Development FAQ's

What is Project 10:100+?

Project 10:100+ is a proposal to upgrade FSP into a year-round, multi-sport precinct capable of supporting more than 100 hours of sportsground use each week, compared with less than 10 hours today.

Why is the project needed?

Existing facilities are underused, substandard and unable to meet growing demand. Local sporting clubs are already at capacity and population growth is expected to place further pressure on community sporting infrastructure. 

How would the project support our growing population?

YJFC’s catchment population is forecast to grow by 35% by 2046. We live across inner Melbourne, where our suburbs need to accommodate hundreds of thousands of new residents.

The coalition of inner Melbourne councils (M9) identifies a shortfall of 196 sportsgrounds to meet the needs of roughly 1 in 5 Victorians by 2051 – Investing in Growth: Funding Essential Infrastructure

But we have the underused sportsgrounds at FSP that, with upgrades, would increase existing use by more than ten times. 

What’s at FSP now?

Fairlea East Oval is an undersized, natural turf oval, big enough only for U11 cricket competition and U13 junior football competition. Senior football competition lights (100 lux) were installed in 2022-23 with funding from the Thomas Embling Hospital Upgrade. The TEH project will fund removal of the temporary car park and reinstate the existing undersized ground.

The Fairlea West oval is a natural turf senior cricket oval. Raised viewing mounds were created to disperse onsite excess soil from the netball development. The berm and a path to the south cut into the football pitch. The concrete cricket pitch is uncovered in the winter. The ground is currently only suitable for pre-season training. 

What upgrades are proposed?

The project includes:

• A synthetic football pitch at Fairlea East Oval shared with junior cricket

• Two upgraded natural-turf football facilities at Fairlea West Oval shared with senior cricket

• Improved drainage, irrigation and lighting

• Additional car parking

• Better pedestrian access and internal paths, integrated with the Eastern Freeway Upgrade works

• Seating, landscaping and spectator facilities

• Supporting safety and community infrastructure 

Will cricket still be able to use the precinct?

Yes. The proposal retains cricket use across both ovals, including senior and junior cricket facilities. 

Who will benefit from the project?

Local children looking to join a team, teenagers seeking an active and inclusive environment, women and girls participating in sport, schools needing playing space, volunteers who support community clubs, and families who want local, affordable recreation opportunities.

How much additional capacity will the project create?

The proposal would increase local football capacity from two grounds to five across the Yarra Bend and Fairfield Park precinct, between Heidelberg Road and the Eastern Freeway. 

Will the project support year-round sport?

Yes. The synthetic pitch is expected to support more than 70 hours of use per week and provide reliable access during periods when natural turf facilities may be unavailable due to weather or ground conditions.  

Why is now the right time?

Significant infrastructure works and investment are already occurring across the precinct. Project supporters argue this presents a unique opportunity to coordinate upgrades and deliver a long-term community sporting outcome while surrounding works are underway. 

The temporary car park on Fairlea East Oval will not be required following the redevelopment of the Melbourne Polytechnic car park due for completion in late 2026. YJFC is advocating for the budget allocated to reinstate the Fairlea East Oval to be redirected into a synthetic pitch.

What is being requested from government?

YJFC is seeking funding and coordinated agency support to transform FSP into a safe, shared, year-round community sporting precinct serving Melbourne's growing inner north.  

Who owns Fairlea Sports Precinct?

FSP is located within Yarra Bend Park. It is public land owned by the Victorian Government and managed by Parks Victoria. 

The sporting facilities within the park are already used by a range of community sporting clubs and organisations, including YJFC for pre-season training. 

Which Victorian Government agencies are involved?

Any future redevelopment or upgrade of FSP would require coordination between Parks Victoria and other government agencies. 

This includes the Big Build team delivering the Eastern Freeway Upgrades Hoddle to Burke project. YJFC’s submission to the Big Build team has resulted in better alignment of the pedestrian and cycle paths through FSP so they no longer affect the proposed sportsground configuration. 

This also includes the Victorian Health Building Authority, which is responsible for reinstating Fairlea East Oval following the removal of the temporary car park associated with the hospital upgrade completed in 2025. Reinstating the East Oval has been delayed due to the nearby development of the Melbourne Polytechnic car park, which is due for completion in late 2026.

How much will it cost?

YJFC’s high-level estimate of the cost of developing the precinct, including car parking and surrounding landscaping works, is approximately $11 million. More detailed planning is required to confirm this estimate.

Investing in community facilities on Victorian Government land is a state responsibility.

Who will manage it?

YJFC has held preliminary conversations with Parks Victoria and Yarra City Council. Both have expressed openness to YCC taking on operational management and maintenance of the upgraded sportsgrounds, following a model similar to the netball courts and Fiona Richardson Pavilion. 

YJFC would seek a tenancy agreement with YCC, similar to current arrangements at Fairfield Park. The facilities would also be available to other clubs and hirers, such as schools and community groups.

Where can I find out more information

Want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at yjfc.info@gmail.com for more information and to tell us how you can help us bring this exciting project to life.