Council endorses Alexandra Relief & Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plan

Council endorses Alexandra Relief & Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plan

Published on 05 March 2026

Murrindindi Shire Council has officially endorsed the Alexandra Community Relief & Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plan at its Scheduled Meeting on Wednesday 25 February 2026, confirming the project as a priority for advocacy ahead of the 2026 State Election.

The current Alexandra Community Leisure Centre has served the community since 1978 and plays an important role as both a recreation facility and a designated Emergency Relief Centre. However, the ageing building no longer meets contemporary accessibility, safety and emergency management standards.

Planning for the proposed redevelopment has been undertaken in partnership with Alexandra Secondary College, a key project partner that also co-funded the planning phase and would be a major user of the facility through school sport, health and wellbeing programs.

Portfolio Councillor for Economic Development, Local Jobs and Skills, Cr Sandice McAulay, said Council's endorsement strengthens advocacy efforts to secure investment in the facility.

"This endorsement sends a clear message that the Alexandra community and surrounding district need a modern, safe and accessible facility that can support everyday health and wellbeing and operate effectively as an Emergency Relief Centre when emergencies occur," Cr McAulay said.

"Murrindindi Shire has experienced significant fires and floods in recent years, including the devastating January 2026 bushfires. We need infrastructure that is built for today's challenges and ready for the future."

The Redevelopment Plan outlines a facility that would support both community use and emergency response, and could include:

• A full-sized indoor court that can double as an emergency shelter
• Flexible program rooms for community activities and emergency use
• A commercial kitchen to support relief centre operations
• Expanded gym and wellness areas
• Accessible and inclusive change rooms and amenities
• Improved parking, lighting and site access
• Sustainable design features to improve long-term resilience

The estimated cost of the redevelopment is $21.84 million.

Cr McAulay said the project would also deliver broader benefits for local jobs and the regional economy.

"A project of this scale supports employment during construction and strengthens our local economy through events, recreation and increased community activity," she said.

"It brings together education, health, emergency response and economic outcomes in one place, making it a strong candidate for government investment."

With Council's endorsement in place, advocacy will now focus on securing State and Commonwealth funding to progress the project beyond the planning stage.

The full Alexandra Community Relief & Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plan is available on Council's engagement platform theloop.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/draftACLC

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