Bayside Community Sports Centre

Clubs, players, and staff using the new Sports Centre have access to the 98-space on-site car park, and restriction-free overflow parking is available in the non-residential parts of George Street and Wangara Road.

We encourage entry to the Centre car park via Holloway Road. Using alternate access points may result in extended delays. The car park traffic flow is one-way, exiting onto Wangara Road.

This has been carefully designed to help create a safer user environment, reduce traffic congestion and direct visitors through to additional restriction-free overflow parking.

Download the traffic flow and parking map

New parking restrictions in surrounding residential streets were introduced in mid-January 2024, and are now live.

The parking restrictions, as recommended by the endorsed Traffic Impact Assessment Report, are designed to provide for short-term parking during school drop-off and pick-up times and will help to preserve long term on-street parking availability for local residents. The strongest restrictions will apply during times when the Sports Centre will be in use. Our parking officers will be present when the new restrictions start to encourage adoption of the new rules. These restrictions will be monitored and reviewed throughout the first six months after the Centre officially opens to ensure that local parking needs are being met.

Eligible residents are able to apply for up to four free (street-specific) digital parking permits, subject to conditions. A permit for visitors can also be purchased. Residential parking permits exempt permitted vehicles from timed parking restrictions that are longer than one hour.

Eligible residents can apply for digital parking permits online at Parking Permits or call us on 03 9599 4444.

 Download the parking restrictions map

The court usage hours are included in a License Agreement between Council and the BDNA. The outdoor court lighting system includes a timing device that will automatically turn off court lighting no later than 30 minutes after the prescribed times.

Outdoor courts

• Monday - Friday 4pm - 8pm
• School holidays (Monday - Friday) 9am - 8pm
• Saturday 9am - 6pm
• Sunday 9am - 4pm
• Additional use day (Sunday) 5 days per calendar year 8am - 6pm

Indoor courts

• Monday - Friday 4pm - 9:30pm
• School holidays (Monday - Friday) 9am - 9:30pm
• Saturday - Sunday 9am - 8pm

During school hours, Sandringham College has exclusive use of the centre and sportsground.

Outside of this, the Bayside District Netball Association is operating the new centre – hosting competitions between Bayside’s 12 local netball clubs, occasional regional tournaments, with Council allocating use for junior cricket clubs on the new sportsground.

While the community can access the centre for organised sporting activities, the site is not be available for hire or informal community access. We understand this may be disappointing for some however, this is private land owned by the Education Department.

December 2023

In the lead-up to Christmas, Bayside District Netball Association (BDNA) will host representative team training sessions on Monday and Friday evenings at the new indoor courts. The on-site car park will help to accommodate staff and players during these sessions.

January 2024

The BDNA is hosting representative team training camps on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 January, 2024. 110 players will be in attendance each day, on all courts.

Weeknight Club training commences Monday, 29 January. 

Wednesday night competition commences Wednesday, 31 January.

February 2024

For the first three Sundays of February, Sunday 4, 11 and 18, four practice matches are scheduled per hour between approximately 9am - 1pm.

March 2024

Weekly season games commence Thursday 14 and Saturday 16 March.

February

Over the past month, hundreds of local netballers have taken to the courts – embracing netball’s new home in Bayside.

The centre is currently hosting a range of activities including, but not limited to:

• Club training – weeknights
• All Abilities Program – Monday nights
• Female open competition – Wednesday nights
• Representative teams training and practice matches – times vary
• Sandringham College student use – during school hours

Some of the first netballers to play on the courts included Bayside District Netball Association’s (BDNA) All Abilities teams. The junior players are supported on court with buddies (coaches), who have really enjoyed the extra space giving them more room to play.

Key dates

• Thursday, 14 March – Winter competition starts for under nines
• Saturday, 16 March – Winter competition starts for all other age groups

Further information on BDNA activities and Sandringham College events at the centre are available on their websites:

• Bayside District Netball Association (BDNA)
• Sandringham College

Noise testing now underway

Noise testing is now underway using an independent acoustic consultant. The testing will identify and record decibel levels at various locations and will differentiate noise emanating from the centre, versus noises originating from the surrounding area (e.g. general neighbourhood activity).

On-court cheering and vocal noise from play will not contribute to the noise assessment before 10pm. This is consistent with EPA regulations.

Let’s be team players

The new Centre is close to where people live, work, play and study, so we ask all visitors to be mindful of the impact they have on others.

