Reserve Road in Camberwell will remain temporarily closed while we continue to develop the Camberwell Civic Park Master Plan. The decision was made at a Services Delegated Committee meeting on 8 September following an initial trial closure period and careful consideration of community feedback.

Background

In December 2024, Council made the decision to temporarily close a section of Reserve Road due to safety concerns for children crossing to access the 2 campuses of Camberwell Primary School. (You can view the minutes from the Council meeting at the bottom of this page.) In November 2024 there had been a near miss between a vehicle and a student outside the school and, in a separate incident, a vehicle hit the school fence. 

Council decided to temporarily close Reserve Road before community consultation to immediately address the safety risks raised by the school. Once closed, council officers met with impacted stakeholders and community groups to discuss their concerns and reviewed their submissions. 

Modifications to the temporary road closure were implemented on 4 April 2025 to address access issues for Our Lady of Victories Basilica Catholic church. More parking bays were provided in Reserve Road. 

Parking surveys were undertaken in August 2025, which showed there was adequate parking capacity within the precinct with the closed section of the road in place.

After considering community feedback and an 8-month trial period, Council at its meeting of 8 September 2025, decided to keep Reserve Road in Camberwell temporarily closed while we continue developing the Camberwell Civic Park Master Plan. 

Parking changes

The closure of this section of road removed 43 parking bays. There are now 36 parking spaces on Reserve Road, including 13 bays at the Camberwell Road end and 23 at the Burke Road end (inclusive of disability parking). 

Access to the rear car parks of the Uniting Church and Our Lady of Victories Basilica remain, along with the school’s maintenance access. 

When the section of the road was temporarily closed in early 2025, changes to parking restrictions were made along sections of Camberwell Road, Burke Road and Inglesby Road to provide alternate parking options. These changes continue to apply as follows.

Camberwell Road

On the school side of Camberwell Road we've introduced 3-hour parking (previously 1 hour) with 5-minute and 10-minute parking during school drop-off and pick-up periods. We've removed the fees that previously applied to parking here. 

Burke Road

• We've removed fees from the 2-hour zone on the east side of Burke Road, between St John’s Anglican Church and Reserve Road.
• We've introduced three 10-minute parking bays north of Reserve Road that operate between 3:00 and 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday.  
• Between Reserve Road and Inglesby Road, the all-day ticket parking on the east side of Burke Road along the Church has been converted to 3-hour parking. We've removed the fees that previously applied to parking here.
• We've introduced an additional 4 spaces (three 3-hour and one 10-minute space) where the former tram stop was located.

Inglesby Road

• During morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times, 5-minute parking will be in place in the 2-hour parking zone on the school side of Inglesby Road, from the school pedestrian crossing to the Council offices.
• Parking along the south side of Inglesby Road has not changed. It remains 1-hour parking zone during the week.

About the project

We’re redeveloping the pavilion at Highfield Park in Camberwell to provide a high-quality facility for our community and sports clubs. 

We’re doing this because the current pavilion building is in poor condition and does not have female-friendly change rooms, toilets and showers.

We’re investing $6.67 million into this pavilion redevelopment.

We’re also upgrading the lighting next to the pavilion and sportsground. You can read more about the lighting upgrade below.

Project status

The previous pavilion was demolished earlier this year and we’re on track to complete the new pavilion by early 2026 as planned.

The sports clubs who use the pavilion require temporary change rooms, toilets and storage during the construction period. These are being installed in part of the car park off Wyclif Drive. The toilets are for use by sports clubs and spectators on training and match days.

During construction:

• the pavilion and public toilet will be closed
• all other parts of Highfield Park will remain open, including the rest of the car park, both ovals and the playground
• the nearest public toilets are located at Cooper Reserve (about 1km away) and Wattle Park (about 1.8 km away).

As always, we aim to keep disruption to a minimum. Construction will happen on weekdays between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm. From time-to-time, works may occur on Saturdays between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm; however, this will be kept to a minimum.

We’re also upgrading the lighting next to Highfield Park pavilion and sportsground. Visit the Highfield Park lighting upgrade page to learn more.

