North Port Oval Upgrade
Playing surface at North Port Oval, Port Melbourne
City of Port Phillip is preparing to upgrade North Port Oval. This reserve is a vital part of the Port Melbourne open space network and holds historical significance for the sporting community.
The playing surface improvements will ensure the ground can sustain the level of use now and into the future, is safe for players of both cricket and Australian Rules football, and is resilient to climatic change.
North Port Oval is a key site for local sport and community participation. The Port Melbourne Cricket Club and Port Melbourne Football Club have co-existed on these grounds since the 1800’s.
It is important that the ground meets the standards of the relevant sporting bodies to ensure competition games can continue to be played there. Unfortunately in recent years the poor condition of the oval has presented challenges to both clubs as a result of the poor soil and drainage, and the oval has been deemed unusable for some scheduled VFL games.
The playing surface upgrade works are necessary to ensure the ongoing safe use of North Port Oval as a competitive playing ground as well as a public park. The soil and drainage improvements will make the surface safer, and more accessible for passive recreation and other casual usage opportunities.
Construction works include:
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Removal of the oval picket fence, and reinstatement of a new white picket fence;
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Removal of the players benches and reinstatement of new benches;
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Removal of soil and subsurface infrastructure, and the installation of new turf, soil, irrigation and drainage systems;
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Lengthening of the playing field by approximately three metres;
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Installation of six turf cricket wickets.
The works will require the entire oval to be fenced off to the public and clubs until project completion. The ovals at J.L. Murphy Reserve (850 metres along Williamstown Road) will remain available for community use throughout the Summer period.
The construction fencing will remain in place around the work site until the new turf is established, to give the grass the best possible chance of thriving.
We’ve scheduled these works to occur over Spring and Summer, to optimise turf growing conditions and allow the surface to re-establish prior to the 2019 VFL season. The tenant cricket club has been accommodated at alternative venues for the upcoming season games and will return to North Port Oval next season.
The cricket nets, pavilions, and public amenities will remain accessible throughout the works for the clubs and the community. Some alternative access locations and paths to the facilities are required during the works and will be signed accordingly.
Traffic management controls will be in place for extended periods while works and delivery of materials occurs. Construction vehicles will access the site via the Ingles Street entrance. Changes to traffic conditions, particularly around this entrance, will occur throughout construction. The onsite car park will be used by the contractors undertaking the works.
All efforts will be made to minimise disruptions to traffic and residents. Works will commence from the start of October, and will occur on weekdays and Saturdays to ensure fastest possible completion of the project.
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Site establishment 1 October 2018
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Ground reconstruction works commence Early October 2018
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Construction Works completed January 2019
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Turf establishment period January to April 2019
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Open to the public and sporting activities April 2019
