Upgrades and New Disability Parking for Lords Reserve

Published on 01 July 2024

A suite of Council upgrades at Lords Reserve will resolve drainage issues around the oval and provide better disability access.

The reserve has experienced longstanding issues with water pooling during wet weather instead of flowing into the stormwater network, making the ground unplayable at times.

Council’s recent works have included underground piping to drain the playing area, renewed swale drains around the oval and concrete kerb and channel upgrades to Apollo Street to prevent runoff into the reserve.

Two new disability parking spaces have also been created on Apollo Street with a new concrete footpath link to the reserve’s toilet block.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the upgrades demonstrated Council’s commitment to better infrastructure.

“Lords Reserve clearly needed improved infrastructure to make it playable in the wet,” he said.

“We’ve listened to the reserve’s user groups to understand the issues at the ground and how to fix them.

“We want our community to be able to get as much use as possible out of assets like Lords, and to have safe access.

“To finish off these upgrades we’re also putting new turf down on affected parts of the oval allowing time for the turf to establish over winter.  This will ensure the surface is ready for the cricket season to get off to a good start,” Cr Rabie said.

The $300,000 upgrades are being funded through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Country Football and Netball Program and with $78,000 from Council’s budget.