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Bundaberg Regional Coun ional Councilcil - regional sport and recreation strategy - Greg ...
Bundaberg Reg
          Regional
             ional Coun
                   Council
                       cil
regional sport and recreation strategy

                               July 2010
Bundaberg Regional Coun ional Councilcil - regional sport and recreation strategy - Greg ...
Bundaberg Regional Council
    regional sport and recreation strategy

                                                                                                                                                    July 2010

                                                                                                                      This Strategy has been prepared by:

                                                                                                                                                ROSS Planning Pty Ltd
                                                                                                                                                   ABN 41 892 553 822
                                                                                                                                                     9/182 Bay Terrace
                                                                                                                                               (Level 4 Flinders House)
                                                                                                                                                   Wynnum QLD 4178

                                                                                                                                                           PO Box 5660
                                                                                                                                                         Manly QLD 4179

“The Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy was developed in partnership with the                                                            Telephone: (07) 3901 0730
Queensland Government and the Bundaberg Regional Council to get more Queens-                                                                       Fax: (07) 3893 0593
landers active through sport and recreation.”

© 2010 ROSS Planning Pty Ltd
This document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for the commission. Unauthorised use of this
document in any form whatsoever is prohibited.
Bundaberg Regional Coun ional Councilcil - regional sport and recreation strategy - Greg ...
Table of Contents

1. Recommendations                                         1
     Viability of Sport and Recreation Groups              2
     Open Space and Council Planning                       4
     Maintenance and Improvement of Existing Facilities    7
     and Programs
     New Facilities, Programs and Initiatives              8
2 Purpose and Objectives                                   9
     Purpose                                               9
     Background                                            9
     Study Approach                                        9
3 Background Research                                     11
     Existing Plans and Studies                           11
     Demographics                                         13
     Trends in Sport and Recreation                       15
4 Demand Assessment                                       17
     Consultation                                         17
     Community Meetings                                   17
     Sport and Recreation Clubs and Organisations         19
     Sport and Recreation Clubs Survey                    20
     Schools Survey                                       26
5 Open Space                                              28
     Open Space Outcomes                                  28
     Guiding Principles                                   28
     Open Space Classifications                           29
     Open Space Assessment                                31
6 Appendices                                              33
Bundaberg Regional Coun ional Councilcil - regional sport and recreation strategy - Greg ...
Acronyms
The following acronyms are used in this Strategy:

 AFC        Australian Football Club
 BRC        Bundaberg Regional Council
 BRL        Bundaberg Rugby League
 DSS        Desired Standard of Service
 DERM       Department of Environment and Resource Management
 DSQ        Disability Services Queensland
 EQ         Education Queensland
 HLG        Healthy Lifestyle Group
 PCYC       Police Citizens Youth Club
 NBT        North Burnett Tourism
 NSO        National Sporting Organisation
 QT         Queensland Transport
 SAB        Sports Advisory Board
 SRS        Sport and Recreation Service (Department of
            Communities)
 SSO        State Sporting Organisation
 TQ         Tourism Queensland
Bundaberg Regional Coun ional Councilcil - regional sport and recreation strategy - Greg ...
SECTION
        recommendatIONS
                                                                 1
This Bundaberg Regional Council Sport and Recreation Strategy
extends the 2006 Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy developed
by Bundaberg City Council and the Burnett Shire Council. It has not
been a complete re-write of this earlier document, but rather the
focus has been on integrating the needs of the Kolan and Isis Shires
into a Regional Strategy.
This document cannot be read alone. The background information in
the 2006 Strategy is still relevant excepting the information supplied
by sport and recreation clubs that is now included in Appendix 1.
The recommendations in this report though have included the 2006
recommendations as well as some outstanding ones from the 2004
Kolan Sport and Recreation Plan so that all recommendations are in
the one document1.
The Bundaberg Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy is an oppor-
tunity for Council to support and build upon the Region’s diversity of
sporting facilities, parks for locals and visitors, play spaces for children
and young people and pedestrian paths.
Implementation of the recommendations outlined in this Strategy
will continue the good results that the community and Council have
achieved over many years.
The recommendations of this Strategy are detailed below and are
grouped into four strategic areas. These are:
1.   Viability of sport and recreation groups
2.   Open Space and Council Planning
3.   Maintenance and improvement of existing facilities and programs
4.   New facilities, programs and initiatives
Priorities are assigned for each action. A “short” recommendation
should be undertaken as soon as resources allow while “Medium” (in
the next 2-5 years) and “Long” priorities (when resources allow) are
not as urgent. However, should resources become available, in most
cases projects can be brought forward. Prioritisation is often about
spreading the available resources rather than the actual timing of the
need.

