Mayer Park upgrade

We’re upgrading Mayer Park, located in Leinster Grove in Thornbury, as part of our ongoing commitment to community health and wellbeing.

Why are we upgrading Mayer Park’s sportsground?

This project will deliver ground upgrades to address ongoing drainage and turf surface issues to ensure a safe and fit-for-purpose ground to accommodate and maximise sport and recreation activities and participation for the local community.

This project is a high advocacy priority in Football Victoria's Facilities Strategy 2025–2035 and is supported by Cricket Victoria.

What benefits will the ground upgrades deliver?

The planned upgrades are designed to meet modern sporting standards and sports club requirements while supporting community needs.

Our goal is to ensure that people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds have access to safe sporting facilities and open spaces that encourage healthy, active, and social lifestyles and involvement in community sport such as cricket and soccer.

How is the project being funded and delivered?

Council has allocated $75,000 in this financial year’s budget for the design phase of the project, with further Council budget allocated to deliver the construction phase in the 2028–29 financial year.

The project will be delivered by Council in partnership with the Victorian Government, which has committed $500,000 towards the upgrades.

What is being delivered as part of this project?

To address current ground issues, we will complete a full renewal of the oval.

Initial planned ground works include:

• level the playing surface with a sand-based profile to address water pooling and improve surface drainage
• install subsurface drainage infrastructure to reduce waterlogging, enhance playability, and minimise turf wear and damage
• install new irrigation infrastructure to support healthy turf growth in warmer, dryer months
• install new turf playing surface using durable warm-season grass type that requires less irrigation and deliver year-round performance.

Project timeline

We’re working closely with key stakeholders throughout this project, including:

• Darebin United Soccer Club
• Northcote Cricket Club
• Sport and Recreation Victoria
• Football Victoria
• Cricket Victoria
• relevant Council departments
• residents
• casual users of Mayer Park.

How will these upgrades impact the ground and sporting club users?

Some disruption and inconvenience is expected for neighbouring residents and park users during the works period.

During the construction works, the oval will be cordoned off and unavailable for community access. Cricket training nets would likely remain accessible throughout the construction period.

Community members are encouraged to access nearby parks and sporting ovals including AH Capp and WH Robinson reserves in Preston.

More information

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Recreation and Leisure Services team on 03 8470 8305 or via email sport@darebin.vic.gov.au.