Major milestone in Mernda’s regional sports precinct project
Published on 30 June 2025
Construction is officially underway on the regional sports precinct’s indoor stadium and outdoor courts, in what promises to be a ‘game-changer’ for sport in the fast-growing northern suburbs.
City of Whittlesea Councillor Blair Colwell and CEO Craig Lloyd joined with Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell to mark the milestone at the Plenty Road site in Mernda on Thursday 26 June 2025.
Whittlesea local and rising Melbourne Vixens star Tara Watson, junior netballers from the Northern Pride Netball Association and netball and basketball administrators were also in attendance.
The $42.14 million second stage of the regional sports precinct will deliver an indoor stadium housing multipurpose sports courts and outdoor netball courts with lighting.
It will also feature a range of supporting infrastructure for players and staff such as changeroom facilities, reception, kiosk, outdoor pavilion, car park, footpaths and landscaping.
The second stage follows the completion of extensive groundworks to prepare the site, including rock removal, levelling, installation of retaining walls and creation of a wetland.
The regional sports precinct will help to meet the rapidly rising demand for quality sporting facilities in the City of Whittlesea’s booming northern suburbs.
Currently, many residents must travel considerable distances outside the municipality to play their chosen sports, which is a major barrier to participation.
“Not everyone has someone who will take them to sport and spend hours and hours in the car commuting,” said Netball Victoria Head of Government Relations Allanah Sharman.
“If people don’t have access to quality, compliant facilities close to home, they just don’t play. So having these facilities close to home ... this will set a benchmark for the north, that’s for sure.”
Basketball Victoria General Manager Government Strategy and Innovation Jake Keogh described the precinct as a “massive win” for the sport of basketball.
“People from all backgrounds of life are coming to Australia and playing the universal game, which is basketball,” he said.
“An issue we’re seeing across the state, and it’s creeping up to the north, is longer and longer waiting lists for kids playing the sport. If we don’t have these extra courts, people are going to miss out.”
The Australian Government has committed $11.5 million towards construction of the indoor stadium and outdoor courts, while the Victorian Government has committed $10 million towards transport infrastructure and a further $10 million for the indoor stadium.
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Martin Taylor:
“This project is about more than just new facilities – it’s about removing barriers to participation, especially for women and girls, and ensuring everyone in our community has the chance to be active in a safe and welcoming space.
“Sport plays such a vital role in our community. It brings people together, builds confidence and improves health and wellbeing. The benefits of this precinct will be felt for many, many years to come.”
Quotes attributable to rising Melbourne Vixens star Tara Watson:
“I think [the precinct] will definitely help inspire young girls, and young boys as well, to play netball.
“I think having this [facility] just down the road for all the kids in the future will be amazing and I think it’s a great, positive step for the future of netball.”
Quotes attributable to Northern Pride Netball Association president Michelle Kneale:
“It’s all about getting players – young females, but also males – onto the netball courts, but not even just netball courts, onto courts in general.
“I know there’s other sports alongside netball that are just going to absolutely flourish from having this facility out here in the north.”