1         Recommendations from 2006 that have been completed have been
excluded.
                                                                           1
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Viability of Sport and Recreation Groups
No.   Recommendation                                                                                    Responsibility        Priority
                                                                                                Lead Agency Partners
1     Develop a Sport Advisory Board with community and Sport and Recreation Services BRC                       SRS, Local    Short and
      membership. The membership should be reflective of facility managers and program                          Clubs         Ongoing
      deliverers in the region. The Sport Advisory Board could provide information to
      Council on the needs in the region as well as assist Council in allocating its resourc-
      es and developing policy responses to issues.
2     Liaise with Sport and Recreation Services to improve the coordination of an annual        BRC             SRS, Local    Ongoing
      process for clubs to notify changes to office bearers or contact details. Details                         Clubs
      should free from privacy restrictions so that they can be distributed as required e.g.
      a public request for details on clubs that play an activity they are interested in. Or-
      ganisations should be encouraged to establish generic email addresses (e.g. hotmail/
      yahoo or gmail) so that they do not change with a change of executive.
3     Use the Community Grants Program funding to assist organisations receiving fund-          BRC             Local Clubs   Ongoing
      ing under the Sport and Recreation Services’ Minor Facilities Program.
      Under this program, applicants (must be incorporated not-for-profit clubs), must
      have one-quarter of the total project cost while Sport and Recreation Services will
      contribute up to three-quarters of the project cost. Budget permitting, Council
      should consider providing 50% of the contribution of the club (one-eighth of total
      project cost) subject to the club providing the same, and being successful in their
      final application.
      This process ensures the club takes responsibility for the project by financially
      contributing, but the majority of project costs (seven-eighths) are borne by Council
      (one-eighth) and the State Government (six-eighths), minimising the operational
      impact on the club. As an example, by contributing $5,000 under this system,
      Council would see the completion of a significant community project to the value of
      $40,000.
4     Increase the promotion and celebration of local achievements by people and events         SAB             BRC, Local    Ongoing
      in sport, recreation and community by supporting the development of a reward and                          Clubs
      recognition program.
5     Coordinate the updating of Sport and Recreation Services's and the Community              BRC             Local Clubs   Short
      Links data base (annually) as sport and recreation groups are dynamic with new
      ones being formed and some disband regularly. Ensure other sport and recreation
      information is current and useful.
6     Assist the YMCA to develop a strategic plan and master plan for their site (in the        YMCA            BRC           Short
      context of other developments and proposals). The Plans will direct development,
      operational plans, budgets and Council support over the longer term.
7     Facilitate a program of education and training for sport and recreation groups across BRC                 SRS, SSO’s,   Ongoing
      the Region, focussing on identified training needs. Training and club development                         NSO’s
      should focus on:
      •    strategic and business planning for clubs
      •    advertising and marketing
      •    volunteer management
      •    club governance and committee management
      •    asset management and maintenance.
8     In partnership with industry, community and Sport and Recreation Services, facilitate BRC                 SRS, SSO’s,   Medium
      practical maintenance and asset management training programs and encourage the                            NSO’s
      implementation of a rolling program to improve the field and court surface condi-
      tions and the quality of lighting. This could include bringing specialists to the region
      to advise and assist sport and recreation groups to undertake field surface condition
      testing from which maintenance and watering regimes can be developed.
9     Assist the Moore Park Beach Football Club and Moore Park Netball Team to                  MPBSC           BRC           Short/ Me-
      prepare a feasibility study and develop a master plan (acknowledging other possible                                     dium
      community needs) for a site adjacent to the Moore Park School. The feasibility study
      should consider planning, development, management and funding options.

