Esperance Greater Sports Ground Redevelopment

The Greater Sports Ground Redevelopment is a long term plan for the Greater Sports Ground. It will allow for continued growth and accommodation of the multi-sports activities that utilise the facilities and open spaces and the co-location of a number of significant sporting groups. The changing needs of a diverse community will inform and determine future development of this central sporting area. 

Stage 1 of the redevelopment project is the New Esperance Indoor Stadium

Stage 2 of the redevelopment project is the Refurbishment of the Noel White Pavilion 

Stage 3 of the redevelopment project is the Redevelopment of the Graham Mackenzie Stadium

Council endorsed a Masterplan for the Greater Sports Ground in October 2021, to guide and inform future developments within the precinct.

PROJECTS - Shire Lead

Pages 17 - 20 in Masterplan above.

1. Additional / Formalising Parking throughout GSG

Provide formalised and sealed car parking at various locations identified in the plan.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Timeline - Progressive

2. New Outdoor Netball Courts - COMPLETE

Provide 4 outdoor netball courts in closer proximity to the Indoor Stadium for juniors and senior training. This project is required before the third soccer pitch / green space can commence.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Other Organisations - Netball Association

Completed - May 2023

3. Closure of road between playground and Ports Oval - COMPLETE

The closure of the road will improve safety especially for children using the playground and contribute to a space for watching sports on Ports Oval. The area would be grassed / landscaped and would complement the tiered seating proposal.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Prerequisite Project - Seal Internal Road from Brazier Street

Completed - 2023

4. Tiered Seating on both sides of the Hill

Provide tiered seating built into the hill for spectators to watch sports on the Ports and Multi Sports ovals and the annual fireworks at the Ag Show.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Timeframe - Medium

5. Seal Internal Road from Brazier Street - COMPLETE

Seal the internal road from Brazier street to Ports Club Rooms, allowing for enough width around the Ports Oval to park a vehicle on the fence and two way traffic around the back.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Prerequisite Project - Removal of Tuart Trees

Completed - 2022

6. Third Soccer Pitch / Playing Surface

The requirement for a third soccer pitch / playing surface has been a high priority for a number of years. The current over usage on the main soccer field from various sports causes significant damage each year, which takes a significant amount of time to rehabilitate after each winter season.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Other Organisations - Soccer Association / Frisbee Group

Prerequisite Project - New Outdoor Netball Courts

Timeframe - Short-Medium

7. Fourth Soccer Pitch / Playing Surface

The requirement for a fourth soccer pitch / playing surface has been allowed for when demand warrants.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Other Organisations - Soccer Association / Frisbee Group

Prerequisite Project - Replacement of Soccer Storage Shed

Timeframe - Long

8. NE Public Toilet Block Relocated

Relocation of the toilet block to a more suitable location will enable the ¾ soccer pitch to become full size and will have better access to more spectators watching the ports oval.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Timeframe - Short

9. Graham Mackenzie Stadium Redevelopment

Redevelopment of the Graham Mackenzie Stadium will resolve the current structural issues and provide a more multipurpose building. 

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Timeframe - Short-Medium

10. Graham Mackenzie Stadium Public Toilet Block Relocated

Relocating the toilet block will enable the formalisation of car parking in this area and will be provided in a better location for the public toilet near the tiered seating on the hill.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Timeframe - Short-Medium

11. Removal of Tuart Trees - COMPLETE

The tuart trees around the GSG should be progressively replaced with more appropriate species that are more compatible with overflow camping and the general amenity of the GSG.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Completed - 2022

12. Power Upgrade - COMPLETE

The existing GSG power supply is at capacity and requires upgrading before any new development can occur.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Completed - July 2023

13. Close Road behind Graham Mackenzie Stadium

The current road through the GSG encourages drivers to use it as short cut, creating issues around safety and amenity particularly if the new netball courts are constructed in their proposed location. It is proposed to close off the road between the Graham Mackenzie Stadium and the Agricultural Society sheds and have a chain gate across the roads, to allow access only during certain events e.g. overflow camping or the Agricultural Show.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Prerequisite Project - Seal Internal Road from Brazier Street

Timeframe - Short

14. Multi-sports Oval Small Extension

A small extension of the Multi Sports ovals is require to fit the athletics track and cricket, when it is required to be shifted down due to the because Synthetic Hockey project.

Lead Organisation - Shire of Esperance

Other Organisations - Athletics Association

Timeframe - Medium

Projects - Externally Lead

1. Cricket Pitch relocated on Multi-sports Oval

The cricket pitch relocation will be required to shift the cricket oval to the South. This will work in better with the tiered seating on the hill and is required before the Synthetic Hockey Pitches. The cricket oval in this space isn’t considered as a premier ground. The Ports oval is the premier location for cricket on the GSG.

Lead Organisation - Cricket Association

2. Synthetic Turf Hockey Pitches

The allowance of two synthetic turf hockey pitches on NW of Multi-sports oval is provided in the plan to provide a higher level of hockey standard. A central area between the pitches (15m) is provided for viewing shelters / dug outs. Consideration should be given to what other sports could use the synthetic turf to maximise it usage.

Lead Organisation - Hockey Association

Prerequisite Project - Cricket Pitch Relocation / Power Upgrade / Multi-sports Oval Small Extension

3. Tennis Courts SE corner Relocated

The expansion of the South-eastern corner tennis courts will better utilise the current space and allow for additional tennis courts if required in the future and more parking. 

Lead Organisation - Cricket Association

4. Upgraded Playing Lights for Ports Oval 

Provide competition standard lighting for Ports oval, minimum 100 Lux. This will enable twilight / night games. Consideration is be given to installing poles that could accommodate 300 Lux. This would mean that small ball sports could play if the need arises. 

Lead Organisation - Ports Football Club

Prerequisite Project - GSG Power Upgrade

5. Replacement of Storage Shed for Soccer

When the future playing space is warranted, the current Soccer Shed needs to be replaced for storage adjacent to the current netball club room. 

Lead Organisation - Soccer Association

6. Relocation and Replacement of Horse Stables

The relocation of the current stables into the Esperance Agricultural Society’s leased area would create space for addition playing fields. Old horse stables were dismantled due to their poor condition, the need for new horse stables should be considered if the demand for their use can be justified.

Lead Organisation - Esperance & Districts Agricultural Society

7. New Single Multi-use Pavilion

The potential for a new co-located multi-use pavilion Interfacing with both Ports and Multi-sports ovals to replace existing multi-sports pavilion and Ports clubrooms. User groups could include football, hockey, cricket, frisbee, little athletics and dog club. 

Lead Organisation - TBC

Prerequisite Project - Ports Football Club / Cricket & Hockey Associations

8. Consolidation of Agricultural Society Sheds

The consolidation of the Agricultural Society sheds with one large 60m x 20m multi use shed built adjacent to the shearing/livestock sheds. This multiuse shed would include a community toilet and storage for other GSG user groups. This would also free up the current area for other activates i.e. circus or events. 

Lead Organisation - Esperance & Districts Agricultural Society

9. Netball Club Rooms

The current Netball Club Rooms should be considered for their ongoing usage given the new stadium, proposed new outdoor netball courts and the Noel White Centre redevelopment. If it is advantageous to relocate netball to the New Stadium Complex, then there is an opportunity for the likes of Soccer and Frisbee to utilise this facility. This will need to be negotiated with netball as they own the building. 

Lead Organisation - Netball Association

Other Organisations - Soccer & Frisbee Association

Prerequisite Projects - New Outdoor Netball Courts