The ACT Government is committed to investing $7.5 million to upgrade the Phillip District Enclosed Oval.

The improvements will bring the oval in line with other high quality enclosed facilities in Canberra such as Greenway Oval and Gungahlin Oval.

The project budget is $7.5 million.

The project scope will be:

• the construction of a new (stand-alone) community sports pavilion that will include a community area, a kiosk, changerooms, general purpose rooms, amenities and associated functional areas (i.e. storage);
• the refurbishment of the existing Michael O'Connor grandstand;
• the installation of new LED sportsground lighting to support night time match play use;
• the construction of new maintenance facilities (i.e. storage shed); and
• general oval upgrades.

The preferred location of the new community sportsground pavilion is in the southwest corner of the site (off Albermarle Place).

Given the site is relatively restricted, the preferred location provides access and minimises the impact on existing infrastructure.

The preferred location will require the alignment of the existing site boundary and a Technical Amendment to the Territory Plan will be required.

Yes, the project will be required to obtain all necessary planning approvals.

To adjust the site boundary, a Technical Amendment to the Territory Plan will be required. However, this will not affect the existing PRZ2 - Restricted Access Recreation Zone that is currently in place on the Phillip District Enclosed Oval.

The Technical Amendment will be required and would be subject to a statutory public notification period.

On the new community sports pavilion, a separate Development Application will be required and would again be subject to a statutory public notification period.

The facility will cater for a range of sports, however, primary sports users will include rugby union, rugby league and cricket.

Yes, a car parking plan will developed during the planning and design phase of the project.

The car parking plan will review existing parking arrangements and further consider options for sportsground users to access other nearby public car parks, noting that peak usage for Phillip District Enclosed Oval will be on weekends or later in the evening on weekdays.

While the project will include the construction of a new community sports pavilion, the primary use of the facility will not change.

As a result, the upgrade of the Phillip District Enclosed Oval is unlikely to see a significant increase to traffic around the facility. However, a traffic impact assessment will be undertaken as the design is developed.

The anticipated lighting levels will be consistent with similar ACT Government sportsgrounds across the city and are not expected to impact nearby residents.

The sportsground lighting system(s) will be designed and installed in accordance with Australian Standards with light spill (obtrusive light) minimised.

Some trees may need to be removed as part of the development. To offset the loss, a replanting program will be implemented to see new trees planted around the District Playing Field.

Yes, all changerooms will be fully complaint with the ACT Government's guidelines on Female Friendly Changerooms at Sporting Facilities.

The project has been commissioned to deliver sporting infrastructure, and the facilities will primarily service the anticipated sporting user groups.

While a function area and kiosk will be included in the new community sports pavilion, no other commercial opportunities will be provided.

The timing of construction is unknown at this stage, however a Development Application for the new community sports pavilion is expected to be lodged in 2022.