Council bid to attract government funding will see $1 million shaved off Warrnambool's Briely hub plans
Councillors hope a smaller footprint and lower cost will help keep the key project alive after repeated rejections.
Zara Cuthbertson
August 07, 2025
Warrnambool City Council has pared down plans for the long-anticipated Brierly Sports and Community hub, voting unanimously to cut nearly 300 square metres from the design in a bid to save over $1 million and improve the project's chances of securing government funding.
The hub – which would adjoin the reserve at Moore Street in the city’s northeast – remains a cornerstone of the broader Brierly Reserve redevelopment, aimed at supporting the growing north Warrnambool community.
An artist’s concept of the original community hub plans. Image credit: Warrnambool City Council
New cricket and soccer pitches were completed and opened to the public in February as part of Stage 1 of the project.
The Warrnambool Rangers Football Club, which uses the soccer pitches, currently has over 200 registered players across its junior and senior teams.
The Brierly Christ Church Cricket Club also has over 200 registered players.
According to an advocacy document published by the council in 2024, both sporting clubs have reported female players avoiding use of the current changerooms as the current temporary facility has just one bathroom for both male and female participants.
Despite the community need, council CEO Andrew Mason said repeated attempts to attract state and federal investment had come up short.
“We've been unsuccessful in obtaining particularly state and federal government funding for this project,” Mason said at Monday night’s council meeting.
“We’ve attempted to try and reduce the size and therefore cost of the building to make it hopefully more likely to receive that much needed funding.”
The revised layout retains the hub’s essential features but trims the original $14.6 million price tag — which included a $3 million council contribution.
“It’s not a radical review or change,” Mason said. “But one we think, by re-pitching it and resizing it, we can make more likely to get funding support.”
Councillor Billy Edis said the updated proposal was well-timed, with the 2026 Victorian state election looming.
“By reducing by almost 300 square metres in total of the building, it's going to reduce costs up to over a million dollars in today’s market,” he said.
Councillor Matt Walsh backed the adjustment, calling it “a good opportunity to rightsize the project” and saying the facility was one the town “really need[s]”.
“We’re in a very competitive market in terms of seeking funding from both the state and federal government.”
Header image: Warrnambool City Council