Yarra Bend Park - Fairlea Reserve - Netball Courts and Pavilion
Project status
- Eight new netball courts and a shared-use pavilion at Fairlea Oval in Yarra Bend Park were finished in 2022.
- Soil leftover from construction has been redistributed to create elevated viewing mounds at Fairlea Reserve, and the remaining landscaping works are finished. Some areas will be temporarily closed to public access while vegetation establishes.
- A lease agreement is in place with Yarra City Council, who will oversee the management and operations of the courts and pavilion.
- Read a detailed update here.
Last updated: December 2023
The project
A previously under-used section of Yarra Bend Park in Fairlea Reserve has been activated with new facilities, including:
- eight outdoor acrylic netball courts with competition-standard 200 lux LED lighting, including one multi-sport court for netball/basketball
- a new shared-use modular pavilion located between the courts and Fairlea West oval to service netball, cricket and soccer players and fly fishers.
- landscaping, bike racks and pedestrian pathways
- increased car parking.
Pictured above: A birds eye view of the new netball courts at Fairlea Reserve in Yarra Bend Park, lit up at night.
Community benefits
These new facilities at Yarra Bend introduce more opportunities for women and girls, and junior level sport at the precinct, in addition to the existing soccer, cricket and fly-fishing options within the Fairlea Park Precinct.
The courts and pavilion will provide local netballers with a great base for training, social netball, and competitions. It will also allow for state tournaments.
The courts will be available for school and public use outside training and competition hours, with one of the courts also line-marked for basketball.
Protecting cultural heritage
Parks Victoria worked with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Corporation to develop and implement a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for this project.
The Yarra Bend Fairlea Precinct was once the site of the Yarra Bend Asylum and Fairlea Women’s Prison. Given the historic value of the site, Parks Victoria sought a Heritage Victoria permit to undertake these works.
Naming the pavilion
The pavilion has been named the Fiona Richardson Pavilion in honour of the former Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and local State Member for Northcote. Fiona served from 2006 until her passing in 2017. She championed more sports facilities for women and girls, including this project.
Project funding and partner
This project was delivered by Parks Victoria in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria, thanks to an $8 million investment from the Victorian Government’s Opportunities in Victorian Parks initiative.
Pictured above: The new Fiona Richardson Pavilion at Fairlea Reserve in Yarra Bend Park.
Related information
December 2023 - Landscaping works complete at Yarra Bend netball courts
August 2023 - Yarra Bend Park netball courts and pavilion: Project update
September 2022 - Netball facilities officially opened at Yarra Bend Park
Media release September 2022 - Net Set Go For Yarra Bend Netball Centre
Places to see - Yarra Bend Park
Inner City Netball Program