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In 2018, Council undertook a feasibilty study that identified the need for a long-term vision and plan for RecWest Footscray, Johnson, Shorten, and Barrett reserves. This led to the development and adoption in 2020 of the West Footscray Community Facilities Plan which aims to:

• ensure we have enough sports facilities and open space to meet the current and future needs of the community
• determine the feasibility of redeveloping the space to cater to a variety of sports and meet the community's demands now and in the future
• guide the development of Johnson, Shorten and Barrett Reserves and the integration with RecWest Footscray

The Community Facilities Plan is based on project objectives drawn from existing policies and the 2018 feasibility study which includes:

• being responsive to changing participation trends, community needs, and demands
• consolidating assets for more efficient and cost-effective asset management
• ensuring facilities that are fit for purpose and meet contemporary compliance guidelines
• provision of safe and accessible public spaces for all ages
• maximising net open space
• improving facilities while maintaining local amenity
• providing for a variety of open space uses
• improved community wellbeing and encouraging healthy active lifestyles
• encouraging active/sustainable transport modes

In 2023, the State Government committed $10 million to support the $36 million dollar redevelopment of Shorten and Barrett reserves. This includes the new RecWest building, a new multi-use court for basketball and netball with seating and lighting, along with oval and pavilion upgrades, a new bocce court, scouts outdoor activity area, and new multi-use cricket nets.

Following further engagement with our community during 2023, the Shorten-Barrett Reserve Master Plan was endorsed at the August 2024 Council meeting paving the way for detailed design to begin, with works anticipated to start in the 2025 financial year.

During 2019, Council engaged with over 20 sports clubs, user groups, and community groups, and spoke with local schools. We also conducted two online community surveys, which received over 500 responses, and hosted four community drop-in sessions.

A stakeholder reference group was also formed with community members and representatives from various user groups who met to provide feedback on current facilities and draft plans. We also undertook a feasibility study and projected the future demand for our facilities.

The information that we gained helped us to refine the concept plans to facilitate further discussion which was undertaken in early 2020. This informed the final Plan which was adopted in September 2020, where Council authorised due diligence and geotechnical investigations which resulted in proposed changes which the community was invited to provide additional feedback on during 2023.

RecWest Footscray is located on the corner of Market and Essex streets and includes an indoor stadium/hall with a stage, small gymnasium, meeting/activity rooms, kitchens, an administration area, change rooms and amenities, an unused outdoor court, bocce rink, and small car park.

It once housed the largest basketball club in Victoria, all from a one-court stadium, and was previously an aquatic facility complete with a pool and sauna.

Established in 1961 and managed under contract by the YMCA, today this community-based recreation facility offers Sports Development programs for juniors, sporting competitions, a community health club, group fitness classes, outside school hours care, school holiday programs, and facility hire.

Key user groups include:

• Senior Citizens
• Health and Fitness
• Disability Support Services
• Basketball
• Indoor soccer
• Roller Derby

The Laneway Church also runs services at RecWest each Sunday.

Built in 1953 on top of a contaminated former landfill, the facility buildings and surrounds are failing due to aging infrastructure and subsidence from poor soil conditions. As well as creating voids under the building slab, which are particularly visible on the north side of the building, the uneven settlement of the ground and topsoil has also damaged landscaping and paving.

Extensive geotechnical investigations have been undertaken to identify site issues and constraints to guide potential redevelopment. This work has identified the need for soil remediation before any redevelopment.

Bounded by Blandford, Essex, Graham and Market streets, Shorten Reserve runs adjacent to RecWest and is separated only by Market Street.

It was established on a former quarry site which has been poorly filled, contaminated, and poorly compacted, resulting in an undulating oval surface.

It has an open car park, playground, undersized football oval, sports pavilion, turf wicket, external cricket nets, and a pavilion that no longer meets the needs of tenant clubs including the West Footscray Football Club and Druids Cricket Club.

The Reserve is named for Kevin Shorten, the first civil defence controller of the Footscray Civil Defence Organisation (the forerunner to the State Emergency Service, SES) formed on 8 February 1962. The only unit in Victoria at the time, it was called on to assist at the crash of the Southern Aurora at Violet Town in 1969 and at the collapse of the West Gate Bridge during its construction on 15 October 1970.