11/05/2026
Hello all current and past members of Sunshine park and anyone who has visited or played at our club
It is with disappointment I advise that Brimbank Council has again omitted funds for the new clubrooms from the 2026-27 draft budget. There is a small window of opportunity to get some funding into the 2026-27 budget to get this project started.
If you can spare the time to submit a response to Brimbank council via this link
https://yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au/draft-annual-action-plan-and-budget-2026-2027
Below is a copy of an email we have sent to brimbank council feel free to use any part of it in your response to brimbank
Brimbank City Council - Sunshine Park Tennis Club Pavilion Development
7th May 2026
Chief Executive Officer Brimbank City Council and Councillors
Re: Sunshine Park Tennis Club Pavilion Redevelopment - Chronological Record and Request for Immediate Action
To whom it may concern,
I write on behalf of Sunshine Park Tennis Club to formally present a comprehensive, chronological account of the events relating to the proposed pavilion redevelopment at JR Parsons Reserve. This letter also outlines the Club's serious concerns regarding repeated delays, inconsistent communication, and the continued omission of the project from successive Council budgets despite years of planning, consultation, and Council‑initiated design work.
Chronological Summary of Events
2018-2019: Initial Planning and Community Consultation
Oct-Dec 2018: Initial discussions regarding facilities development commenced.
Feb 2019: Community consultations held regarding JR Parsons Reserve.
27 Mar 2019: Council's vision for the reserve presented to clubs at Council Chambers by Simon Leisure.
Jul 2019: Key stakeholder feedback period opened.
Nov 2019: Draft plan approved by Council.
2020: COVID‑19 Disruption
2020: Funding for the project was lost due to COVID‑related expenditure reallocations.
2022: Project Re‑activation and Revised Timelines
3 Mar 2022: Council advised that design work would occur in 2022/23, with construction planned for 2023/24 and 2024/25.
26 Aug 2022: Council recommenced facility audits post‑COVID.
29 Aug 2022: Inside Edge commenced audit and assessment processes.
2023: Design Progress and Club Feedback
18 May 2023: Sunshine Park Tennis Club provided formal feedback to Council regarding allocation of 2023-24 budget funds for preliminary works on both the tennis and cricket/football pavilions.
19 May 2023: Council confirmed that contracts for pavilion design had been awarded and design work had commenced.
31 Aug 2023: Council met with Sunshine Park Tennis Club to review and discuss pavilion plans.
14 Sep 2023: Council agreed to multiple plan amendments following detailed club feedback, including:
Exclusive DDA‑compliant toilet access for tennis patrons.
Public DDA‑compliant toilet to be located at the cricket/football pavilion.
Retention of the preferred main entrance location.
Further review of fencing, first aid room location, community storage options, building shape, shade structures, and temporary facilities during construction.
Council confirmed extended roof lines for shade and committed to investigating additional design suggestions.
2024: Funding Withdrawal and Community Advocacy
21 Apr 2024: Pavilion funding withdrawn from the 2024-25 budget without prior notice.
22 Apr 2024: Sunshine Park Tennis Club (supported by Grand United Cricket Club) wrote to Council expressing profound disappointment and requesting an urgent meeting prior to adoption of the Draft Annual Budget 2024-25.
14 May 2024: Sunshine Park Tennis Club lodged a formal submission via Council's "Have Your Say" platform regarding the draft budget.
21 May 2024: A petition with 380 signatures was submitted to Council requesting reinstatement of pavilion funding. Council advised the matter would be reviewed in June 2024.
2025: Cricket Pavilion Funded, Tennis Pavilion Deferred Again
2 Jun 2025: Grand United Cricket pavilion added to the 2025-26 budget; the Tennis pavilion omitted.
2 Jun 2025: Council advised that works on the Cricket pavilion would commence July/August 2025.
30 Jul 2025: Council advised that funding for the Tennis pavilion was "anticipated" for the 2026-27 budget.
2026: Pavilion Omitted Yet Again
23 Apr 2026: Sunshine Park Tennis Club pavilion again omitted from the Brimbank Council budget.
Current Position
After eight years of engagement, planning, consultation, design work, and repeated assurances from Council, Sunshine Park Tennis Club remains without:
A confirmed construction timeline
A committed budget allocation
A clear scope of works
A project manager or consistent point of contact
Any certainty regarding the future of the pavilion redevelopment
Meanwhile, the cricket pavilion has progressed to construction, despite both projects being part of the same reserve redevelopment plan and following the same consultation and design processes.
The ongoing delays have significantly impacted the Club's ability to plan competitions, coaching programs, community events, and long‑term facility management. The existing pavilion continues to deteriorate and no longer meets the needs of our members, visitors, or the broader community.
Request for Immediate Action
Sunshine Park Tennis Club formally requests:
A written update on the status of the pavilion redevelopment.
A confirmed and binding timeline for tender, and construction.
Clear confirmation of budget allocation for the project.
A designated Council officer as the Club's primary point of contact.
A formal meeting with Council representatives within 15 days to address the ongoing delays and establish a transparent path forward.
The Club has acted in good faith throughout this entire process. We now require Council to demonstrate the same commitment to transparency, accountability, and community service.
We look forward to your prompt and substantive response.
We’d love to hear from you! If you live, work, or spend time in Brimbank, this is your chance to help shape the future of our city.
