A Better Shorten Reserve and RecWest For Footscray

Families in Footscray will enjoy new basketball facilities, thanks to a re-elected Andrews Labor Government. 

We’ll invest up to $10 million towards the delivery of the Shorten-Barrett Reserve Masterplan, which includes a new RecWest building, a new multi-use court for basketball and netball with seating and lighting, along with oval and pavilion upgrades. The Masterplan also proposes delivery of a new bocce court, scouts outdoor activity area and new multi-use cricket nets, delivering new facilities that the whole community can be proud of. 

Community sport is the lifeblood of so many suburbs, bringing families together through a shared love of sport.  

Local clubs work hard to fundraise for better facilities for their teams but as more families struggle to make ends meet, clubs may not be able to rely on the generosity of their members alone. 

That’s why the Labor Government is backing local sports clubs and families to deliver better sports grounds and facilities. 

We have invested more than $1.6 billion to upgrade and improve local recreation reserves and sports grounds – making them better for local families. 

We’ve delivered better courts and grounds, new scoreboards, lighting upgrades and female-friendly changing facilities for clubs in every corner of the state. 

Only Labor will deliver an upgraded Shorten Reserve and RecWest in Footscray, looking after the needs of local families. 

Quote attributable to Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence 

“This redevelopment is a great example of how the Andrews Labor Government is making sport more accessible, welcoming and inclusive." 

Quotes attributable to the Member for Footscray Katie Hall 

“I’m so proud to have worked with the Roosters, Bokkers, the Druids and local residents to secure up to $10 million for new facilities and upgrades at Shorten Reserve and RecWest.” 

“This funding will help deliver new modern club rooms and a competition grade oval that will be loved by the community for decades to come. Across the road, RecWest at Barrett Reserve will be redeveloped with a new multi-use court for basketball and netball.” 

“The Andrews Labor Government is proud to support the community sporting clubs in the inner west. To use my favourite netball cliché, we are ‘here if you need!’”