The City of Stonnington is seeking to engage a suitably qualified consultant with sports and recreation planning, urban design planning, and infrastructure development expertise to lead the design of an extensive sports and recreation plan for the Sir Zelman Cowan Reserves. Expected project timeline is 12 months.

An online information session about the project will be held on the Wednesday 23rd April 2025 at 2pm, to attend please contact adean@stonnington.vic.gov.au.

The plan will deliver conceptual site designs and layouts across Sir Zelman’s reserves and pavilions, incorporating sports fields, storm water harvesting, irrigation, drainage, floodlights, supporting infrastructure, safety measures, and integration with the Gardiner Creek Master Plan. Pavilion and amenity upgrade recommendations will address service levels, size, fit-out, additional provisions, access, and parking improvements.

The project includes extensive internal and external stakeholder engagement, involving structured workshops with Council departments, targeted community surveys, and intercept surveys at Sir Zelman Reserve. Dedicated workshops will engage sports clubs, special interest groups, and associations such as First Peoples, Vision Australia, the Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) Collaboration, the Yarra Collaboration Committee, and Kooyong Tennis. Consultants will provide all necessary materials, facilitate these sessions, and produce detailed reports outlining key insights, issues, and recommended solutions. Stakeholders will receive clear, regular updates, supported by visual aids, for ongoing transparency and informed review by Council executives and councillors.

The plan includes a 10-year Implementation Plan to be presented to Council, sports clubs, and the community for feedback. Consultants will provide engagement collateral and respond to community and Council queries. Following feedback, the final high-quality report, incorporating graphic design, will be delivered, along with a formal visual presentation to Council executives and managers