Supporting sports at Yarra Bend Park
Monday 3 April, 2023
Works at Corben Oval Pavilion are breathing new life into this popular and much-loved sports facility on Wurundjeri Country at Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield.
The Victorian Government is investing $1.6 million to upgrade the Corben Oval Pavilion and facilities and resolve complex power issues at Yarra Bend Park so this precinct can continue to serve the community – both now and into the future.
This project is being delivered in two stages by Parks Victoria, with stage one works taking place last month. These include upgrades to the Corben Oval Pavilion roof and stormwater drainage. A drinking fountain was also installed on the side of the pavilion for sports players and other park users.
The second stage of the project will rectify a significant power supply line fault that has disrupted power in the reserve since 2019. These works will commence in 2024 and involve restoring high-voltage power to the pavilion, toilet block, lighting and barbeques at the Loop Picnic Area. Parks Victoria is working with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Heritage Victoria to ensure these works are sensitively scoped and the cultural heritage of the site is preserved.
Elsewhere, the Victorian Government is upgrading and creating parks and reserves right across Melbourne to support healthy and active communities, including through the $21 million Urban Parks Active Wellbeing program and the $315 million Suburban Parks Program.
To stay up to date with the Corben Oval Pavilion upgrade and other projects underway in Melbourne parks visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects
Quotes attributable to Philip Ross, District Manager North West Melbourne:
“Yarra Bend Park plays host to up to 17 sporting clubs and schools across the year. With these Corben Oval upgrades, we are ensuring local teams can enjoy getting active in the park, season after season.”
"Investing in initiatives like the Corben Oval upgrades not only benefits our community's health and wellbeing, but also ensures the sustainability of our parks and open spaces for generations to come."
"The Corben Oval pavilion upgrades reflect our commitment to creating safe, accessible spaces that foster a sense of belonging and community spirit that's so important for our wellbeing."