Spring Creek Oval Reconstruction

Spring Creek Oval.jpg

Spring Creek Recreation Reserve is a regional level sports facility hosting local and district level AFL and Cricket competition. This facility has also hosted state level VFL matches. The Oval size is 1.6 hectors, with 1 turf cricket square that can accommodate 5 decks, 2 sets of AFL type goal posts and 2 goal nets (one behind each set). The growth of participation in both football and cricket, including the emergence and rapid growth of participation, places significant demand on the oval.

Reconstruction of the Spring Creek Oval will be taking place over the summer of 2025/2026. The project involves:

  • New turf profile
  • Irrigation
  • Drainage
  • Fencing 
  • Shelters

Why is the surface being reconstructed?

  • The oval surface is poor and difficult to manage and doesn't recover well from the ongoing use from the Torquay Football Club in winter and Torquay Cricket Club in summer. 
  • The centre wicket and outfield do not meet current turf profile standards and their is a poor range of grass species. 
  • The estimated use of the oval is approximately 30 plus hours per week, which is well beyond the capacity of an oval with this soil profile. 
  • Water from nearby Spring Creek flows into the oval on high tide, and the slow discharge back to the creek results in damage to the oval's surface.  

What has been done so far?

Council have conducted surveying, soil testing, location of services and cultural heritage assessment. 

The detailed design process is underway which will include drainage, earthworks and irrigation details. 

The tender specifications are being prepared to allow the tender to open in September.

Once a contactor is appointed a timeline of works will be developed, keeping in mind the start of the 2026 football season and wanting to make sure the reconstructed oval is ready for the start of the season. 

FAQ's

What are the drainage issues at Spring Creek Oval?

Council are aware of the drainage issue at Spring Creek oval.

A new drainage design is included in the detailed design and will address the issues.

More information will be provided once the detailed design is received.

What will happen to the Torquay Cricket Club 2025/2026 season?

Council officers have been working closely with both the Torquay Cricket Club and Torquay Football Club when developing the plans for this reconstruction. 

The Torquay Cricket Club Men's turf team will play away for the summer season and the Cricket Blast program has relocated to Quay Reserve. 

Will their be a height increase of the oval?

Based on the findings of the geotechnical reports and the potential presence of a high-water table, we are aiming to minimise excavation. As a result, a Perched Water Table profile has been selected, which allows for high infiltration rates of approximately 45% and provides additional water storage.

However, the design consultant will also explore the possibility of adding a 100mm increase in height in the detailed design phase. The ability to increase the oval height is constrained by the existing infrastructure surrounding the oval such as kerbing and goal netting.

 

Will the length or width of the oval change?

There is no scope to increase the area of the oval in this project, but the site is restricted anyway due to the existing perimeter road and existing services.

The existing oval dimensions do not meet the desired minimums identified within the AFL Preferred Community Facilities Guidelines, but as the guideline it is noted that many existing facilities may not meet the preferred guidelines.

 

What is the project timeline?

The project timeline will be confirmed once the tender process is complete and a contractor selected.

A more accurate project timeline will be available once we receive the confirmed program of works from the appointed contractor.

Location

McCartney Oval, Torquay 3228  View Map

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