JJ Holland Park is home to three sports fields (#1 Oval, #2 Oval, and the synthetic pitch). Each of these fields has high levels of sport and recreation activity by local sports clubs and activity groups.

We know from neighbourhood surveys that spaces for recreation and play in Kensington are valuable to residents and that improvements to JJ Holland Park for sport and recreation have been requested.

During the identification phase of the project, we wanted to ask the local community about the installation of new LED lights at #2 Oval to provide an additional venue for local clubs to train and play at night. We also investigated the installation of a new LED scoreboard at #1 Oval.

#1 Oval and the synthetic pitch already have lights and are well used throughout the year.

Sports lighting enables extra participation opportunities by allowing the fields to be used at night, during winter. Modern scoreboards greatly enhance the community sport experience for participants, spectators and club volunteers.

A survey was made available on Participate Melbourne for four weeks between December 13 2024 to January 13 2025, and was accompanied by a map showing the location of proposed infrastructure.

A letter was sent to nearby residents notifying them of the project with an invitation to provide feedback. There was also an email address provided for people to contact if required.

The simple survey consisted of four questions:

• Do you support the installation of new LED sports lighting at #2 Oval?
• If you have any other feedback about the proposed new sports lighting please provide it here.
• Do you support the installation of a new LED scoreboard at #1 Oval?
• If you have any other feedback about the proposed new scoreboard please provide it here.

The survey had 396 responses.

• 97% were supportive of the installation of sports lighting.
• 3% were not supportive of the installation of sports lighting.
• 46% left a comment about sports lighting.
• 97% were supportive of the installation of an LED scoreboard.
• 3% were not supportive of the installation of an LED scoreboard.
• 26% left a comment about a scoreboard.

Community sport

• The overwhelming majority of comments received (73%) referred to infrastructure being needed to facilitate more people playing sport and address the overcrowding currently being felt.
• Many comments advocate for better lighting to accommodate growing participation in sports by children and women.
• General sentiment was expressed about the desire to create equitable access to facilities for the different user groups.

Safety and security

• 56% of comments referred to lights contributing to feelings of safety at night.
• Concerns were raised about visibility in the park at night currently.
• Protection for women, children, and the broader community using the park after dark was commonly mentioned.

Concerns about light pollution

• 3% of respondents were not supportive of additional lights due potential light spill, glare or timing.
• There were comments about the impact of brighter lights on local wildlife and nearby residents, even by respondents who supported the installation of new lights.
• Calls were made for careful consideration of timing, shielding, and positioning of lights to mitigate negative effects.

As a result of the overwhelming support and funding acquired from the Victorian Government, City of Melbourne will move forward with delivering the project.

Once a contractor is appointed, we will be able to share more details about the timing of the work.