The Port MacDonnell Netball Club will bring new life to its facilities with a major upgrade that will transform the site into a multi-use netball and tennis complex for the community to enjoy year-round.


Supported by funding from the Grant District Council, the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing’s Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program, a Bendigo Bank Community Grant and the netball club’s own fundraising efforts, the project will deliver a brand new dual-line netball and tennis court, alongside a grassed open space for players, families and visitors.


Port MacDonnell Netball Club Vice President Narelle Lewis said the project has been in the pipeline for over a decade with club members and volunteers continuously working hard to advocate and fundraise for the improved facilities.


“The redevelopment project will help the club to develop our junior players by giving the juniors more opportunities to train and play longer as we will have the extra court and facilities for them to be able to, instead of them having shorter trainings and games due to our competitive grades needing the courts,” Mrs Lewis said.


“We are most excited to see the project complete as this has been many years in the making and to watch our players enjoy this new space and develop their skills and abilities to hopefully help make our club successful on court.


“Without the support from all of our partners this project simply would not be possible.”


Grant Mayor Kylie Boston said activating the space aligned with objectives in the Port MacDonnell Urban Design Framework and Master Plan.


“This redevelopment will create more opportunities for people of all ages to be active and involved in community sport, while also enhancing the space in terms of usability and safety,” Mayor Boston said.


“It is a great example of what can be achieved when local clubs, council and funding partners work together for the benefit of the whole community. I congratulate the netball club for their efforts to attract needed funding.”


The redevelopment works will also involve local contractors removing the existing four deteriorated tennis courts, ageing wire fencing surrounding the site and seven of the eighteen Norfolk Island Pine trees along the eastern side of the facility, as approved by council in September 2021.


The council has committed to planting at least seven replacement trees in Port MacDonnell. A consultation process will be undertaken in the coming months to identify suitable planting locations with local community input. 


Grant chief executive Darryl Whicker said the works have been carefully planned to make the most of existing resources and contribute to council’s sustainability goals.


“Concrete from the old courts will be recycled and reused within road bases across the district, while timber from the removed trees will be mulched and repurposed, and wire from the boundary fencing will be recycled through a local business,” Mr Whicker said.


“These practices not only reduce waste but also make sure local resources are recycled in ways that benefit our broader community.”


Removal works are scheduled to commence at the end of September 2025, with the project anticipated to be completed in February 2026.