Sports Facility Development Plan (10 years) - Brimbank City Council

Stage 2The focus of stage 2 was community engagement through ‘community discussionworkshops’ and written community feedback. The workshops featured apresentation by Council officers and opportunities for community members to haveinput into the Sports Facility Development Plan. The sessions were supported by arange of media and written communications including advertising in localnewspapers, a mail out to all Brimbank sports clubs, content on Council’s website,and ‘frequently asked questions’ sheets.Stage 3In stage 3, community engagement feedback was incorporated into the Plan, givingrise to key amendments as follows:A new Facility Assessment Matrix has been developed based on detailed feedback.Projects have been assessed accordingly and ranked in order of priority (Refer toSection 7 - Facility Development Plan).Sports growth trends have been updated to reflect additional data provided bysporting associations and local clubs.The key principlesLocal-level sport provides a focus that can bind a community, creating a spirit offellowship, cooperation, and communication. The Brimbank City Council’s approachto sports provision focuses primarily on providing access to sports facilities andprograms for the wider community with the aim of fostering the growth of bothorganised and unorganised sport. To this end, Council works to increase grassrootssports participation by residents of all ages, cultural groups, abilities, and socioeconomicsituations. Providing sports development pathways is also a centralcommitment.Fostering the growth of sport at a grassroots level means that community memberscan join a sporting club or competition regardless of their level of experience orskill. Providing such opportunities is vital: the roots of a community, the elementsthat bind it together, are planted through activities such as sport. By providinginclusive sporting facilities, either when building new structures or redevelopingexisting areas, all residents can gain access to sporting activities, whatever theirage, ability, ethnicity, or gender, and despite any disability. Similarly, the principleof inclusivity that guides Council requires the provision of sporting opportunities forlower income residents. Council is committed to providing low cost sportingopportunities to the community to ensure that those experiencing disadvantagehave the opportunity to participate in sport.SPORTS FACILITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN9