Leisure Strategy 2017-2027 Update
The Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s current Leisure Strategy was developed in 2006 and
has successfully guided Council’s priorities for sport and recreation provision over the last ten
years.
Council, in conjunction with Sport and Recreation Victoria is developing a new Leisure
Strategy for the next ten year period from 2017 to 2027. The Leisure Strategy is the
overarching strategic plan for Council’s role in the provision of recreational, physical activity
and sporting opportunities and facilities for residents and visitors. Other plans such as
aquatics, walking and cycling, open space, playground development and reserve master
plans provide for more detailed guidance.
Council along with other levels of government and the community all play a role in the
provision of sport and recreational opportunities because of the many individual and
community benefits. Participation in sport and recreation:
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Enhances community health and wellbeing.
Contributes to positive physical and mental health outcomes.
Adds to the culture, lifestyle and character of the region.
Reduces isolation, loneliness and alienation and enhances community
connectedness.
Promotes improvement to self-esteem and quality of life.
Facilitates events, tourism and economic activity.
To this stage Council has reviewed information relating to demographic and population
forecasts, sports and physical activity participation trends and national and state policies. The
2006 Leisure Strategy has also been reviewed and has largely been implemented by
Council, other levels of government and the community over the last ten years.
A consultation process was undertaken during 2016, guided by the Council’s Community
Consultation Framework. This process included:
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Letters and emails to all recreation clubs and groups on Council’s database.
Online sports club and community survey.
Seven township “drop in” sessions (both day and evening).
Advertising in local papers and in all Council Service Centres.
Signage at parks, sports reserves and along walking paths.
Council Aquatics and Leisure Facilities Facebook Page
Council was very pleased with the level of participation in the consultation phase and thanks
the community for their valuable contribution to informing this strategy so far.
The views and information received from the consultation processes indicate high levels of
satisfaction for current facilities and activities but also a desire for improved sports facilities
and for a range of passive recreational opportunities - particularly in relation to walking and
cycling trails.
The issues presented include:
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The quantum of desired improvements to facilities – both for informal recreational
opportunities (improvements to parks, trails, etc) and formal sporting facilities
(improvements to tennis facilities, sports pavilions, cricket training nets etc).
The renewal of current assets and modernisation to meet contemporary expectations
and uses (pavilions with improved umpire and female facilities, ovals with surfaces
that drain).
The desire for new facilities (indoor sports centre with multiple courts, etc).
Demands of growth and changing trends (oval shortages, greater female participation
in traditional male sports).
The challenges this presents to the Macedon Ranges community and Council is affordability
particularly in regards to:
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Maintaining current facilities – with over $80M in sport and recreational assets, Council
needs to spend an estimated $1.3M per annum just to maintain them at the current
standard.
The financial pressures on Council in maintaining and improving all of its other
facilities and services in a growing shire with increasing expectations.
The replication of facilities in each township or settlement.
The impact of rate capping on Council’s ability to increase income.
Bench marking and continued high levels of satisfaction from the community indicates that,
with some exceptions, there is a sufficient number of facilities in most areas. With this in mind
and the desire from sporting clubs and some communities for more and improved facilities,
the directions in the development of the 2017-2027 Leisure Strategy require further
consideration.
Points for critical thinking and determination include:
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Ensuring current facilities are up to contemporary standards and designed to
maximise use (eg. ensuring tennis courts are to competition standard and flood lit,
consideration of synthetic surfaces where appropriate, etc).
Thinking laterally as to how the community accesses facilities (ie. playing sports
outside of traditional time slots).
Considering whether certain specialist or more expensive facilities (ie synthetic hockey
and athletics facilities) can be afforded locally or are more conveniently accessed from
nearby larger municipalities.
Considering where some facilities are provided for a higher level of service and
economies of scale than others (ie. the Macedon Ranges Netball Complex).
Developing additional or new facilities only where there is strong evidence that they
are required and can be financially sustainable.
Following the election of the new Council in November 2016, Councillors have expressed a
desire to complete the development of the next four year Council plan prior to considering the
draft Leisure Strategy.
As the Council Plan sets the direction for the broader organisation, and is the over-arching
strategic document for Council, it can be used to inform the completion of the Leisure
Strategy.
It is anticipated that the draft Leisure Strategy will be made available for public comment in
mid 2017.
The next steps are to:
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Consider the identified needs and desires against the capacity to fund.
Further liaise internally, with Council and with State Sporting Association’s.
Develop a sustainable and affordable draft plan for Council consideration (mid-2017)
Seek public comment on the draft plan (mid-2017).
Finalise for Council consideration and adoption (last half of 2017).
Should you require further information or have any comments to add to the process please
contact Council’s Acting Recreation Co-ordinator, Dean Frank, on ph. 5422 0219 or
[email protected]