Hawthorn Football Club’s new $30m Dingley base approved by Kingston Council

HAWTHORN’S plans for a new base in Dingley, including MCG and Etihad Stadium-sized playing fields, are a step closer after the council last night approved them.

An artist's impression of how Hawthorn FC's new training base at Dingley will look. Picture: Supplied

HAWTHORN Football Club’s plans for a 28ha headquarters at Dingley, including a museum and MCG and Etihad Stadium-sized playing fields, were approved last night by Kingston Council.

The Hawks are undertaking due diligence on the project, which the club says could be up to 10 years away.

The council approved the training and administration facility, bordered by Old Dandenong and Tootal roads, which is expected to house up to five ovals and a 1600sq m two-storey administration building.

An MCG-sized playing field is the centrepiece of the facility and will be next to an Etihad Stadium-sized floodlit oval with 250 tiered seats.

Related: Hawthorn moves closer to new $60m Dingley base

Related: Hawthorn Football Club lodges planning permit for new base at Dingley

The headquarters’ other ovals are set to be opened to the community for football programs and clinics.

Hawthorn’s new headquarters in Dingley will have room for plenty of silverware.

Plans lodged with Kingston Council show the administration building will over look the MCG-sized oval.

It will be made up of player training and recovery areas, offices and meeting rooms, a 150sq m cafe, a 180sq m retail shop and a museum.

Hawthorn have paid a deposit on the former landfill site, which is believed to be worth up to $8 million and could take up to $30 million to develop.

The Hawks’ 2015 annual report shows the club was given a $2 million injection for the project following a fundraising drive last year.

Plans for the site also include a 400-person function centre and more than 400 parking spaces.

Hawthorn’s development will span 28ha.

In line with the permit conditions, the council is recommending Hawthorn commence building by 2020 and complete the project by 2022.

The club has until December to complete its due diligence process — which will include an environmental audit of the land — before making a final decision to buy the site.

The plans include a Hawks shop.

Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox said the plans had been amended to appease local objectors.

“The proposed development include facilities to enable the club to attract and accommodate the best players, coaches and administrators,” he said.

“It also provides facilities to expand the club’s community activities.”

Mr Fox said the development did not include a gaming venue.

The administration building will also feature a Hawks museum.

“The club believes its presence within Dingley Village will bring about significant social and economic benefit to the region and community.”

He said the council’s decision to approve the development would form part of the club’s due diligence process.

Hawthorn’s new base is expected to cost almost $30m to develop.

Three objectors to the proposal now have 28 days to appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Meanwhile a planning application for the redevelopment of Moorabbin Oval by the St Kilda Football Club is set to be lodged with the council in coming weeks.