Olinda Precinct Project Stage One
Project status
Last updated: February 2024
The project
This project is being delivered on Wurundjeri Country.
The former Olinda Golf Course is located in the Dandenong Ranges, between the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and R. J. Hamer Arboretum, 50 kilometres east of Melbourne.
The Olinda Precinct Plan was developed in consultation with the community, with the aim of transforming the site into a 34-hectare open-space site for recreation.
We’re now delivering the Olinda Precinct Plan to provide more opportunities for the community to connect with nature and make the most of this fantastic location.
Stage one of the Olinda Precinct Project is providing more opportunities for visitors to get active in nature, and is being delivered in sections:
Nature-based playscape (completed July 2019)
Designed for children and families of all ages and abilities, a new nature-based playscape was completed in July 2019, along with new barbecues, picnic facilities, shelters, seating and a new toilet block. A dedicated dog-off lead area and a series of walking trails were also constructed.
A flat open grass area with walking paths, suitable for a market, events space and other recreation was completed in June 2020.
Environmental and cultural heritage assessments will inform exactly where, when and how components of the project are delivered.
Olinda Precinct Project Stage 1: New netball court
This project involves building a new netball court and supporting infrastructure including lights and a shelter. These images show the construction progress.
Olinda Precinct Project Stage 1: Cricket practice nets
The project involves building four new cricket practice nets, a storage shed and a shelter beside the oval at Olinda Recreation Reserve. These images show the construction progress.
Project benefits
Visitors
Visitors to the Olinda Precinct and Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden will have more opportunities to participate in community sport, connect with nature, and enjoy time in the park with friends and family of all ages and abilities.
Environment
The projects being undertaken at the Olinda Precinct will ensure native vegetation is maintained. Sports users will benefit from shade from the surrounding trees and the aesthetic of the natural environment around them during practice and games.
Community
Three phases of community consultation were undertaken during the development of the Olinda Precinct Plan and we’re now delivering on what we heard from the community through this process.
The new facilities at the Olinda Precinct aim to provide more opportunities for people to get active in nature through community sport and a place for families and friends to meet, play, picnic and connect to the natural surroundings in beautiful Olinda.
Project funding
The Victorian Government has invested $7.67 million to deliver the stage one works at the Olinda Precinct.
Environment and cultural heritage management
Parks Victoria have an approved Cultural Heritage Contingency Plan issued via our Managing Country Together Team, to ensure that any Aboriginal cultural heritage is managed carefully and appropriately if discovered during works.
Who are we working with?
Sport and Recreation Victoria
Yarra Ranges Council
Staying updated
For updates on this project and other news from the area, subscribe here.
Related information
- October 2023 - Community update newsletter
- Project update April 2023 - Construction starts at Olinda Recreation Reserve
- Project update February 2023 - Better sporting facilities coming soon to Olinda Precinct
- Media release 15 July 2022 - New sports facilities on the way for Olinda
- Olinda Precinct Community Update May 2022
- Media release 19 July 2019 - Olinda welcomes new nature-based playspace
- Olinda Golf Course Precinct Plan (April 2017)
- Olinda Precinct Project
- Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda project
- Olinda Precinct Stage 2 project page
- Olinda Precinct upgrades Engage Victoria page
- RJ Hamer Arboretum park page
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden park page
FAQs
What works are being completed as part of the Olinda Precinct Stage 1 project?
We are building a new netball court, four new cricket practice nets and supporting infrastructure including lights, a shelter and storage shed.
In 2019, an all-abilities nature-based playscape was completed, along with new barbecues, picnic facilities, shelters, seating and a new toilet block. A dedicated dog-off lead area and a series of walking trails were also constructed.
In 2020, a sporting oval and Olinda Green were completed, featuring a flat open grass area with walking paths, suitable for a market, events space and other recreation.
Why are you upgrading the netball and cricket facilities at the Olinda Recreation Reserve?
We're building a new netball court and cricket nets at the Olinda Recreation Reserve, to upgrade the existing facilities and provide more opportunities for the community to connect, get active and participate in sport.
How many cricket nets will be available once construction is complete?
There will be four public practice wickets.
What other works are happening as part of the implementation of the Olinda Precinct Plan?
There are a number of exciting works completed and planned to uplift the Olinda Precinct, including:
- Olinda Precinct Stage 2: Stage two will include further improvements to the site and visitor experience, including better carparking, drainage, access pathways and replacing the former golf clubhouse with a new food and beverage offering and new toilets. Find out more about these works.
- Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
Phillip Johnson’s re-creation of the Chelsea Flower Show award-winning ‘Australian Garden’ exhibit is complete and now open at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. The new garden is 20 times the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show build, converting a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation for native plants and wildlife. Find out more.
How can I stay up-to-date with project progress?
You can subscribe for updates on the Olinda Precinct project.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you have questions or want to learn more about a project, you can call the Parks Victoria team on 13 19 63 or email us at engage@parks.vic.gov.au.