Recreation strategy adopted

A recreation strategy outlining 35 actions including new initiatives and improvements for existing facilities has been adopted by Baw Baw Shire.

Council adopted the 10-year strategy that outlines an action plan for upgrading, improving and expanding recreation facilities across the shire until 2027.

But council also will review population growth and sport and recreation demand data associated with recreation every two years.

Councillors also agreed that where there are changes in sport and recreation demands, the actions and priorities outlined in the strategy will be reviewed and re-prioritised.

Two of the high priority actions for new facilities and initiatives include:

Development of new pavilions with universal design principles that include female friendly changerooms and toilets; functional areas for sport rather than social rooms; and, multi-use facilities;

Development of seven permanent (fenced) off-leashes areas for dogs in the shire.

Medium priority projects identified in the plan include:

Five new AFL/cricket ovals across the shire; Six new netball courts at Drouin; Designs for a new synthetic soccer pitch at Baxter Park; and,

Upgrades to pathways subject to outcomes of the proposed pedestrian and cycling strategy;

Council’s former recreation strategy was developed in 2005 and expired in 2015.

Officers said the purpose of the recreation strategy was for council to better understand the current and likely future recreational needs of the community.

Council appointed consultants ROSS Planning to develop the strategy, which was developed following consultation with community members and groups, sporting clubs, schools, advisory committees and Sport and Recreation Victoria.

Extensive community consultation was undertaken, which resulted in 220 completed community surveys, 54 club surveys, a sporting club workshop and visits to schools.

The key themes arising from the final Have Your Say process included projects from master plans that needed to be reviewed, walking and cycling, community hubs, the proposed Lillico sporting precinct in Warragul and gender equity.

Cr Keith Cook said there was a lot of growth occurring and it had to be managed properly.

He said Longwarry’s population was growing at a rate of 7.8 per cent, Drouin’s 5.4 per cent and Warragul is two per cent.

“Previous growth projection have already been overrun,” he said.

Cr Darren Wallace said he did not normally agree with 10 year strategies but the recommendation meant this strategy would be kept current and reviewed.

“This is a result of extensive consultation that began last year.

“This will give council officers a way forward in the next decade,” he said.

Cr Wallace said there was support for development of new facilities that were multi use and female friendly.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell said this was a living document that has the ability to be flexible.

“We have to be agile for our recreation facilities because demands do change.

We need to be able to work with our masterplans and have the ability to change,” she said.