Corben Oval electrical and pavilion upgrades
Project status
March 2023: The works to the pavilion are now underway.
The project
Corben Oval is a sporting oval located in Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield on Wurundjeri Country. The oval is used by local school sports teams and local soccer, football and cricket clubs for practice and competition sport. The pavilion next to the oval provides changerooms for the sporting groups and a public toilet for visitors to the reserve.
Due to a significant fault in the electrical power supply line, the power has been disconnected at Corben Oval in Yarra Bend Park since 2019. As a result, the pavilion, toilet block, lighting and BBQs in the Loop Picnic Area can’t currently be used. A project is now underway to upgrade the Corben Pavilion and install a new power connection down Yarra Bend Road and up to the Corben Pavilion, which will bring life back to the facilities for visitors and sports users. We have consulted with local sporting groups to get their input on what changes they’d like to see to the pavilion.
The project involves:
- installing a high-voltage power to Corben Oval which will service the pavilion, toilet block and Loop Picnic Area BBQs and facilities.
- renovating components of the pavilion so it can be reopened to the public and local sporting groups.
These upgrades will allow more people to enjoy exercise, sports and spending time outdoors with family and friends at Yarra Bend Park.
Project benefits
Visitors
Park Visitors will be able to again enjoy the BBQ facilities and toilets while visiting the Loop Picnic Area.
Community
Local cricket clubs, football clubs and schools will enjoy use of an improved sporting pavilion and facilities during practice, matches and tournaments.
Economy
The addition of power to the site and the upgrades to the pavilion will allow for activity and events at the park beyond the existing sporting uses.
Project funding
The Victorian Government has invested $1.6 million for this project.
Project timeline
Environmental and cultural heritage assessments will inform exactly where, when and how components of this project are delivered. All works on this project are subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions. This timeline will be updated as the project progresses.
Environment and cultural heritage management
Wherever possible we will use existing infrastructure to limit environmental impacts on this project.
We will work with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation to develop and complete a Cultural Heritage Assessment of the site and will protect the cultural heritage values of the site from start to finish. As the site has a heritage overlay, we’ll also work with Heritage Victoria to ensure the heritage values of the site are protected.
Project safety:
We will undertake risk and safety assessments to ensure the project will be completed safely, and any areas where construction is taking place will be clearly signed and fenced off to restrict public access to the worksite.
Who are we working with?
We're working with the local sporting clubs that use the pavilion to ensure the pavilion upgrades will meet their needs.
Access changes
There are currently no access changes expected to Corben Oval, however there may be some areas with restricted access once construction commences.
Related information
Yarra Bend’s Corben Oval set for million-dollar upgrade
FAQs
What upgrades are taking place for the pavilion?
The pavilion renovations will involve updating the current pavilion to have modern facilities. This part of the project is currently in the design phase – more information on the details of the pavilion upgrade will be shared once the designs are finalised.
Is solar power an option?
The power will need to supply an underground pump station that collects wastewater from the public toilet block. We explored the option of solar but found it was not possible based on availability of a system capable of generating and storing sufficient power for operation of the existing sewer pumps feeding onto the pressurised sewer main.
When will the pavilion be upgraded?
The pavilion upgrades will commence after the power connection works are completed.
Will the exterior of the pavilion be changed?
The exterior of the building has a heritage overlay and is over 50 years old. The upgrades will focus only on the interior of the pavilion so that we can preserve the building’s original façade.