Community consultation

From mid-February to mid-March 2024, we asked you for feedback on a draft design for the pavilion. Thank you to everyone who had their say. We received 46 responses, 72% of which were supportive of the draft design.

You can find out what our community told us, how their feedback shaped the final concept design, and view the final design on our Highfield Park pavilion redevelopment consultation page. 

Our final design

We’ve developed a new split-level building design which:

• is accessible
• has improved functionality
• creates a better connection between the north and south ovals. 

The lower level sits in line with the southern oval, and the upper level sits at road level with Wyclif Drive, facing the northern oval. The height of the split-level building is about 3.5m above car park level. This is an increase of about 2m above the current building height.

The new changerooms provide better facilities for women and girls to encourage more female participation in sport. 

These upgrades are in line with our Development and Funding of Community Pavilions – Sport and Recreation Policy and our Boroondara Community Plan. 

Key features of the new pavilion include:

• 4 unisex change rooms with toilets and showers
• 2 umpires’ rooms
• an accessible public toilet that can be accessed externally by the community
• an internal lift and stairwell
• a first aid room
• external building and path lighting to improve safety
• flexible social room/multi-purpose space with storage
• kitchen/kiosk with internal and external counter for serving food
• an extended sheltered viewing area at the front of the pavilion
• glazing on the west-facing windows which meets best practice standards to limit sun impact
• drinking fountains and dog water tap, bicycle hoops, bench seat and marked pedestrian pathway in front of the upper-level change rooms
• a ramp to improve external access to the pavilion
• accessible car parks
• solar PV system.

We updated the design in late 2025 to improve spectator viewing. It now includes: 

• extra viewing platforms
• more seating
• improved safety lighting
• accessible ramps and stairs.

These changes fit within the current project budget and will not delay the project.

Tree works

We’ve worked closely with our architect to minimise any impact the new building would have on the surrounding trees, particularly the 4 significant trees within close proximity. 

However, to accommodate the larger pavilion and provide an accessible ramp down to the southern oval, 6 other trees deemed to be of low to moderate value need to be removed. 

We will offset these by planting new trees on-site.

Timeline

More information

To receive updates about this project, visit our Highfield Park pavilion redevelopment consultation page and select 'Follow' at the top of the page.

For more information about construction, contact our Sport and Recreation team on (03) 9278 4444 or [email protected].

Venue accessibility

• Accessible toilets are available at the Trumper Street end of the sportsground.
• Accessible parking is available in the sportsground pavilion carpark located off Camberwell Road.

Sports schedule

The summer season runs from 1 October 2025 to 30 March 2026.

Below is the schedule for the summer season at Camberwell Sportsground.

* Our Organised Sport Seasonal Allocation Policy allows for night matches during the summer season at pre-approved sportsgrounds, including this one. Matches will end by 9:30 pm (9:00 pm on Sundays). To find out more, please call our Sport and Recreation Team on (03) 9278 4797 or email [email protected].

Major planning changes proposed to meet housing targets

The Victorian Government has introduced major changes to planning in Victoria to deliver its Housing Statement and housing targets.

City of Boroondara recognises the need for more housing and some simplification of the planning system. We will continue our attempts to shape positive change and housing growth to best support our current and future community.

Council Officer reports at Council meetings

Since the Victorian Government began its Planning Reform Program, Council Officers have provided regular updates for Boroondara community members at public meetings that you can read below.

Since the Victorian Government began its Planning Reform Program, Council Officers have provided regular updates for Boroondara community members at public meetings that you can read below.

Discover Camberwell

Visit Camberwell – a vibrant destination in the City of Boroondara, just 10 km from Melbourne CBD. 

Camberwell Junction is the heart of the area, filled with bustling shops and eateries and host to the famous Camberwell Sunday Market and Camberwell Fresh Food Market. 

Explore cafes, restaurants, small shopping strips and charming heritage architecture in Camberwell's leafy streets. 

Spend time in Camberwell's beautiful parks and gardens, which are cared for year-round and include playgrounds, sports facilities and spaces for hire. 

Map of parks, gardens and playgrounds in Camberwell

Find parks, gardens and playgrounds near you to meet up with family and friends or get some exercise. If you'd like access to a public toilet, picnic shelter or barbecue, we've got you covered.