A guide to visiting the centre

Do

• Stick to the speed limit
• Enter the car park via Holloway Road and exit onto Wangara Road
• Park in the on-site car park or overflow areas
• Plan your trip and allow extra time
• Check parking signage before parking
• Respect residents by keeping the noise down

Don’t

• Turn around in the car park to exit onto Holloway Road – the car park is one-way only
• Park in Holloway Road or the surrounding residential streets – parking restrictions apply
• Litter – use bins for rubbish or take it home with you
• Use local residential or school driveways to drop-off netballers
• U-turn in Holloway Road – this may cause further traffic congestion

January 2024

Sportsground

The sportsground surface is now well established, line markings complete and ready to be enjoyed by students and community cricketers.

Landscaping

The vegetation planted at the Centre in 2023 is doing well and benefitting from the recent unseasonal rainfall. Further planting on Holloway Road will be undertaken in Autumn 2024 (when conditions are optimal for new plant growth) to further assist with managing visual and noise impacts once mature.

New parking restrictions are live

Road safety works around the new Centre including new speed limits, speed cushions and zebra crossings - are complete, and new parking restrictions are now in effect.

See the detailed restriction maps on this project page to plan ahead.

The centre is complete and operational

Over 110 local netballers gave the facility a test over the weekend of 20 and 21 January as it hosted its first representative netball team camp.

This eleven-court facility and sportsground is now formally being operated by the Bayside District Netball Association (BDNA). It will support our thriving local netball and junior cricket competitions and also be enjoyed by Sandringham College students during school hours.

The next few weeks will be a busy time as the 2024 school year starts and the netball and cricket seasons commence. Key dates include:

• Monday 29 January - weeknight Club training commences
• Wednesday 31 January - indoor night competition commences
• Sunday 4, 11 and 18 February - practice matches and umpire intake trials
• Thursday 14 March and Saturday 16 March - Winter Season commences
• Oval – no training currently scheduled

December 2023

Netball courts and facilities

In the lead-up to Christmas, Bayside District Netball Association will host representative team training sessions on Monday and Friday evenings at the new indoor courts. The on-site car park will help to accommodate staff and players during these sessions.

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) has completed the surfacing and line markings on the nine outdoor netball courts. The courts will take up to a further month to dry, ready for play at the start of the 2024 netball season in February.

Sportsground

Council recently took over management of the sportsground and has begun preparing it for play. It will be available for community club use from January.

Landscaping

The landscaping at the Centre is complete for this year, however further planting will be undertaken in Autumn 2024 (when weather conditions will better support new plant growth). We anticipate this will further reduce the visual and noise impacts for nearby residents as the vegetation matures.

November 2023

The two indoor courts, on-site car park and associated facilities are now complete. Sandringham College staff and parents/carers can now use the new on-site car park, reducing pressure on local streets.

The surfacing and line markings on the nine outdoor netball courts have commenced. The courts will take up to one month to dry and will be ready for play at the start of the 2024 netball season in February. The sportsground surface is thriving in the current weather conditions. In the coming weeks Council will take management of the ground and begin preparing for play.

October 2023

In mid-October, the surfacing and line markings on the nine outdoor netball courts commenced. The courts will take up to one month to dry and will be ready for play at the start of the 2024 netball season in February.

The sportsground surface is thriving in the current weather conditions, and we look forward to seeing the first match played after the Christmas break in January. In the coming weeks Council will take management of the ground and begin preparing for play.

September 2023

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is nearing the final stages of works at Sandringham College. We’re excited to see the completion of this project so Sandringham College students, and Bayside residents can reap the benefits of this wonderful, purpose-built, multi-sport facility.

Subscribe on this page for email updates to learn more about what to expect in the lead-up to the Centre’s full opening.

June 2022

Construction of the Bayside Community Sports Centre at the Sandringham College, Holloway Road campus receives approval to proceed following the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)’s dismissal of an application regarding the use of the centre.

Read more about the decision.

October 2021

Read about the items resolved at the 25 February 2021 Council meeting.

March 2021

At the Special Meeting of Council on Thursday 25 February 2021, Councillors resolved to move ahead with the proposal to enter into a Development Agreement with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) to jointly fund new sports facilities at Sandringham College, Holloway Road campus.

March 2024 edition

February 2024 edition

January 2024 edition

December 2023 edition

November 2023 edition

September 2023 edition

We’ve worked with government departments to improve sport and recreation infrastructure and meet the increasing demand for facilities in Melbourne’s southeast.

