A SEISMIC in-principal agreement from Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) and Melbourne Victory has proposed a high-performance elite facility to be built in Beveridge.
Known as ‘Melbourne Victory’s Northern Campus’, construction for the proposed $35 plus million facility—the first national domestic sporting team build in the area—is expected to begin in early 2026.
A raft of announcements relating to the proposed development were released on February 14, with the multi-sport hub set to include three full-sized football pitches, four synthetic small-sided football pitches, an open space area with playgrounds and picnic facilities, a new state-of-the-art pavilion boasting a cafe and function spaces, and dedicated recovery facilities.
Located on the corner of Lithgow Street and Patterson Road, the facility would also provide additional ammunition for Victory’s women’s and academy teams as they continue to make inroads in the state’s soccer arms race, particularly with big investments made to A-League rivals Melbourne City and Western United.
MSC Mayor Councillor John Dougall confirmed the announcement was made off the back of 12 months of negotiations between council and Melbourne Victory.
“MSC has been working with Melbourne Victory on this proposed project for the past 12 months,” he said.
“Council was aware that Melbourne Victory was looking to have a presence outside Melbourne, and approached them with the potential project.
“This development represents an exciting opportunity to bring elite facilities to Mitchell Shire, while also ensuring strong community benefits.
“The focus has been on creating a facility that not only meets high-performance training needs, but also provides new opportunities for local clubs, aspiring athletes, and community sports participation.”
Cr Dougall confirmed that local sporting clubs, such as the nearby Mitchell Rangers Soccer Club, could stand to benefit from the new facility.
“The proposed development is a significant investment in the future of Beveridge and the wider Mitchell Shire community,” he said.
“While Melbourne Victory could use the facility as a high-performance training hub, the inclusion of community-accessible fields, a pavilion with function spaces, a cafe, and recreational areas ensures that the entire community benefits.
“Beyond sport, the facility could provide opportunities for local clubs to form and grow, helping to build grassroots participation.
“We look forward to hearing feedback from the community and local sports organisations on how this development can best support grassroots sport in the region.”
Both MSC and Melbourne Victory propose to contribute resources into the facility if and when it is constructed, with Cr Dougall confirming that the costs and contributions were still yet to be determined.
“The exact costings of the project and contributions from all parties are still being worked through as part of the planning process,” he said.
“Once community consultation is complete and feedback has been considered, more information about council’s contributions and overall funding arrangements will be made available.”
While the initial community consultation had been largely positive according to Cr Dougall, he noted that residents had expressed concerns about the surrounding area’s poor road conditions, and the potential of increased traffic in the wake of the large announcement.
“Feedback for the announcement has been positive so far, with many residents excited about the opportunities this development will bring,” he said.
“At the same time, we acknowledge the community’s concerns about road conditions, particularly around Beveridge, and we are working hard to address them.
“We are working with local developers and the Department of Transport and Planning, who manage this interchange, for road treatment works at the corner of Lithgow Street and the Old Hume Highway to help congestion concerns, with the goal of completing these works this year.
“Additionally, we are advocating and again working with local developers to introduce a roundabout on the western side of Lithgow Street and the Hume Freeway interchange within the next 12 to 24 months.
“We will also continue to advocate to the State Government for the timely delivery of the Camerons Lane Interchange.
“We understand that roads and infrastructure remain a top priority for residents, and we will continue to advocate for further investment to ensure our growing community has the transport links it needs.
“This development is part of a broader plan to ensure Beveridge has high-quality facilities and infrastructure as the population continues to grow.”
Consultation of the draft master plan is now open, and will close March 24. To provide feedback, visit the Engaging Mitchell Shire website at https://engagingmitchellshire.com/beveridge-central-active-open-space-master-plan.
