News and events

Media Releases

View the latest media releases from the Minister for Sport and Recreation Victoria.

Football and Netball Lighting Guide

The Football and Netball Lighting Guide aims to answer the key questions local sporting clubs, organisations and councils may face when installing new lighting projects. It offers recommendations for planning, design, maintenance and operation of a variety of lighting systems. Read the Guide (PDF 443 kb) or (Word 134 kb).

Netball Court Planning Guide

The Netball Court Planning Guide has been developed in partnership with Netball Victoria. The Guide has been developed to assist communities in using their resources effectively to ensure the successful development or upgrade of netball courts in the future. The guide offers recommendations for planning, design and maintenance of netball courts along with providing examples of different surface types. Five case studies are featured to emphasise a range of local issues, budgets and specific technical factors that need to be taken into account when councils, clubs and associations tackle their own projects. Read the Guide (PDF 414 kb) or (Word 154 kb).

New Vision to Redevelop Melbourne's Home of Grand Slam

On Monday 26 January, Premier John Brumby announced $5 million to progress a proposal to redevelop Melbourne Park, helping to secure the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific on Victoria’s world-class calendar of major sporting events beyond 2016 and advancing Melbourne’s reputation as the home of Australian tennis. For more information read the Melbourne Park redevelopment media release.

Yachting Victoria’s Go Sailing and Boating Project

Savings from the Melbourne Stopover of the 2005/06 Volvo Ocean Race was reinvested by Sport and Recreation Victoria into the Go Sailing and Boating project. This enabled Yachting Victoria to provide water race management, volunteer training and sport development for local sailing clubs throughout Victoria. The Volunteer Training for Future Participation and Events report (PDF 433 kb) or (Word 83 kb) describes participation in the project, the impact on the local sailing communities and lessons learned from the Go Sailing and Boating project.

Unsung Heroes of Grassroots Sport Recognised at the 2008 Sport and Recreation Awards

Max Kelleher of Abbotsford and Barbara Morgan of Point Cook shared the top honour when they were presented with the Minister’s Award for Lifetime Achievement, along with 10 other winners in various categories, at a special event held in the MCG Members’ Dining Room on Monday 6 October. “Sport and recreation in Victoria is strong because of the hard work and dedication of the unsung heroes behind the scenes, who give up their time to do the many jobs to support the wide range of sport played around the state every weekend,” Mr Merlino said.
To find out more read the Winners and Finalists (PDF 2013 kb) or (Word 99 kb).

Minister Urges Sport Spectators to Stamp Out Negative Behaviour

Victoria to host Champions Hockey Event

Relax, sport should be fun!

World Championships Deliver Economic Boost and Lasting Legacy

The final report on the 12th FINA World Championships, has shown that the Victorian economy received a $105 million boost from hosting the event, exceeding original expectations. Additionally, the Victorian Government’s contribution to stage the event hailed as the “biggest and best championships of all time” was $2.9 million lower than its projected budget announced in February 2007. Read the 12th FINA World Championship Summary Report (PDF 1.5 mb).

Community Sport and Recreation Achievers Honoured

A 50-year contribution to the sport of baseball has seen Paul Collins of Keilor Park awarded the top honour at the 2007 Sport and Recreation Awards. Mr Collins was presented with the Minister's Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino. Read the 2007 Sport and Recreation Awards booklet (PDF 448 kb).

Determination for cricket and Football seasons

Where there is joint tenancy between football and cricket clubs, the Government has facilitated an agreement between Cricket Victoria and AFL Victoria to define the seasonal arrangements. The agreement - called the ‘Determination’ - sets out the respective lengths of the cricket and football seasons and the access arrangements for each sport for ground preparation and practice. For a copy of the document please refer to the Minister's Determination of Seasons (PDF 1355 kb)

Discretionary watering of sports grounds banned under Stages 3 and 4 water restrictions

water restrictions

However, some exempt playing surfaces (PDF 59 kb) may be watered under Stages 3 and 3a restrictions in accordance with the Drought Response Plan prepared by the water authorities. Exempt surfaces include turf cricket wickets, en-tout-cas tennis courts, bowling or croquet greens, hockey pitches, and golfing tees or greens. Copies of this plan are available from your water authority’s website.

Councils with a Water Conservation Plan (PDF 103 kb) approved by their water authority may seek permission to water sports grounds or vary their watering of exempt surfaces. Generally, one in four sportsgrounds may be watered provided that the water used on the ground is reduced by 25%.

Stage 4 water restrictions ban all watering of sports grounds and surfaces.

Details of water storage levels and restrictions in force throughout Victoria are available from the Department for Sustainability and Environment or through your local water authority. Sustainable Water Practices for Sport and Recreation provides examples of using available water more efficiently and options for alternative water.

Web Site Updates

DPCD's websites are progressively being updated to reflect the changes following the establishment of the department. This means you will continue to see some references to the Department for Victorian Communities (DVC) as changes are being made.