The Victorian State Government and the Western Bulldogs this week announced a significant project milestone for the first phase of the redevelopment of Eureka Stadium in Ballarat.

Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, joined Western Bulldogs President, Peter Gordon, Ballarat Mayor, Des Hudson, and local members Geoff Howard and Sharon Knight at the Stadium on Wednesday to announce the start of community consultation on the $15 million project and unveil concept designs for the first phase of the redevelopment as part of the Master Plan for the precinct.

The draft design will be available to Ballarat residents and groups at an information session in December, and will then head to the Minister for Planning for approval, before construction is expected to commence in 2016.

The announcement brings the Club's plans to bring AFL games to Ballarat one step closer.

Bulldogs President Peter Gordon said he was excited about the Clubs plans to continue to build an enduring relationship with Ballarat.

"It is great to bring AFL football to the people of Ballarat, it is great to grow our Club into this region, it is great for tourism, it is providing jobs, there are so many good elements to this."

"It is a win-win situation, everyone is a winner".

Works have already begun on the redevelopment, which include:

  • Replacing and improving the playing surface.
  • Installing watering and drainage systems.
  • Reducing the oval size to be the same as Etihad Stadium, and making more room for proposed grandstands and match day facilities.
  • Upgrading change-rooms and match day facilities to AFL standard.
  • Upgrading stadium seating, providing public shelters, toilets for all-abilities access, catering and food beverage facilities and ticketing infrastructure.
  • Improving lighting around the main oval and providing a video and electronic scoreboard.

The first phase of the revitalised precinct will deliver over 5,000 undercover seats, and a total stadium capacity of over 11,000 spectators.

Melbourne Architectural firm Peddle Thorp Architects have been appointed as the lead architect to deliver the project.