Road project paves way for new sports courts

Mernda is a significant step closer to being the home of a new sporting precinct after the City of Whittlesea awarded a crucial construction contract. 

The contract is to extend Everton Drive in Mernda about 100 metres east to connect with Plenty Road, creating a new intersection. 

The road project is the first stage of the regional sports precinct in Mernda, which will be followed by the construction of multi-purpose sports courts. 

The new traffic light-controlled intersection will not only help to reduce congestion around Mernda, but provide access to the sports precinct via Everton Drive. 

In July, Council appointed COX Architecture to design and construct the second stage of the development, featuring netball, basketball and other courts for club and community use. 

City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the courts would help address a deficit in quality sporting facilities across the growing northern suburbs. 

“Council is committed to ensuring residents have access to the sport and recreation facilities they need to lead physically active and healthy lives,” she said. 

“These new multi-purpose courts will help to boost participation rates across all ages in sports such as netball and basketball. 

“One of the biggest impediments to participating in sport and leisure activities is ease of access, with travel being a common deterrent for time-poor families. 

“But when the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection is finished, it will deliver a convenient way for people to access the precinct.” 

Construction on the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection is anticipated to begin in early February, while work on the sports courts is expected to start in the 2024-25 financial year. 

Plenty Road will remain open for the duration of the works, which are expected to take about 12 months, but motorists will experience changed traffic conditions, such as a reduction in the speed limit, to keep workers and road users safe. 

More information about traffic arrangements will be communicated closer to the project’s start date. 

For more information on the project and to stay up to date, go to www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/plentyroadintersection