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Council is currently developing a new sport and recreation strategy, Active Warrnambool 2025-2035.
The strategy will guide the planning, provision, management, and developmental priorities for a range of sport and recreation facilities and programs in Warrnambool for the next 10 years.
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The next Warrnambool Sport and Recreation Strategy will build on the success of the previous strategy which, from 2019, delivered 22 sport and recreation projects valued at more than $17 million. The new strategy will look to build on this work and define the strategic investments required to meet the needs of our growing community. The strategy will also inform facility provision standards that will determine the types of facilities and level of investment that is required across the network of Council owned or managed reserves across the city.
These standards will aim to provide equity in facility provision so all residents can enjoy access to quality and compliant sport and recreation assets.
The aim is to develop a well-structured and evidenced based strategy that provides fair and equitable access to sport and recreation facilities across all sections of the community and is based on existing and future demands.
It will focus on municipal level provision, services and programs that maximizes opportunities for participation for all.
Active Warrnambool Guiding Principles
A set of guiding principles has been developed to be used to inform the purpose, scale, scope, standard, and timing of investment by Council.
1. That active recreation opportunities that encourage participation and have a positive influence on physical health are provided in accessible and convenient places for residents.
2. A range of active recreation opportunities are provided reflecting the diversity of our community and places across the municipality, the diversity of needs and preferences of the community, and different financial capacities.
3. Facilities are designed with inclusion, accessibility, and safety of all people in mind, enabling individuals to make choices based on their needs and interests. In line with Council’s Fair Access and Use Policy there is a particular focus on women and girls.
4. All sport and physical activity options are of equal importance to Council, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to equal scale investment.
5. Investment in sport and recreation infrastructure aims to enable health and wellbeing through social connection and physical activity for children, youth, and all age groups.
6. Council accepts Warrnambool’s role in providing sporting facilities that also serve non-resident participation in sport.
7. Supporting robust and sustainable clubs is an important role for Council, but not the responsibility of Council.
8. Facility development is based on available evidence, current data, trends and changing community preferences and the consistent application of recreation facility to population ratios, supported by standards developed by State and National sporting peak bodies.
9. State government sporting and/or social policy is an important consideration for Council in determining the way it invests in sport and infrastructure.
Project summary
Council has appointed insideEDGE Sport and Leisure Planning to deliver the Warrnambool Sport and Recreation Strategy – Active Warrnambool 2025-2035.
The Strategy aims to assist Council to:
• identify gaps, oversupply, and undersupply of sports facilities.
• deliver fair and equitable access to sport and active recreation programs and facilities.
• develop a pipeline of capital projects required to meet the needs and future demand of the community.
• adopt best practice guidelines, service levels and operational standards to guide future sport and recreation facility development; and,
• develop policies and procedures to support future decision making and resourcing required to deliver priority projects.
Project stages and timing
1. Background review - January to February 2025
2. Needs assessment - February to March 2025
3. Community consultation – March to May 2025
4. Draft strategy development – May 2025
5. Final strategy - June 2025