Netball is the most popular female team sport across Australia with participation more than doubled in Bayside since 2010. Nearly 2,500 players from 12 clubs were registered to play on Bayside District Netball Association’s (BDNA) former seven courts at Thomas Street Reserve - six outdoor and one indoor.

The significant growth meant players missed out due to lack of courts and adequate court lighting. To create opportunities, games were shorter than the national standard and team numbers were capped.

BDNA was the only netball association in Victoria who had to place restrictions on membership based on the location of employment, residence or education. Council was committed to providing appropriate facilities to encourage an active community and addressed the historical underinvestment in netball.

The development of the Bayside Community Sports Centre was an opportunity to provide a solution to the local netball court shortage, and cricket facilities while also bringing additional benefits to Sandringham College students.

Feedback gathered through community consultation resulted in a revised court layout, balancing the impact on local residents with the needs of community sport.

Under this revised layout, the courts now include an increased landscaping buffer between Sandringham College and adjacent properties, reduced hours of use for netball, and implementing a comprehensive traffic management plan.

Noise impacts are being managed by limiting the volume of the PA system, noise limiter installation and strategically placed speakers. The proposed hours of operation for the facility were also substantially reduced in line with community feedback.

Read Council's February 2021 resolution or learn more about the community engagement on this project.

October 2023

The indoor multi-purpose facility will open for limited use by Sandringham College and Bayside District Netball Association. 

The 98-space onsite carpark will open. The carpark is designed for one-way traffic (entry via Holloway Road) and to help direct traffic through to additional overflow parking in non-residential areas of Wangara Road and George Street. Outside of school and community sports use, the carpark will not be open for general public use.

November 2023

Commencing Monday, 20 November, we're installing a pedestrian crossing area with three raised flat-top zebra crossings at the intersection of George Street and Wangara Road. We're also installing asphalt speed cushions in front of 13 and 37 George Street and completing associated lighting and drainage works. We anticipate the project to be completed by the end of January 2024.

December 2023

Commencing early December, we're installing a kerb outstand on Holloway Road (east of the Cooke Street intersection) to deter traffic from entering, and to reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians. We anticipate works to be completed by the mid-January 2024.

January 2024

The reconstructed sportsground will open. Providing the 12-week turf maintenance program is successful, the sportsground will open for school use towards the end of Term 4 2023. The sportsground will be available for community club use from the 2024 cricket season. Please note, the site will remain closed to informal access – as the land is privately owned by the Education Department.

Commencing Monday, 15 January, for up to two weeks, we're installing new parking restriction signage. Affected residents will be contacted by letter from mid-November with information on how to apply for their digital parking permits.

Our parking enforcement officers will also have an active presence when the new restrictions come into effect to encourage the quick adoption of the new rules.

February 2024

The Bayside Community Sports Centre will be fully operational with the opening of the outdoor netball courts in time for the 2024 netball season.

Council’s $18 million investment in community sport is supported by a $4.7 million Federal Government grant.

The court usage hours are included in a License Agreement between Council and the BDNA. The outdoor court lighting system includes a timing device that will automatically turn off court lighting no later than 30 minutes after the prescribed times.

We’ve made changes to local residential roads to help create a safer environment for residents and Centre visitors.

New safety improvements include:

• Carefully designed 98-space on-site car park with one-way traffic flow, with entry from Holloway Road and exit onto Wangara Road towards additional overflow parking in non-residential streets
• Pedestrian crossing area with three raised flat-top zebra crossings at the intersection of George Street and Wangara Road
• Asphalt speed cushions:
  • In front of 13 and 37 George Street
• Reduced speed limits:
  • George Street 60km/h to 50km/h
  • Wangara Road, west of George Street from 50km/h to 40km/h (proposed)
  • Holloway Road, entire length 40km/h
• A kerb outstand on Holloway Road (east of the Cooke Street intersection) to reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians.

Read the Traffic Impact Assessment Report.

New parking restrictions in surrounding residential streets were introduced in mid-January 2024, and are now live.

The parking restrictions, as recommended by the endorsed Traffic Impact Assessment Report, are designed to provide for short-term parking during school drop-off and pick-up times and will help to preserve long term on-street parking availability for local residents. The strongest restrictions will apply during times when the Sports Centre will be in use. Our parking officers will be present when the new restrictions start to encourage adoption of the new rules. These restrictions will be monitored and reviewed throughout the first six months after the Centre officially opens to ensure that local parking needs are being met.

