Brunswick Street Oval Redevelopment
Big things are happening at Brunswick Street Oval – and this project is shaping up to be a game‑changer for local sport and community life.
A sports pavilion designed for growing community
A revitalised sports pavilion is on the way, designed to meet the needs of a fast‑growing community and create a welcoming home for local sport. Improvements include:
- Two new high‑quality, purpose‑built change rooms giving players and teams a modern, comfortable space to prepare and recover.
- Upgrades to the umpires’ area and both grandstand change rooms, increasing capacity and supporting rising participation.
- Externally accessible public toilets, providing convenient, contemporary amenities for everyday visitors and event crowds.
- A future‑ready pavilion that strengthens community connection and elevates the entire sporting precinct.
Together, these upgrades will deliver a vibrant, community‑focused hub that supports local sport today and sets the stage for even bigger things ahead.
Sports Pavilion concept designs
Expanding our tennis precinct for a bigger, better community experience
We're transforming this area into a vibrant, future‑ready tennis precinct that delivers more space, better amenities, and a stronger home for local players, families, and visitors. This exciting upgrade includes:
- Two brand‑new, fully compliant synthetic courts, giving players more opportunities to train, compete, and enjoy the game.
- A full renovation of the six existing courts, bringing them up to modern standards and ensuring a consistent, high‑quality playing experience across the entire venue.
- Removal of the outdated amenities near the former community room, paving the way for modern, accessible facilities that better meet today’s expectations.
- Relocation of the existing clubhouse, creating a more functional layout and improving flow throughout the precinct.
- A new adjoining social space and upgraded amenities, offering a welcoming hub for gatherings, events, and community connection.
Together, these improvements will create a more dynamic, inclusive, and enjoyable environment for everyone – from seasoned players to families discovering the sport for the first time.
Tennis court concept designs
Upgrades to the Heritage Grandstand
Upgrades across the precinct are helping create a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone who uses our local sports facilities:
- Refreshed umpire areas and changerooms deliver a more professional, inviting space for officials and players.
- New external stairs improve movement around the precinct and enhance overall accessibility.
- Secure access gates strengthen safety for all community members, from everyday users to event crowds.
Every upgrade is designed to boost comfort, improve security, and support a positive experience for all.
Heritage Grandstand concept designs
Trees, landscaping and surrounds
The updated design strengthens environmental outcomes across the precinct, delivering long‑term benefits for the whole community, including:
- Responsible management of impacted trees by our Open Space team to:
- assess each tree’s heath, significance and long term viability
- minimise tree removal
- replace and replant trees.
- Replanting program featuring 35 new semi‑mature shade trees.
- Diverse mix of Kurrajong, Red Oak and Jacaranda species to boost biodiversity.
- New plantings designed to grow quickly, improving shade, cooling, air quality and overall amenity.
- A greener, more inviting public space that supports comfort and sustainability for all users.
This balanced approach protects today’s canopy while investing in a thriving, resilient landscape for generations to come.
What’s happening now?
We’re commencing tree removal the week commencing 27 April, as soon as the fencing is installed. Once the fencing is installed, tree removal will take approximately two weeks.
What’s coming up?
Once the trees have been removed, construction will commence on the new tennis courts.
| Project milestone | Month |
|---|---|
| Tree removal | February – March 2026 |
| Tree planting | 2026 – 2027 |
| Sports pavilion design and construction | 2026 – 2027 |
| Tennis court works (6 courts) | 2026 – 2027 |
| Grandstand works | 2026 – 2027 |
| Tennis court works (2 new courts) | 2026 – 2027 |
| Tennis facilities clubhouse installation | 2026 – 2027 |
| Landscaping | 2026 – 2027 |
Frequently asked questions
The Minister for Planning.
Heritage approval for the design will be required from the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria.
39 trees are being removed to accommodate the endorsed design. See our Tree Removal Plan, page 705 of Agenda: Ordinary Council Meeting - 17 December 2024 [ PDF, 264.26 MB] .
35 trees are being planted. These trees include a mix of semi mature Jacarandas, Red Oaks and Kurrajongs.
Three English elms located to the north and west of the tennis club. These elms are diseased and have come to the end of their life.
The State Government has provided almost $413 milion in funding to the cricket, football and tennis clubs that call Edinburgh Gardens home.
This funding was provided for the purpose of expanding the capacity of the facilities to support our growing community.
Relocation of the tennis courts elsewhere in Yarra is not feasible.
The area to the east of the existing courts is prone to flooding and contains the key stormwater network that runs through Edinburgh Gardens. This location would also impact the key north-south footpath network through Edinburgh Gardens.
We’ve also previously explored other design options for the tennis club pavilion and location of the courts closer to the Grandstand, which did not receive Heritage Victoria approval.
The approved design, which includes a reduced footprint of the tennis pavilion and relocation of the existing clubhouse, responds to Heritage Victoria requirements for sensitive interface with nearby heritage structures.
Feedback from the community showed that people enjoyed having a spot to sit in the sun and look out over the oval. In response to this feedback, we will not be planting any trees on 'Hipster Hill'.
Possums have been identified as potentially living throughout the Brunswick Street Oval precinct. During the planned tree removal, a project arborist and a project ecologist has been engaged to supervise the tree removal to ensure no fauna will be impacted. If any animals are found, they will be safely removed and rehomed to another location at the precinct.
There is no requirement under the DDA that all eight courts be accessible.
The DDA and the Disability Standards focus on ensuring equitable access to public facilities for people with disabilities. These regulations focus on aspects such as accessible entrances, amenities, signage, and pathways, rather than specifying a minimum number of sports courts or facilities.
The BSOP project is being designed to create an environment that is usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialised design. It will ensure that facilities are welcoming and inclusive for everyone, regardless of ability.
The purpose of the November 2024 engagement was to provide a project update, understand community support and seek suggestions on the new designs. The feedback addressed 39 areas to consider which were incorporated into the final design where possible and in the project scope.
The responses received were carefully analysed and considered and were arranged under the 39 key themes. Suggestions provided by the community were responded to in detail in a transparent and comprehensive engagement report (see page 688 of Agenda: Ordinary Council Meeting - 17 December 2024 [ PDF, 264.26 MB] .
In response to community feedback, there was an amendment included in Council's resolution to publish a new landscape plan designed to improve the interface between the sports pavilion and St Georges Road. Another change made in response to feedback received was not to proceed with planting trees on 'Hipster Hill'.
Council meeting minutes
Learn about the consultation process
Consultation began in 2019 when we asked you what you value about the facilities and what could be improved. An initial design (2022) and revised design (2024) were developed, before endorsement in December 2024.