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Stage 1 of the redevelopment is scheduled to commence in May 2025.

• Stage 1 of the Punt Road Oval redevelopment will include the construction of the new Jack Dyer Stand, a three-level underground car park as well as state-of-the-art facilities for our female athletes.
• Punt Road Oval itself will be realigned and reshaped, making it the same size as the MCG. Spectator amenities will be improved, providing greater capacity and a more comfortable experience to watch our AFLW and VFL games.

• Built Evirons has been appointed as builder with Stage 1 of the project expected to be completed by mid-2027.

• Richmond will seek to secure the remaining funding to enable Stage 2 of the redevelopment. If Stage 2 is undertaken, the building timetable will also allow for Stage 2 to be completed by mid-2027. The Club is continuing to work with stakeholders, major supporters and our members and fans to build our financial strength to ensure we get the project completed in its entirety.

• The William Cooper Centre will be the name given to community space within the new Jack Dyer Stand, not the facility itself. We are a purpose-based Club, and this component is central to the new development.
• Given our commitment to Indigenous Australia and Reconciliation we feel it is appropriate to honour William Cooper - an aboriginal man that did so much to fight injustice. The family are thrilled with the decision – particularly our former player Nathan Drummond as William Cooper was his great, great grandfather.

• The playing surface of Punt Road Oval needs to be re-sized to ensure we can properly prepare our athletes to give them the best chance of success on-field. We can’t accommodate that change and retain the current Jack Dyer Stand. 
• Beyond that, the cost of re-furbishing the existing structure to make it fit-for-purpose is simply not viable. The Club needs to use every inch of its existing footprint as efficiently as possible to ensure Richmond Football Club can remain in Richmond.   

Site Maintenance and Cleaning

• Each area of the redevelopment will be maintained in a clean and tidy manner. Cleaning will be undertaken progressively and by the builder to maintain standards. Waste material will be deposited in bins provided for this purpose.
• Street sweeping of roads and footpaths will be carried out on an as required basis. A truck washdown bay will be provided to minimise the transfer of dust and dirt to surrounding roads. In addition to this, street sweeping will occur at the site entry crossover and footpath on a regular basis to ensure pedestrians are not impacted by any built up dust and dirt. If required the street sweeping will also be undertaken on surrounding roads, noting this would be done at suitable time to not impact traffic during peak periods.

Minimising Disruptions

• Richmond together with Built Environs are committed to minimising disruption during works, with measures in place to manage dust, noise and vibration. This includes watering down stockpiles, installing misting at key points, and using truck wash facilities to prevent dust leaving the site. Temporary fencing will be covered to help contain dust, and allAll workers will be reminded to keep noise to a minimum, especially on arrival. We’ll also provide advance notice of any particularly noisy activities to keep local residents and park users informed.

Work Hours

• Work hours will be in accordance with City of Melbourne Code of Practice for Building, Construction and Works as follows:

• • 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and
  • 8am to 3pm on Saturday.
  • Any works outside these times will require an Out of Hours permit.

As part of the of the Punt Road Oval Redevelopment, there will be vegetation works within Yarra Park. These works are necessary to enable the reconstruction of the Jack Dyer Stand and the creation of new community facilities that will serve both the Club and broader public.

We acknowledge that any change to the park’s landscape is deeply felt by the community. Richmond Football Club is committed to delivering this project with care, transparency and in alignment with the Yarra Park Landscape Master Plan and Tree Strategy.

To accommodate the Punt Rod Oval Redevelopment 51 trees will need to be removed. Over the course of the project these trees will be replaced with 60 advanced new trees. Many of the trees being removed have been assessed by arborists to be in poor health.

All existing trees within the redevelopment area have been professionally assessed by TreeLogic, the arborists who also contributed to the broader Yarra Park strategy. Based on findings:

• 51 trees will be removed, only those located within or directly adjacent to the construction footprint.
• All trees south of AFL Walk and north of Marathon Way will be retained, with the exception of a Sugar Gum in severe decline.
• Five mature landmark trees and several other healthy specimens will be retained and carefully protected during works.
• The vast majority of the trees proposed for removal are:

• severely lopped or declining Elms designated for replacement

• isolated or immature native species in variable condition

• unsuccessful young plantings along Marathon Way

Tree removal will commence from Thursday 26 June, 2025 with an experienced wildlife handler on-site to safely relocate any animals that may be present.

The redevelopment will include the planting of 60 advanced new trees, aligned with the approved Yarra Park landscape vision. These trees will be:

• three to four metres tall at planting (200-litre pot size)
• species chosen to complement the traditional character of the park
• planted in structured avenues to enhance pedestrian connections, particularly along Marathon Way.

All new trees will benefit from a dedicated two-year maintenance period, followed by long-term care to ensure their healthy establishment and ongoing contribution to Yarra Park’s character.

Please see below a summary of the ecological and arborist assessments. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at: info@richmondfc.com.au.

• Bricks from the existing Jack Dyer Stand will be salvaged and built into the new facility.
• Existing plaques will also be incorporated in the new facility.

• The current land used for carparking behind the existing grandstand and alongside the MCG wicket nursery sits within Yarra Park and is covered by a registration in the Victorian Heritage Register.  In consultation with the we have successfully obtained a permit for the proposed works from Heritage Victoria.
• As part of the Planning Scheme Amendment approval, Local Heritage considerations in relation to the existing Jack Dyer stand were considered and approval was obtained from the Department of Transport and Planning.

• The site is recognised as being located within an Area of Cultural Heritage Sensitivity and there is a strong and ongoing recognition of the Yarra Park land as an important cultural location. The Club have liaised with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and our discussions in relation to the proposal have been positive. 
• Whilst the Club is not obliged to undertake a Cultural Heritage Management Plan, RFC has committed to the preparation of voluntary Cultural Heritage Management Plan, consistent with the values expressed in our Reconciliation Action Plan.

• The Club will continue to provide updates on the redevelopment as it progresses.
• For project related matters please contact info@richmondfc.com.au

• For any questions or concerns related to the project please contact info@richmondfc.com.au