                                                                                                                                           2
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No.   Recommendation                                                                                 Responsibility         Priority
                                                                                               Lead Agency Partners
10    Pilot a biennial forum for key community based sport and recreation organisations.       BRC           SRS, SSO’s,    Short and
      The forum should aim to:                                                                               NSO’s,Volun-   then every
      •    educate the volunteer club sector in appropriate management techniques                            teer Organi-   two years
      •    promote Council’s plans and policies                                                              sations
      •    gather information for Council’s planning and open communication with the
           sector
      •    reward volunteers
      •    promote and encourage physical activity and healthy eating in the community,
           and
      •    provide information on innovative program and planning responses.
      The forum could be delivered in partnership with Sport and Recreation Services and
      should provide a platform to coordinate the delivery of information for the benefit
      of both community and Council.
11    Assist and support key sports to develop and implement facility asset management         Local Sporting BRC           Short/ Me-
      and master plans to clearly guide future development decisions. Initially provide sup-   Clubs                        dium
      port to the following:
      •    Bundaberg and District Tennis Association
      •    Bundaberg Amateur Cycling Club
      •    Bundaberg Basketball Association
      •    Bundaberg Rowing Club Inc
      •    Bundaberg Rugby Football Club and Bundaberg Cricket Association (Salter
           Oval)
      •    Childers Aerodrome
      •    Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club
      •    Gin Gin Sports Reserve
      •    Western Suburbs Leagues Club.
12    Improve the long term use and condition of Kendalls Flats sports fields by:              Bundaberg     BRC            Short/ Me-
      •    developing an asset management plan including backlog and forward                   Cricket                      dium
           maintenance requirements
      •    develop a cooperative implementation program with the user groups/
           management committee
      •    providing disability access to facilities
      •    providing sight screens
      •    maintaining a minimum standard of active playing surface (level surface).

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Open Space and Council Planning
No.   Recommendation                                                                                   Responsibility        Priority
                                                                                                 Lead Agency Partners
13    Review achievement of this Sport and Recreation Plan annually and report progress          BRC          SAB            Ongoing
      to Council.
14    Continue Council’s role in creating local environments that support active, healthy        BRC          SAB, HLG,      Ongoing
      communities and lifestyles.                                                                             Key Stake-
                                                                                                              holders
15    A rolling program of recreation park improvements (e.g. concept plans, minor and           BRC                         Ongoing
      major park improvement schedules) to meet contemporary community expecta-
      tions and Australian standards requirements.
16    Improve the level of directional signage to key sport and recreation facilities to assist BRC           QT, Local      Ongoing
      visitors in locating them.                                                                              Clubs
17    Continue implementation of the Bundaberg Regional Council Multi–Modal and Walk             BRC          QT, SRS, TQ,   Short to
      Cycle Plans.                                                                                            NBT            Long
18    Commence the development of regional walking/ cycling opportunities by finalising          BRC          QT, SRS, TQ,   Short (plan-
      the walk–cycle route from Bundaberg City to Bargara and commencing its construc-                        NBT            ning) Me-
      tion.                                                                                                                  dium/ Long
                                                                                                                             (construc-
                                                                                                                             tion)
19    Adopt the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation and Sport Strategy. For all regional        BRC                         Short
      facility developments establish working parties with the relevant organisations to
      plan and deliver the improvements required for regional level status (also see rec-
      ommendation 51).
20    Complete the master plan of the Bundaberg Recreation Precinct.                             BRC          Key Stake-     Short
                                                                                                              holders
21    Review Council’s lease/ use agreement policies with a view to:                             BRC          Lessees
      •    making policy consistent across the regional council area
      •    developing alternative and more efficient models of management for existing
           providers
      •    improving awareness of policies and procedures
      •    clarifying roles and responsibilities
      •    including performance measures and development requirements in agreements
      •    increasing the involvement of key Council Officers in the granting and renewal
           processes.
22    Develop an open space plan for the Regional Council area that meets the needs of           BRC          Key Stake-     Short
      the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. An up-to-date open space plan will allow Council                     holders
      to levy an infrastructure charge on new developments and to provide the recreation
      and sporting open space the community needs.
23    Liaise with Council’s Planning staff concerning the need to protect, through Council’s BRC                             Short
      Planning instruments, hard-to-locate and noisy sports. In any amendments or rewrit-
      ing of the Planning Scheme, establish provisions that will protect groups involved in
      these activities from being relocated due to encroaching residential activity.
24    Investigate and plan for a district level recreation park in Childers. Embellish with      BRC          Community      Medium
      high quality, innovative playground items and facilities for families.
25    Develop a brochure promoting use of Councils’ parks and walk–cycle networks. The           BRC          QT, Local      Medium
      brochure should include:                                                                                Clubs
      •    maps of the network
      •    information on the facilities provided in each park, including playgrounds,
           barbecue and picnic facilities, disabled facilities and toilets
      •    parkland attractions, key nodes and location of facilities and amenities
      •    information on distances between nodes.
      The brochure should be widely distributed across the region, on Council’s website
      and be made available to new residents and at tourist information points.
26    Investigate the long term open space value of Bundaberg City’s refuse facility (Uni-       BRC                         Medium
      versity Drive) prior to its closure as this site has the potential to augment particular                               (planning)
      open space, sport and recreation needs.                                                                                with Long
                                                                                                                             (implemen-
                                                                                                                             tation)

