Council
29 July, 2026
Usage concerns won’t stall potential upgrades
CORANGAMITE Shire Council will look to take a ‘build it and they will come’ approach to the future of the Timboon Sporting Centre after disagreeing with the findings of a 100-page feasibility report.
nanimously adopted at the June Ordinary Meeting of Council, outlining the framework for the future development of the sporting centre.
The 44-year-old facility serves as the primary hub for indoor sports and community activities in Timboon, featuring a multi-purpose court, 24-hour gym, program room, two squash courts and supporting amenities.
Otium Planning Group Pty Ltd undertook the $40,000 feasibility report which found the expansion of the facility to include a second court would be best suited following an uptick in occupancy.
The current occupancy average on the main court over the past 12-month period was 45 per cent, with the report outlining a need to increase occupancy to 80 per cent prior to a sweeping expansion of the facility.
Despite the logjam of occupancy, the centre’s financials have remained relatively stable following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total income has risen over the past five years due to growth in programs, gym use and court-based sports, with the centre bringing in $93,000 or more over the past three years.
While expenditure has also risen over the past three years, largely due to staff costs and contracts, the figures show the centre has remained financially viable.
Ongoing maintenance was also cited as a rising cost, with the super-structure, roof and fit out and fittings all deemed in fair condition with significant maintenance required.
Existing improvements in the facility, such as $27,944 having been invested for the implementation of 24/7 gym access, have already paved the way for an increase in usage.
Meanwhile, a major allocation of $150,000, designated for full floor reconstruction, remains unspent while soil and ground condition assessments are pending.
The feasibility report noted expansion could be beneficial with two indoor courts as the current single court creates a bottleneck of usage at peak times.
The report identified multiple scheduling opportunities on the main court after 7.30pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
The vision for two courts includes one fully compliant court, which may alleviate scheduling conflicts and support expanded participation in netball, basketball and other sports.
Expansion and modernisation of the gym and group fitness areas was also cited as a pathway to accommodating growing demand, in addition to upgrading amenities which include providing accessible, gender-inclusive change rooms.
A re-design of the main entry, foyer and social areas was also listed as having the potential to position the centre as a community hub.
As mover of the motion, councillor Jamie Vogels said he disagreed with the notion occupancy percentage should serve as a definitive benchmark for expansion.
“I think future decisions should be based on real community demand, compliance and long-term needs rather than artificial utilisation targets,” he said.
“I think the feasibility report confirms Timboon Sporting Centre is a highly valued community asset but I do have concerns the conclusions do not fully reflect the evidence presented.
“The report relies heavily on a 45 per cent court utilisation figure but it also acknowledges peak time conflicts, late junior sessions and limited access after school and on weekends.
“Those are the times when demand actually occurs.
“Unused hours during school occupation and unsuitable times don’t represent spare capacity, in my mind.”
Cr Vogels said the existing court being deemed non-compliant for attracting tournaments and competitions was also having an impact on usage.
“The existing court is also acknowledged as non-compliant, meaning it should be counted as at fully-functioning capacity,” he said.
“We need to be careful to not use current limitations as to justifying delaying investment.
“A compliant second court may be what enables participation and growth.”
As seconder, deputy mayor councillor Laurie Hickey said the bottleneck of usage during peak hours was evidence for a second court.
“I think Timboon and the way it’s growing at the moment would probably benefit from a second court,” he said.
“I did hear the last basketball game starts at 10pm so it is midnight by the time you get home.
“If you start early in the morning, it does not make the late game so attractive.”
Cr Makin thanked those involved for their work in compiling the report but said she felt “underwhelmed” with the result.
“I was hoping for a bit more of a definitive answer of what we need and don’t need to do, but I’m also cautious that the report compares Timboon with much larger regional and metropolitan centres,” she said.
“The reality is that Timboon is a rural farming community and participation will look very different for us here in a rural community.
“While I acknowledge they want to get to the 80 per cent target, our children are often playing sport and the family that goes one way cannot go two ways.
“On weekends they are already committed to playing football, netball, hockey or soccer so it’s really hard to convert them to go back and utilise the stadium on the weekends.
“I think this is something we need to look at on a much larger scale as to what we can do, and the biggest question for me isn’t increasing participation but why are we not attracting regional tournaments and competition?”
Cr Makin said it was clear improvement to create a more inviting facility would be key to increased usage.
“I think that would be a much better way,” she said.
“Future investment and what the way forward looks like for Timboon, for the court itself and the whole of the stadium, needs to be drilled down a bit more.
“I think if we can look at doing that work better, we make it better to attract more things to happen.
“I think you’ll see the occupancy level move up and therefore perhaps the demand for a second court might be there.
“Let’s fill the space that we’ve got first, make it compliant and go from there.”
Cr Gstrein said she didn’t disagree but wanted to approach any future expansion of the facility with caution as it would require significant financial investment.
“I’m just very cautious about large dollar investment in a stadium which currently has a 45 per cent occupancy rate on the main court,” she said.
“I think we need to do a business case or feasibility study before we fully invest significant dollars into the main court of the second court – I think we need to have a lot more information.”
Cr Makin noted receiving the report did not mean making any financial commitment, but was a step on the path to assessing the possibility of what could be.
“It needs to be a whole community effort which is off to a strong start with the 24/7 gym and growth in Timboon,” she said.
“I think this is just the starting point as to what we could do with this stadium.”
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