Eligible residents are able to apply for up to four free (street-specific) digital parking permits, subject to conditions. A permit for visitors can also be purchased. Residential parking permits exempt permitted vehicles from timed parking restrictions that are longer than one hour.

Eligible residents can apply for digital parking permits online at parking permits or call us on 03 9599 4444.

Download the full map

Eligible households are entitled to one of the following options:

• Option 1: Four free resident parking permits (registered to a vehicle’s number plate)
  • Additional resident parking permits can be purchased for a fee. These permits are valid for 3 years.
  • Visitor parking permits are not available

• Option 2: Three free residential parking permits (registered to a vehicle’s number plate) and one visitor permit for $88
  • Additional resident parking permits can be purchased for a fee. These permits are valid for 3 years.
  • One visitor parking permit per household will be issued. This permit is valid for 3 years from the month they are purchased.

How the permits will work

Street-specific residential permits exempt the permit holder from certain restrictions on their street. Residents in corner properties are required to choose their preferred street when applying for a permit.

Street-specific permits can be used to:

• Park in a designated ‘Permit’ zone; and
• Exempt vehicles with permits from 1-hour or 2-hour restrictions.

Permits, will not exempt permit holders from:

• ‘No Stopping’ restrictions;
• ‘Disabled’ restrictions (without a disabled permit); and
• ‘2-min’ or ‘15-min’ restrictions.

Visitor permits work the same way as residential permits. Each permit applies to one vehicle only, excluding an attached trailer/caravan/boat.

Applying for permits

Bayside City Council's new digital permits are easy to use, transferrable between vehicles and secure. With digital parking permits, your number plate is your permit so there's nothing to display.

You can apply for your permit online via our Parking Permit Portal: bayside.vic.gov.au/services/parking-and-roads/apply-parking-permits. Both owner-occupiers and renters are eligible, you will just need to provide different documentation with your application.

Watch the simple explainer video: https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/services/parking-and-roads/apply-parking-permits.

We've taken the following steps in the design of the Centre and licence and use agreements to reduce impacts on nearby residents:

• Council-controlled light-timers
• Strategic placement of speakers to point away from surrounding residential properties
• Volume control for the PA system and siren is locked and Council-monitored
• Operational times are mandated. This includes outside courts to conclude play by no later than 8pm on weekdays
• Umpires are required to use quiet whistles (aligned with Netball Victoria standards)
• Landscaping and planting adjacent to the east and northern boundaries will, in time, add additional overlooking and audio buffers.

Read the biodiversity assessment undertaken for the site.

We’re working closely with local schools and residents, the affiliated sports clubs, and other key stakeholders to support the Centre’s opening.

Like any change, we recognise this will be an ongoing process and have established a direct phone line and email address for you to provide feedback or raise any concerns.

Phone: 03 9599 4818

Email: recreationprojects@bayside.vic.gov.au

An increased presence of local law officers is scheduled for parking enforcement after school hours and on weekends when play is scheduled.

Council, in collaboration with the Victorian School Building Authority is investigating the installation of light shields on external security lights (only).

Some new parking restriction signs, designed to preserve long-term on-street parking availability for residents have been removed or damaged. Replacement is pending discussions with the residents who removed the signs.

Council is supporting the BDNA with the transition into the new centre. In response to community feedback, the BDNA have been reminded of the hours of use, as outlined in the Council resolution. This information has been shared with Clubs to assist with adherence to the use guidelines.

The BDNA and Club members have reported experiencing intimidation, including verbal harassment and child-safety issues. Anyone experiencing harassment and intimidation are encouraged to report the behaviour to Victoria Police.

• For urgent assistance call triple zero (000)
• For non-urgent police help call 131 444

Sandringham College will use the Centre, sportsground, and car park during school hours.

The Bayside District Netball Association (BDNA) will operate the Centre, sportsground and car park and have access outside of school from:

• Monday – Friday – 4pm until 9:30pm
• Saturday and Sunday – 9am until 8pm
• School Holidays (Mon – Fri) – 9am until 9:30pm

The centre will host competition between Bayside’s 12 local netball clubs and occasional regional tournaments. The domestic netball seasons typically run from March to September and October to December.

The sportsground will also be used by local cricket clubs, through the South East Cricket Association, for junior cricket competition. The junior cricket season typically runs from October to March.

It is expected that there will be minimal use of the Centre by the BDNA in late 2023, full operation of the new facility will commence in February 2024.

