News
Portable changeroom proposal put on ice

A proposal to buy up to three portable changerooms has been put on ice after it was determined the cost for each portable would likely exceed $100,000.

Cr Paul Pratt said he was surprised at the price to install portables at sports grounds in Baw Baw Shire.
In response, he urged further investigation into a more cost-effective solution - including looking at second-hand portables - when required.
Cr Pratt requested an officer report into the feasibility of council purchasing up to three portable changerooms at the December council meeting.
He said the portables could be utilised at Western Park oval two, a Warragul facility with no changerooms, as well as during sport ground refurbishments.
The report estimated the cost to purchase, install, insure and maintain a small unit, measuring 12 metres by three metres, would be $87,605. For three, the expected cost was $202,815.
However, a larger unit measuring 14.8 metres by 3.5 metres - needed for AFL football, would be closer to $121,205 each, or $303,615 for three.
Those quoted met sports code requirements and would feature bench seating, bag hooks, an air conditioning unit, lighting and wooden access ramp. It would not contain toilet, showers or first aid amenities.
Any relocation of the portables would cost about $40,000.
"Installing temporary portables would have a positive impact on users of facilities where there are limited or no access to adequate changerooms," the report said, noting the buildings would provide somewhere for people to change.
However, it also noted the move could see community groups feel that "upgrading the main pavilions at reserves (as per venue masterplans) may no longer become a priority".
"It is recommended that council complete targeted user group consultation at any reserve prior to any decision to install temporary changerooms," the report concluded.
Officers also highlighted that Bellbird Park oval had changeroom facilities behind Andrews Lounge but had limited umpire provisions. In this situation, one smaller unit was deemed acceptable.
In addition to Bellbird Park and Western Park oval two, highlighted in the general business motion, the report said "more venues across the shire have limited changeroom provision...in particular the sport of netball".
Cr Pratt said pricing detailed in the report was based on brand new portables and featured only one supplier's quote, recommending council "investigate further options to buy these second hand, potentially from a neighbouring shire or construction company currently using portables as part of a decanting project."
He said a federal government grant application to build a pavilion at Western Park oval two had been made and, if successful, would make the need for portable changerooms at the venue "redundant."
"I'd like to see the outcome of this grant application before we progress with this further," Cr Pratt said. "If the grant is unsuccessful, I'll be recommending we proceed with the purchase of portables...but with further investigation to a more cost-effective solution".
Cr Ben Lucas said he'd "piggy-backed" on Cr Pratt's motion to advocate on behalf of Bellbird Park, but emphasised his move "wasn't a Drouin versus Warragul thing."
Acknowledging "there's nothing" at Western Park oval two, Cr Lucas said the community asset utilised by kids across Baw Baw had "a real big need."
"I'm sort of happy with the officer's report and to put this on ice," Cr Lucas said. "Keeping that in our back pocket for the future is really handy to have."

Subscribe to The Warragul and Drouin Gazette to read the full story.