FAQ

Council has sought feedback from a wide range of key stakeholders including:

• Local highball clubs and associations
• Tenants in existing highball facilities
• Local schools
• Relevant state sporting associations
• Residents and property owners surrounding each site
• The general community

The Highball Infrastructure Plan will guide Council in addressing the shortfall for highball courts in Manningham and ensure that Council funds are spent on the most appropriate developments, which enable the greatest community outcome.

The Highball Infrastructure Plan has assessed a range of factors and identified the need for a multi-pronged approach, including:

• Future highball developments,
• Asset management of existing facilities, and
• Managing programming opportunities.

Seven planning principles have been developed to guide the implementation of the Plan. Implementation of the Plan will enable more people to participate in physical activity and provide spaces for community events and activities.

In the short term (3-5 years) five additional courts are proposed.

In the medium term (5-7 years) it is proposed to extend multiuse space at DISC.

Three long term options have also been identified:

• Mullum Mullum – two courts
• Manningham Templestowe Leisure Centre (MTLC) – two courts
• Sheahans Road - one or two courts

A number of other new highball facilities are proposed within Manningham including:

• East Doncaster Secondary College – a two court stadium in 2013.
• Doncaster Secondary College – extension of one additional court to create a three court stadium in 2014.
• Donvale Christian College - a two court stadium in 2017.
• Wonga Park Primary School – a potential enclosure of one of the existing two outdoor courts.
• Coptic Church, Park Orchards – the potential development of a three court stadium.

• Facilities that are designed and operated to be “multi-use” generally operate at higher levels of usage capacity and financial performance.
• Large regional facilities with four or more courts that are centrally located in large catchment areas, with a low level of competition, in prominent positions have an increased chance of being financially viable.
• Potential to attract additional external construction funding (due to large venue and show court provision).
• Can accommodate mixed use for all highball clubs in Manningham.

This site has been identified through Councils Open Space Strategy 2004, for future sporting development. A facility at this location has the following advantages:

• Central location – contributes to servicing predominantly Manningham community
• Located on arterial road network, linear trail, horse trail and bus transportation.
• Green field flat site enabling cost effective construction
• Complements the existing sporting precinct
• Indicative support given by major highball clubs / associations
• Utilises existing car parking infrastructure with space to expand car parking

Subject to Council’s endorsement of the Highball Infrastructure Plan, the next steps will include:

• Development of the Priority of Use Policy to clarify the scope of sports to be catered for and which clubs will have access to the facility. This will inform the design stage.
• Development of concept plans
• Consultation with key stakeholders on the concept plan
• Application for a planning permit which will include extensive consultation with residents, clubs, schools etc
• Detailed design
• Construction

It was recently announced that Council was unsuccessful in its bid for Federal funding for the expansion of Sheahans Road Stadium. This resulted in a major funding shortfall which has meant that the expansion cannot proceed at this stage.

The proposal in the draft Highball Infrastructure Plan for a multi-use facility at Mullum Mullum provides the best option for a centrally located multi-use facility.

Council is committed to undertaking some upgrades at Sheahans Reserve. The scope of these works is yet to be finalised, however it will include paths and landscaping upgrades. Money has been set aside in 2014 to undertake that work. An updated Masterplan will be circulated for comment closer to the date of the work being undertaken, to ensure that the community can comment on the plan.

The existing facility including the gymnastics hall and the two existing courts would be retained. Further scoping will be undertaken to determine the size of the expansion on the site. Consultation with residents will be undertaken at that time.

The Highball Infrastructure Plan has identified three long term options (10+ years), one of which includes an extension of the stadium at the Templestowe Leisure Centre to enclose two of the existing outdoor courts. This would result in a facility comprising four indoor courts and four outdoor courts. The proposal to enclose the two indoor courts would also include additional car parking on the site.  The site could then become a regional netball venue, where netball could be played indoor and outdoor.

Prior to any development of the site, Council would develop a more detailed Development Plan / Masterplan for the site showing the location of the proposed buildings and works including any additional car parking required as part of the development. Council would work with all the relevant stakeholders in developing a plan for the site and would seek public comment on any plan.

Manningham City Council has adopted the International Association for Public Participation IAP2 Core values. These values are central to how we at Manningham should approach any community engagement and consultation processes.

It is important to Manningham City Council that decisions are made on the best information available.  Your views and experiences help us to build this knowledge. 

This draft plan has been developed by Council, and this has been opened to the public or other key stakeholders for comment. Your feedback will be taken by officers, along with other views and expertise critical to the Plan, which in this case includes sporting associations, schools, sporting clubs, patrons and the state government. 

The final plan is developed considering all the views shared, as well as key factors including funding, legal criteria, existing commitments and priorities. This information is then presented to Council to determine the final recommendation/s.

Sharing your views and experiences could give Council new ideas or information or a new perspective.  So, even if your comments are not word for word in the final Plan, having your say will ensure that we are informed about how you would like to improve your community life. This means that we can better advocate on your behalf, if we need to, or to better consider your needs, now and in the future for living in Manningham.