Many people in the community will use the new centre either through school or organised sporting activities (netball and junior cricket). However, the facilities (including the courts, sportsground and car park) will not be available for casual or informal community access.

We understand this may be disappointing for some. The facility is located on Education Department land, which is private property. This means it is not for general public use or as a public thoroughfare. This has always been the case, however we do understand that historically this hasn’t been actively monitored so it may feel like a change for some.

The site will be locked (and car park boom gates closed) when not in use by the school or sports clubs.

Council has invested $18 million in the project, supported by a $4.7 million Federal Government grant, and collaborated with the Victorian Government’s School Building Authority (VSBA) to bring this opportunity to life.

No. The only entrance to the centre is on Holloway Road.

Given the significant investment in the site, and the need to ensure the facilities are in their best condition for school students, our local netballers and junior cricketers, the site is now fully fenced and there is no public thoroughfare between Bay Road and Holloway Road.

CCTV cameras are also in place to help monitor the site.

The new on-site car park has 98 car spaces. If spaces are not available on-site, the one-way traffic flow from the car park will direct you to overflow parking available at the existing carpark at 20 Wangara Road and on-street parking on Wangara Road and the non-residential section of George Street between Bay and Wangara roads.

As recommended by the traffic impact assessment report, several strategies are being implemented to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles in and around the site, including:

• A joint user agreement to avoid simultaneous events at the school and Sports Centre
• One-way onsite carpark traffic management with traffic entering via Holloway Road and exiting via Wangara Road. This will slow traffic movements and deter vehicles turning right from Holloway Road onto Bluff Road.
• Speed limit reductions
  • George Street 60km/h to 50km/h
  • Wangara Road, west of George Street from 50km/h to 40km/h (proposed)
  • Holloway Road, entire length to align to 40km/h
• Raised flat-top speed humps
  • Wangara Road and George Street intersection
  • In front of 13 and 37 George Street (speed cushions)

Local residents and schools will receive more detail about these changes to be implemented between November 2023 and January 2024.

The impact of traffic and parking measures will be reviewed within six months of the centre’s full operation to ensure they are working as intended.

New parking restrictions in surrounding residential streets are being introduced from mid-January 2024, before the Centre is fully operational.

The parking restrictions, as recommended by the endorsed Traffic Impact Assessment Report, are designed to maximise on-street parking availability for residents.

Residents will be able to apply for up to four free digital parking permits (subject to conditions). One visitor permit can also be purchased for each property. Parking permits apply to the household's residential street only and exempt permitted vehicles from timed parking restrictions that are one hour or longer.

More detailed information about the restrictions and how to apply for the new digital permits will be sent to affected households from November 2023. Find out more about Council’s new digital parking system.

Our parking enforcement officers will have an active presence when the new restrictions come into effect to encourage the quick adoption of the new rules. Restrictions will also be monitored and reviewed throughout the first six months after the Centre officially opens to ensure that local parking needs are being met.

We’ve taken the following steps in the design of the Centre and licence and use agreements to reduce impacts on nearby residents:

• Council-controlled light-timers
• Strategic placement of speakers to point away from surrounding residential properties
• Volume control for the PA system and siren is locked and Council-monitored
• Operational times are mandated. This includes outside courts to conclude play by no later than 8pm on weekdays
• Umpires are required to use quiet whistles (aligned with Netball Victoria standards)

The site is now fully fenced and CCTV in place to discourage any access and thoroughfare from Bay Road.

Noise monitoring will be undertaken once the site is in full operation to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures.

The current netball centre at Thomas Street will remain in place and used for netball until the new centre at Holloway Road is officially opened and in use. Following this, Council will undertake a community engagement and master planning process to determine the future use of the Thomas Street site.

A proposed Rehabilitation Plan for 20 Wangara Road has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), bringing us one step closer to delivering six hectares of new passive public open space for current and future generations to enjoy. 20 Wangara Road was previously used as a quarry and municipal landfill, which has contaminated the site. The site is subject to Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Action Notices (EAN) and there are strict limits on what can be implemented and built on the site. The EPA needs to approve the proposed Rehabilitation Plan before it can be implemented, and the actions within the plan may span several years.

Between 29 November 2023 and 28 February 2024, we’re seeking ideas to help us understand community aspirations for the design and future use of 20 Wangara Road, Sandringham – located to the east of the centre.

To find out more and have your say visit Have Your Say. Select the blue + Subscribe button at the top of the page to stay informed on the project. Consultation closes 28 February 2024.