Seacliff Community and Sporting Hub Redevelopment

With plans to include a 12-court regional tennis/netball facility and a state-of-the-art hockey pitch, council wished to maximise access for local clubs and the broader community to high-quality and attractive recreational facilities.

Tonkin oversaw construction of a new sporting hub and restoration works to transform a potentially hazardous landfill site into a safe precinct for local community.

Tonkin had a long history of involvement with the site, providing environmental assessments and advice to the City of Holdfast Bay, and oversight services for the construction of the sporting hub.

Written reports, photos and time-lapse videos were circulated to council to keep it informed on this complex and challenging project. The council’s website was employed to allow members of the community to track the works.

Creative solutions to address landfill gas and site contamination were built into the planning and construction, while a stormwater solution was required to restrict the flow from additional runoff due to the new hard surface.

The previous facility was demolished to make way for car parking, with asbestos from the old clubhouse safely removed from the site.

Tonkin developed and guided a series of thoughtful solutions to the challenges posed by the site’s previous use to provide a safe, long-lasting and attractive amenity for the local community.

Oversized material was relocated and contaminated material was kept at deeper levels within the earthworks, realising a major cost saving. Excavated clay was used as a diffusive barrier to reduce the chance of landfill gas emission. The earthworks were performed with no noise, dust or water contaminants leaving the site, and without affecting workers and the general public.

The new community centre was located between the hockey pitch and tennis courts, but the bearing capacity of the underlying waste material in the landfill was poor. To overcome this, a suspended slab on piles and beams was designed. Papers regarding the project’s environmental issues, including landfill gas, waste management, groundwater contamination and soil contamination, were presented at both national and international conferences.

A poorly used reserve has been transformed into a first class precinct that will be shared and safely enjoyed by the local community for years to come, with the capacity to accommodate more club users due to the improved facilities.

Tonkin delivered the project on time and within budget. The works have already resulted in an increase in players and social users of the facilities. Feedback on the courts and hockey surface has been overwhelmingly positive.

"A strong relationship was forged, providing Council with immediate access to Tonkin's project management and administration skills."

- Rajiv Mouveri, Assets and Facilities Manager