Sportlink Opening

The new and improved Sportlink is officially open!

Sporting groups, clubs and players are enjoying the new facilities at Vermont South’s Sportlink with its $8.6m upgrade officially unveiled.

Construction on the project began in April 2022 and was completed in February 2023, and the new facilities became available in early March.

The redeveloped Sportlink was officially opened in a ceremony on 29 April by Whitehorse Mayor, Councillor Mark Lane, and attended by dignitaries including Michael Sukkar MP, Federal Member for Deakin.

The $8.6m redevelopment was jointly funded by Whitehorse City Council and $1.5m from the Federal Government’s Community Development Grants program.

The major highlight of this project has been the new roof constructed over the outdoor courts and spectator seating, transforming the space into an all-weather venue. The new courts, which have also been upgraded with an acrylic surface, can

New Union station for commuters now open

accommodate a wide range of sports and activities from basketball, netball, skating and even roller sports. Along with the new roof and court surface upgrades, a gravel carpark between Livingstone Primary School and the centre has been sealed, along with some fresh landscaping around the venue.

The project also has a number of key environmentally sustainable elements, including the addition of 240 solar panels on Sportlink’s existing roof, rainwater harvesting, and improved drainage. Terrara Ward Councillor Raylene Carr, who has the centre in her ward, said she was delighted to see the expansion of Sportlink completed.

Whitehorse Councillors Amanda McNeil, Tina Liu, Prue Cutts, Raylene Carr and Mayor Mark Lane celebrate the official opening of the $8.6m Sportlink redevelopment. Picture: Wren Steiner.

“This upgrade will make Sportlink an even more popular destination for sport in Whitehorse, and is a great example of Council’s continued efforts to provide more facilities for the whole community, and especially for women and girls,” Cr Carr said.

L Find out more about what you can play and do at Sportlink by visiting: www.sportlink.org.au

Train services have resumed between Box Hill and Camberwell railway stations following extensive level crossing removal works on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines.

The State Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project has removed the crossings on Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert and Union Road, Surrey Hills, with trains now running underneath both roads through a new rail trench.

The works involved permanently closing the Mont Albert and Surrey Hills railway stations, and building a new Union railway station with entrances at Montrose Street, Lorne Parade Reserve and Mont Albert Road. Council acknowledges the disruption and continues to advocate to the LXRP on behalf of residents and businesses, as the project will continue for many months. Works will continue into spring on station car parks, open spaces, landscaping and other finishing touches, including the creation of a public plaza featuring restored buildings from the old Mont Albert railway station.

The completion date for the plaza will be confirmed by LXRP. Once completed, Council will take ownership of the refurbished old station building which is intended to become a destination within Mont Albert Village. The services to operate at the building will be announced in the near future.

Prepare for temporary closures as we upgrade Aqualink Box Hill

Council is forging ahead with the third and final stage of the retiling project at Aqualink Box Hill. This will ensure its facilities remain in good shape for years to come.

From Monday 26 June, we have scheduled the following works and these areas will be closed:

▪ Warm water pool, spa and sauna: Until Wednesday 5 July.

▪ Unisex / accessible change rooms in the warm water pool area: Until Friday 14 July.

▪ Group change rooms outside the warm water pool: Until Sunday 16 July.

▪ Indoor pool (25m pool, dive pool and learn to swim pool): Until Sunday 1 October.

L For more information and answers to all your questions regarding the project, visit: www.aqualink.com.au/pool-retiling

Meet Michelle Eeles, one of Council’s community laws officers who is also a proud Whitehorse resident.

Michelle has been working in Council’s Community Safety department for six years and helps educate locals about the things they can and can’t do in line with local laws. Her role helps ensure Whitehorse remains a clean, comfortable and accessible part of Melbourne for everyone who lives here.

And Michelle is keen to emphasise that she and her fellow community laws officers aren’t focused on tracking down and penalising those who are caught doing the wrong thing.