Long-awaited master plan follows years of community pressure and political promises
Mornington Peninsula Shire has released a draft master plan for the Somerville Recreation Reserve, marking the latest chapter in a campaign that’s been running for years.
The plan outlines 29 proposed upgrades shaped by feedback from local clubs, residents and community members — many of whom have spent years lobbying for the improvements now under consideration.
Located on Jones Road, the reserve is home to Somerville’s football, cricket and netball clubs and supports 49 sporting teams across the site. But as STPL News reported in May 2023 in the Somerville Times, the facilities have long struggled to keep up with demand, with limited storage, ageing pavilions and temporary amenities forcing clubs to fund or carry out repairs themselves.
A reserve locals have fought to improve
In 2023, former Australian netballer Bianca Chatfield said it was saddening to see how little has been done over the years.
“It saddens me to see the facilities and how little has been done over the years.”
Chatfield called for “comfortable change rooms and toilets, accessible when participating and a place to feel safe and welcomed.”
Former Australian first-class cricketer Shaun Graf and Fremantle Dockers player Hayden Young also backed the push for upgrades.
“There was nothing I looked forward to more as a kid than arriving at Jones Rd on game day,” Young told the Somerville Times.
“Running out onto the field each week with my mates is where my dreams and aspirations were formed.”
He said he hoped to see the facilities improved so “the next generation can have the same opportunities we did — but with the facilities they deserve.”
What’s in the new plan
The draft master plan proposes:
- A new two-storey pavilion for football, cricket and netball clubs.
- Upgraded playing surfaces, lighting and change rooms.
- Sealed and expanded car parking.
- New walking paths with bench seating.
- Improved toilets, social spaces and landscaping.
Cr Kate Roper (Beek Beek Ward) said the plan reflects years of consultation and the community’s shared vision for the site.
“This is a fantastic outcome for our community,” Cr Roper said.
“Local clubs and residents have helped shape a plan that supports both sport and recreation. It’s about creating a space that’s welcoming, accessible and built for the future.”
Political focus and funding
The reserve also became a talking point during this year’s federal election, attracting competing funding pledges. Labor promised $250,000 for new netball change rooms, while the Liberal Party committed $5 million towards a full upgrade — the largest single election promise for a Western Port project.
The pledges followed years of frustration over maintenance backlogs and slow progress on the original community-driven plans.
Have your say
Public consultation on the draft master plan is open until 3 December 2025. Submissions can be made via the Shire’s website or at service centres in Hastings, Mornington and Rosebud.
Feedback will help shape the final version of the plan, which will guide future investment and project staging.
A milestone after years of advocacy
For many locals, the release of the draft marks a turning point. Clubs have fought for more than a decade to see meaningful upgrades to the reserve — first through community fundraising, then election commitments, and now through the Shire’s planning process.
As one club representative told STPL News:
“We’ve been ready for this for years. The facilities are tired, but the passion around this reserve has never faded. We just need the plans to turn into action.”
To provide feedback on the new Master Plan visit Mornington Peninsula Shire Council website: Draft Somerville Recreation Reserve Master Plan
