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A Central Victorian netball facility described as a "mouldy sheep shed" has been closed by the local council after an air quality assessment.
The Kyneton Football Netball Club complained to the Macedon Ranges Shire Council about the recurring mould several times over the past year.
The council painted over the mould and installed fans before getting a professional in to determine if the facility at Kyneton Showgrounds was safe.
The director of assets and operations with the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Shane Walden, said an air quality assessment was conducted and a hygienist report was done before council decided to close the facility on Wednesday.
"Council closed the change room facilities as a precaution," he said.
"Player and community safety is a priority for council and we have acted swiftly to close the facility and explore alternative options."
The ABC asked for the result of the air quality assessment and hygienist report, which the council refused.
It also declined to explain what the report said about the quality of the air in the facility.
Concern mould could have caused health problems
The netballers have been getting changed in the sheep pavilion for around 10 years.
The ABC understands some players have expressed concerns about the mould exposure's impact on their health.
Kyneton Football Netball Club netball director Loryn Savoia said she was relieved to hear the facility will be closed.
"It's been set up as a dual purpose site. It is primarily a sheep pavilion that has been fitted out for our use," she said.
"It's certainly not fit for purpose.
"I'm relieved that action has been taken and now we're looking forward to a suitable facility being provided for us."
Statewide audit of netball facilities underway
Across the state there are several football netball clubs with average or no netball change rooms.
Netball Victoria has commenced a new tracking and auditing system, with a statewide audit of community facilities underway and expected to be complete by mid-2024.
A statewide facilities strategy is due to be released at the end of the year.
In welcome news for the club, the Macedon Ranges Shire Council will install a temporary change room facility for Kyneton netballers next month, ahead of a planned redevelopment.
"We're very happy. Now the girls get somewhere safe and warm while the new project is progressing," said Kyneton Football Netball Club president Hayden Evans.
"The girls will have somewhere by mid-May or late May."
In the meantime, the netballers will need to get changed in junior football facilities on the showgrounds' second oval, 600 metres away from the netball court.
A planned redevelopment of the Kyneton Showgrounds includes new netball courts and new netball change rooms.
The club said it expected works to start on the upgrade by the end of this year.
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