022 for a cost of $393,000.
• Streetscape improvements were completed on Railway Road (between Queen Street and Albert Street) as part of the Blackburn Station Village upgrade. The project cost $198,000 and included a new nature strip, refurbished footpath and bench seats.

Major Projects

Sportlink redevelopment

The $8.6m redevelopment of the Sportlink multipurpose facility in Vermont South was completed in March.

This was partially funded by a $1.5m contribution from the Federal Government. The redevelopment has converted the outdoor courts into a multi-use facility, with a new roof installed over them allowing play in all weather conditions. The upgrades allow for netball on all four courts and basketball on two of the courts, and other uses such as roller sports.

The Round

Expected completion: September 2023

Council’s $78m redevelopment of the former Whitehorse Centre is on track for project completion soon, with a grand opening of the new performing arts facility planned for mid-October.

The Round will feature a 600+ seat auditorium, 200 seat studio theatre, creative rehearsal studios and an improved soundshell for outdoor events.

Morack Public Golf redevelopment

Expected completion: Late 2023/Early 2024

The $12.1m Morack Public Golf redevelopment will soon boast new and rebuilt facilities to complement the existing 18-hole golf course.

These will include a 28-bay driving range with cutting-edge Toptracer ball tracking technology, a rebuilt multipurpose pavilion and a brand new 18-hole mini golf course.