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Project Background

Project Background

On 23 May 2023 the Honourable State Member for Northern Victoria – Jaclyn Symes announced $15 Million funding for the redevelopment of the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre (BIRC).

The Council, at its meeting on 11 October 2023, resolved to award the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Redevelopment Architectural Services Contract to architects Brand & Co Pty Ltd.

Council will work with Brand across all stages of the design process from site selection to final design.

Key Stages

Key Stages

Select a stage for further detail.

What do we want to learn? Preferred site and initial ideas from the community.

There are two key priorities for community engagement during Site Selection. The first is to launch the BIRC Redevelopment project to the community and provide details on the future stages as the project progresses towards completion.

The other priority is to determine the site for the stadium to be built. Brand have conducted an initial assessment of the three potential sites (Ackerly, Barkly, and Churchill) to determine their suitability as a location for the stadium. This assessment, alongside other supporting information will be presented to the community for feedback throughout December and January. The decision on the selected site will occur in February, taking into consideration Brand’s recommendations, Council input, and the results of the community engagement campaign. Specific site and stadium design feedback will be sought during the Concept Design Stage.

Visit the Site Selection Page

What do we want to learn? Community input on stadium design, facilities and amenities to be included, opportunities for shared resources, site specific feedback.

Concept Design Stage Considerations – The specific detail that will be included during this phase will be highly impacted by the selected site. Information and engagement will be tailored to gather a clear understanding of ideas and needs from the community, Council and user groups.

What do we want to learn?

Does the developed design meet the community’s expectations – Has anything been missed?

At the Detailed Design stage Brand Architects will share the completed designs with the community and Council. This stage will demonstrate how the redevelopment will meet community needs and how consultation has shaped the final design.

Project Steering Committee

The Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Project Steering Committee was established by the Council at its meeting on 24 April 2024.

The purpose of the steering committee is to:

  • Ensure project success and support delivery of the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Redevelopment Project to the community.
  • Ensure the design of the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Redevelopment Project is inclusive and fit for purpose.
  • Represent the community and provide guidance and direction based on the community’s needs.

The Councillor representatives on the committee are:

  • Cr Peter Davis
  • Cr Bernie Hearn

The CEO appointed three officers to the Committee:

  • Project Manager
  • Community Development and Recreation Coordinator
  • Open Spaces Coordinator
  • Noel Baumgarten
  • Simone Sammon

Community Representatives on the Committee are:

In accordance with the Steering Committee Terms of Reference, the Mayor invited representatives from Hume Region Community Infrastructure, Place, Sport and Recreation Victoria, Basketball Victoria, President Benalla Basketball Association and Chair of the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Committee of Management to join the committee.

Site Selection and Consultation

Site Selection and Consultation Results

December 2023 - February 2024 - Site selection consultation is now closed

Brand have completed a feasibility assessment on three potential sites for the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre (BIRC) Redevelopment project.

The three potential sites are:

  • Option 1 - Ackerly Avenue, current location of Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre
  • Option 2 - Churchill Recreation Reserve – Waller Street, Benalla
  • Option 3 - Former Benalla P-12 College Barkly Street Campus – 41-55 Barkly Street; Benalla.
We are currently seeking feedback on the communities preferred location. Visit the Site Selection page to view full details for this first stage of the BIRC Redevelopment project.

Update: April 2024

The full results from the Site Selection Stage of community consultation were presented to Council at the 10 April Finance and Planning Meeting. The Council Report and consultation data can be found in the Document Library section on this page. Community Members can also view the report to Council on Council's YouTube Page.

The decision on the preferred site will be made at the 24 April Council Meeting

Update: May 2024

At the 24 April Council Meeting, Barkly Street has been given in principle support as the preferred site location for the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre Redevelopment. A steering committee will be established to guide the project through the next stages. For full details you can view the 24 April Council Meeting on YouTube or read the Council Report in the Document Library on this page.

Preferred Site Voting

Preferred Site Electronic Votes

Electronic Voting Summary

A review of the surveys submitted revealed contrasting trends between the electronic (642 submissions) and paper-based (74 submissions) surveys.

Paper-Based Surveys

  • The current Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre at Ackerly Avenue was the preferred location for the project at 83.8 percent (62 votes), 12.1 percent (9 votes) prefer Benalla P-12 College Barkly Street site and 4.1 percent (3 votes) selected Churchill Recreation Reserve.
  • Churchill Recreation Reserve was the least preferred location at 59.1 percent (39 votes), followed by Benalla P-12 College Barkly Street site 34.8 percent (23 votes) and current Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre at Ackerly Avenue 6.1 percent (4 votes)

Combined Data

  • Most preferred site: Benalla P-12 College Barkly Street site received 51 percent of votes, the current Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre at Ackerly Avenue received 24.5 percent of votes and Churchill Recreation Reserve received 24.5 percent of votes.
  • Least preferred site: the current Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre at Ackerly Avenue received 41 percent of votes, Churchill Recreation Reserve received 41 percent

Call Out to Sports and Recreation Groups


Benalla Rural City Council, in collaboration with Brand Architects, is excited to announce the next stage of the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre (BIRC) Redevelopment project. As part of this next step, the Council invites local sporting groups and current BIRC user groups to provide input on this exciting community infrastructure project. The current consultation period will close on 15 September 2024.

This stage of consultation is targeted at sports and recreation groups, with further consultation with the broader community to follow as concept designs are developed.

Brand Architects are seeking input from local sports and recreation groups to assist in the concept design for the BIRC Redevelopment. Council would like to hear from current BIRC users and from other groups who are interested in using the new facility. This information will allow Brand to consider local needs in the design process.

UPDATE

50 survey submissions were received. The survey results have been discussed with the Project Steering Committee and with Brand Architects. To view a full summary of the survey results please view the Survey Summary PDF in the document library on this page.