The Victorian Budget 2020/21 will include $36.6 million towards the $58 million project, which will further transform the home of the Bulldogs and cater for the needs of sports fans and the wider community in Melbourne’s west.

The project, which will also include a significant funding contribution from the Western Bulldogs, will build a new EJ Whitten Stand with improved seating, new club administration space and a function area available to the community.

There will be space to expand the Bulldogs’ Community Foundation programs, including the highly successful Sons and Daughters of the West which tackles physical and mental health issues in the community.

There will also be refurbished training facilities for the Bulldogs’ men’s and women’s teams – continuing to level the playing field for professional women's sport – a new match-day pavilion with food and beverage facilities and other amenities, and a refurbished entry building.

The project will also incorporate broadcast-quality lights, reducing the reliance on temporary infrastructure and ensuring prime-time AFLW matches can be televised in high definition.

The Victorian Government provided $5 million to upgrade facilities at Whitten Oval to AFLW standard in the Victorian Budget 2018/19.

Last year’s Budget invested a further $1 million for the club to undertake detailed planning for this project. The

Western Bulldogs have submitted plans for the development to Maribyrnong City Council which are currently under consideration.