by Emma Ballingall

Less than four years after undergoing a $700,000 surface upgrade, the Neerim South oval requires "a full redesign and rebuild."

Baw Baw Shire community infrastructure director Ben Wood said minor repairs or upgrades would not rectify issues with the oval's current drainage system.
"A full design and rebuild of the oval is required to achieve the required outcomes," Mr Wood confirmed.
Neerim South Recreation Reserve committee of management president Gordon Lockett said they were advised of the situation at a recent meeting.
Mr Lockett said the meeting was told a rebuild would be similar to that currently being undertaken at Drouin Recreation Reserve, costing $3.3 million and making the oval unavailable for at least one football season.
The surface upgrade works were part of an overall $1.3 million project that began in January 2020 and opened in May 2021.
Mr Lockett said the committee first raised concerns about the oval surface and drainage with council two years ago.
He said they were gobsmacked when shire staff attended a recent meeting and advised of the drainage problems.
"I give the shire credit, they've come out on the front foot," Mr Lockett said.
He said the shire had increased maintenance and were doing all it could "to keep the surface as good as they can get it", adding "it looks marvellous now."
Mr Lockett said the original resurfacing occurred during COVID closures and had little impact on clubs. After an "awesome" first year, he said the oval had deteriorated every year since. However, their concerns were put down to overuse.
This footy season, Mr Lockett said "it was evident that something was wrong."
He said heavy rain one afternoon left the oval looking "like a lake" and "water dribbling into drains".
"They (council) realised then they had a problem."
Whilst a rebuild would inconvenience clubs, Mr Lockett said it would result in Neerim South gaining a quality playing surface.
Mr Wood said the drainage performance issues forced council to assess the situation and options available.
"Council have engaged consultants to complete an oval reconstruction design - from concept through to detailed design - to better understand costs and examine options for a perched water table system," he said.
He said it was vital to undertake the work to assist with drainage and enhance the oval's long-term performance.
Asked if council would qualify for or seek some form of reimbursement for the original works, Mr Wood said "council's primary focus is understanding the options to correct the current situation."
He said council had kept "a very open and transparent line of communication" with recreation reserve users.
The full reconstruction of the oval is currently unbudgeted, he said. Any decision on oval works would need to be made by councillors.