The City Oval precinct is a key sporting and recreation and community gathering space positioned in the center of Ballarat. The precinct is currently used by various stakeholders for both sporting and community activities. Sports include netball, lawn bowls, football, umpiring and athletics. A range of community and cultural events are also held onsite utilising both Saxon House and other associated buildings.

The establishment of the Intercultural Gardens provides a welcoming and inclusive gathering space that celebrates Ballarat's diversity. The garden is used for intercultural celebrations, commemorative events, flag raisings and as a space for quiet reflection.

The Masterplan will investigate opportunities to maximise the use of this community facility and provide guidance for any future developments.

Over the past decade, several capital projects have enhanced the City Oval precinct, shaping it into a vibrant community and sporting hub. The new Masterplan will build on this progress by providing a clear, strategic direction for future developments.

Key projects completed include:

• 2011: Construction of a netball court, replacing former croquet courts
• 2017: Major redevelopment of the football oval, including reshaping, irrigation, drainage, and upgraded lighting
• 2022: Resurfacing of the netball court
• 2024: Installation of a synthetic bowling green
• 2024: Creation of the Intercultural Garden, a welcoming space celebrating diversity
• 2025: Refurbishment of football change rooms
• 2025: Resurfacing of the oval

The Masterplan will guide the next stage of improvements, ensuring City Oval remains safe, inclusive, and fit for purpose for both sporting and community use.

The City Oval site has been a central part of Ballarat’s sporting and community life for more than 127 years. Originally the site of the Royal Saxon gold mine, the area became known as Saxon’s Paddock before transforming into the City Oval we know today. The historic grandstand, built in 1898, remains a proud symbol of Ballarat’s heritage.

Over the decades, City Oval has hosted countless Australian Rules football matches, including Ballarat Football Netball League finals, and served as the home ground for the Redan Football Netball Club.

The City Oval Bowling Club was established in 1922, the City Oval Bowling Club has been a cornerstone of lawn bowls in Ballarat for over a century.

In 2024, the Intercultural Garden was created at the corner of Sturt and Pleasant Streets. This space celebrates Ballarat’s cultural diversity and provides a welcoming area for community gatherings, cultural events, and quiet reflection.

The City Oval Precinct Masterplan is important because it provides a clear, long-term direction and strategic framework for how the precinct will develop and function. A Masterplan ensures that upgrades and developments are aligned with community needs and Council strategies. It helps to prioritise projects, secure funding, and avoid projects or initiatives that could compromise functionality or the heritage on the site. This creates a space that is inclusive, welcoming, functional and responsive to community needs.

We are seeking feedback on any issues, concerns or gaps in the provisions within the precinct such as parking, lighting, accessibility, safety, passive and active recreation opportunities, and the balance between sporting and broader community use.

The objectives of this engagement are to:

• Seek community ideas and input on the direction and priorities to be identified in the Masterplan.
• To identify community priorities, usage, challenges and needs related to the precinct.
• To draw out ideas, requirements and ambitions from existing and prospective users.

We’re using a mix of online and face-to-face methods to ensure everyone has a voice:

• MySay page with an online survey and project updates.
• Community drop-in sessions for open discussion.
• Direct engagement with sporting clubs, schools, and community groups.
• Letterbox drops to surrounding residents.
• Social media and email updates to keep stakeholders informed.

Your feedback will help shape the draft Masterplan. Here’s how it works:

1. Phase 1: Gather ideas and priorities from the community and stakeholders.
2. Draft Masterplan: Develop recommendations based on community feedback and Council strategies.
3. Phase 2: Share the draft for final comments and refinements.
4. Council consideration: The final Masterplan will be presented to Council for adoption.

• Follow this project on MySay for updates and opportunities to have your say.
• Look out for social media posts, community newsletters, and signage at City Oval.
• After engagement closes, we’ll publish a “What We Heard” report to show how your feedback influenced the plan.