Works to complete Mount Evelyn’s Morrison Reserve recreational upgrades are a step closer with a builder now appointed for stage two.
Warrandale Industries’ tender for $1.9 million was approved by Yarra Ranges Council at the meeting on Tuesday 12 August.
Having been awarded stage one of the project in March last year, Warrandale Industries will produce the final stage, including the youth activation space and bike bath.
Stage two works will construct a multi-level bike trail network, pump track, snake run, youth activation zone(s), DDA-compliant access paths, overpass bridges, and landscaping throughout, adding to the existing revitalised playspace.
Councillor Tim Heenan said that once these works are completed in mid-2026, Morrison Reserve will be a fantastic precinct for sport, families and young people.
“This has been a dream of mine since I first came on council in 2005, but at that stage, we had enormous problems, and we needed a major upgrade for the athletics track to become our one and only regional athletics in Yarra Ranges. That’s been done,” he said.
“We had the upgrade of the car park at quite a few $100,000, that’s been done. We just recently finished as part of stage one, the playspace, toilets, activation space and also the multi-purpose netball, basketball, and soccer courts. That’s been done.
“So now we’re here for stage two, which will include a multi-level bike trail network. That’ll be, I think, very interesting and very different from what we’re used to seeing in other parts of the Shire.”
The upgrades in stages one and two were made possible with $2.6 million in funding from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund Program 2023-24.
Cr Jeff Marriott echoed Cr Heenan’s sentiments and said this was just another example of the incredible initiatives being undertaken across the shire.
He said that while the improvements already made at Morrison Reserve have been great, the final stage “takes it to the next level”.
“I really like the concept…this development will end up adding to the strategic objectives for community well-being, infrastructure development, and active living. So it’s a huge plus for that area,” Cr Marriott said.
Warrandale Industries is no stranger to the Yarra Ranges, having completed multiple projects across the region, including Queen’s Park in Healesville, the Gembrook Skate and Leisure Park, and the Warburton Recreation precinct.
Construction of stage two is set to get underway in quarter four of this year.
