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Submission by Gerran Wright, Recreation Services Shire of Yarra Ranges on 27 March 2009.
2. Better place sport and physical activity as a key component of the Government's preventative health approach
- Examine Government frameworks to ensure an on-going focus on grassroots and community sport and physical activity.
The Shire’s approach to focus on grass roots and community sport is defined through its Sustainability Framework. The Framework defines the strategic objectives in building a sustainable community supported by a sustainable organisation. -The Policy and Strategy is a ten-year plan with a number of actions that will influence provision of recreation and sporting opportunities in the long term; -The Policy and Strategy examines needs and resources within the localities of the Shire and identifies the need for partnerships to develop facilities using new and sustainable technologies; -The Policy and Strategy seeks to maximise partnerships and increase multi-use and sharing of local facilities; and -The Policy and Strategy emphasises the strength of partnerships that are mutually beneficial. Managing and maintaining the above extensive range of Grass Roots community facilities consumes nearly all of the Shires resources. Upgrading or renewing facilities to meet future needs requires substantial financial assistance from both State and Federal Governments. The impact of the current drought and longer term climate change issues is increasing the pressure on local government resources in providing good quality and safe facilities.
- Examine Government programs to increase participation rates in sport and physical activity, including analysis of existing programs.
Currently Council resources are stretched to adequately maintain current facilities to the appropriate standard; therefore development of new facilities is very difficult without substantial external funding from State and Federal Governments. The condition and age of some of the Shire’s recreation and open space infrastructure presents major challenges for future demands on budgets and resources. The high demand for new and improved infrastructure exceeds resources available to Council. Council is the major provider of sport and recreation infrastructure in Yarra Ranges, providing Playgrounds 129, Equestrian Facilities 11, Pavilion/ club facilities 121, Swimming Pools 9, Playing Fields 65, Shooting Facilities 5, Netball Facilities 43, BMX Tracks 3, Tennis Facilities 35, Trails 200kms, Indoor Courts 20, Skate Parks 6, Bowling Greens 11, Radio Control Motor Racing 1. The 129 playgrounds indicated above are those managed directly by Council and do not take into account the 67 additional playgrounds linked to community facilities. The Shire owns and/or manages more than 400 parks and reserves. These range from sports reserves to less structured community and neighborhood parks, to trails and natural areas. In upgrading or improving parks and reserves Council, in consultation with Sporting clubs, user groups and the community develops reserve master plans for key reserves to address the sport and recreation needs of the community. Implementation of these master plans, with funding from users, Local, State and Federal Governments, is essential for their success. An example of the success of such actions is demonstrated in the case of the Montrose Reserve Master Plan implementation which has raised a total of approx $2M to upgrade facilities from successful partnership arrangements. Another important area of open space within the Shire is the network of 200 trails across the Shire. Value of trails is high in that they provide exercise and fitness opportunities for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and cater for different levels of fitness. The current trend of participation leans towards unstructured activities such as walking and bike riding. The Shire has developed a Hike and Bike Plan to facilitate increased activity and participation however the implementation of this plan requires partnership arrangements with State and Federal Governments so that the plan can be implemented.
- Identify and recommend opportunities to break down barriers to participation at junior, adult and senior ages with a view to making it simpler and easier for Australians to participate in the sport or physical activity of their choice, including for women, the disabled and Indigenous people.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges Draft Recreation Strategy recommends: • Increased education as to the benefits of participation towards health including individual and family specific information to junior, adult and senior age groups. • More attention directed towards provision of sport and recreation opportunities for woman, the disabled and indigenous people. • Greater community awareness of the availability of sport and recreation opportunities for the above mentioned groups. • Enable access to information about sport and recreation opportunities within Shire through a wider variety of locations including schools, commercial organisations and local businesses. • Offer where possible affordable access to recreation opportunities through equitable pricing policies, funding programs and appropriate subsidies of services, to be achieved by ddeveloping revised fees and charges for use of recreation and open space facilities that encourage partnerships and joint responsibility. • Provide incentives to sporting and recreation groups and community organisations to expand programs to be more inclusive. • Support initiatives that encourage greater participation and recognition of females in recreation and sport. • Liaise with the indigenous community to understand barriers to participation in order to advocate for improved outcomes.
- Recommend strategies to increase the effectiveness of the promotion of sport by the Federal Government to better communicate positive health and activity messages to the broader community.
• Increased funding directed towards grass roots clubs/ facilities so that they can better promote their facilities and attract participation. • Focus funding towards preventative health rather than health care using active participation in sport and recreation as one of the key elements to living a longer and healthier life. • Seek partnerships with State and Local Government, peak associations and the private sector to significantly finance, plan and develop regional and sub-regional facilities or open space. • Maintain regular communication with local government and sporting associations on the recreation and open space needs of the Yarra Ranges community. • Seek partnerships with State and Local Government, clubs and organisations and the private sector in the planning and development of community and neighbourhood facilities.
3. Strengthen pathways from junior sport to grassroots community sport right through to elite and professional sport.
- Examine the capacity of the system to ensure optimal and efficient delivery of the athlete and coach pathway for any given sport.
Support sporting associations in the professional delivery of training and development opportunities for participants and coaches.
- Recommend the most effective support and recognition for the coaches, officials, umpires, administrators and volunteers who keep our community clubs alive.
Clubs rely almost totally on volunteers for administration and management, these roles are becoming an increasingly complex and time-consuming responsibility. With the above mentioned issues in mind, parents and participants are reluctant to take on voluntary roles in committees which is leading to a decline in volunteerism. One of the key goals of identified in the Shire’s Draft Recreation Strategy states: To encourage and support volunteerism in local communities and organisations to ensure ongoing sustainability and strength of the recreation sector. Suggested actions to achieve this goal include: Provide support through increased training opportunities for clubs, community groups and volunteers to administer and manage their sport and recreation groups and clubs. Seek resources for Council to work in partnership with peak associations to ensure that risk management and OH&S requirements are met and that facilities are used appropriately in an increasingly complex environment. Recognise the contribution volunteers make to recreation and open space. Provide support to voluntary organisations to improve responses to risk management issues. Provide support to voluntary clubs and groups to apply for grants from government, sponsors, other public sector organisations or philanthropic trusts.
- Examine how relationships between the Commonwealth Government and National Sporting Organisations, State Sporting Organisations and Australia’s peak representative bodies at key multi-sports competitions may be strengthened to deliver better performance outcomes.
Successful performance in National and International competitions relies on strong partnerships and support at all levels of the sport. Often the local level of the sport is not considered when it comes to peak competitions however all elite athletes start at the local club level. Having a strong base for local sport assists in supporting stronger competition at the elite level.
5. Identify opportunities to increase and diversify the funding base for sport through corporate sponsorship, media and any recommended reforms, such as enhancing the effectiveness of the Australian Sports Foundation
Local Government is aware of the needs of local sporting clubs and associations to raise funds to support the development of their sport however we are unable to increase the already high levels of subsidies given to sporting clubs through maintenance fees for use of facilities and grounds. The Shire currently only recoups 15% of the cost of maintenance of sporting facilities from clubs and user groups and is not able to increase the level of subsidies beyond this without reducing the level of maintenance on the sporting facilities.
Page last updated: 27 March, 2009