AFTER years of planning and campaigning, the first visible signs of the Melville Oval redevelopment took place with the football changerooms reduced to a pile of rubble.

Friday saw the project push ahead with the demolition of the building housing the two football changerooms, umpires room and canteen, with more work on the site happening earlier this week.

With demolition and removal slated to be finished by the end of the month, it will be a quick turnaround with works getting underway in early September to prepare for the new netball courts.

Southern Grampians Shire Council mayor, David Robertson said many residents he’d spoken to had indicated they were pleased to see the much-anticipated project now underway.

“The new facilities, including a full refurbishment under the grandstand, will result in a significant improvement for the reserve’s user groups and broader community,” he said.

The mayor also reminded the community that Council was accepting public feedback until August 12 regarding the proposed partial road closure at Market Place.

“If residents have any thoughts around this proposal, they are invited to put them in writing, addressed to the CEO,” he said.

The public is encouraged to follow any safety signage at the site for the duration of the project.

It comes as the Hamilton Kangaroos are preparing for their first football game away from Melville Oval, as they host Koroit at Dunkeld Recreation Reserve in round 16 of the Hampden Football Netball League.