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No.   Recommendation                                                                                 Responsibility            Priority
                                                                                               Lead Agency Partners
27    Develop a policy and range of strategies to relocate existing field sporting uses away   BRC                             Medium
      from valuable foreshore land, especially at Burnett Heads and Bargara.
28    Consider options and determine a preferred location for a neighbourhood level            BRC                             Medium
      sports/ community facility accessible to the Burnett Heads community. There is the
      need to ensure that the site is well located and has few restrictions that will impact
      on the long term use and development (e.g. lighting, noise).
29    Over time, develop concept master plans for all district level and signature recrea-     BRC          Community          Medium
      tion parks. The following are priority parks:
      •    Boreham Park
      •    McGladdery Court Park
      •    McCarthy Street Park 2 / Frank Gilbert Drive
      •    Queens Park
      •    Federation Park
      •    land acquired adjacent to Moore Park School (currently undeveloped)
      •    a new recreation reserve in Childers
      •    a new recreation reserve in Gin Gin.
30    Develop a plan to ensure that the noisy and hard-to-locate sports (motor and             BRC          Key stakeholders   Medium
      shooting sports) are not driven from their homes or Bundaberg Region by expand-
      ing residential development. The rural areas in the west of the LGA also offer oppor-
      tunities for new facilities that should be explored—particularly for motor sports.
31    Establish the rights users have to stored-water bodies and publicise to avoid on-        Sunwater     BRC, BMRG, Key     Short/ Me-
                                                                                                            Stakeholders
      water conflicts (e.g. at the Bucca Rowing Course).                                                                       dium
32    Review Council’s resource allocation policies including:                                 BRC          Local Clubs        Medium
      •    review the policy of allocating water to sports clubs to establish a more
           equitable and sustainable basis (e.g. consider field condition or sport code
           requirements rather than just the number of fields). As an example an option
           is to research appropriate field watering benchmarks for Bundaberg and apply
           accordingly for sports clubs. This can be supported by training (most clubs
           over–water or use water inefficiently) and capital improvement programs (e.g.
           sensor automated irrigation). A monitoring and evaluation program should also
           be established for the benchmarking and policy.
      •    review mowing and maintenance support. Establish an improved framework
           for delivery that allows community organisations/ clubs to undertake these
           operations in a more cost effective and efficient manner. (e.g. establish
           mowing standards, such as cuts per annum and height, assist clubs sharing
           sites to acquire mowers that meet their needs and determine obligations and
           resourcing).
33    Develop an Outdoor Recreation Strategy. This Strategy would establish the opportu- BRC                WBROC,             Medium
      nities and priorities for the development of outdoor recreation opportunities in the                  NBRC, Key
      non-urban areas of the region. If possible, combine with other local governments of                   Stakeholders
      the Wide Bay Burnett, and in particular, North Burnett Regional Council.
34    Acquire land central to urban development along the coast of at least district park      BRC          DERM, EQ           Long
      size (10 hectares minimum) for the development of a multi–purpose sports facility.
35    Work with the key stakeholders of the Bundaberg Racecourse to undertake a man-           Bundaberg    BRC, Key           Long
      agement and development plan to guide the development of the organisation and            Race Club    Stakeholders
      the site. This planning should include:
      •    investigating the feasibility of relocating the premises to other sites or
           consolidating other compatible uses on the existing site
      •    increasing sporting and recreation use of the site (particularly for the inner
           track) and
      •    improving the connection and presentation of the site with the surrounding
           land uses.
      The study should ensure that tenure and development options maximise eligibility
      and access to grants and subsidies.

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Maintenance and Improvement of Existing Facilities and Programs
No.   Recommendation                                                                                  Responsibility       Priority
                                                                                               Lead Agency      Partners
36    Identify options to support to those organisations who have identified their needs in    Sporting Or-   BRC          Ongoing
      either this Plan or through other development plans lodged with Council or Sport         ganisations
      and Recreation Services, in particular:
      •   Across the Waves – Australian Rules and various softball clubs (Frank Coulthard
          Complex) – upgrade lighting and canteen facilities
      •   Alloway Country Club – lighting upgrade
      •   Avondale Rugby League – new dressing shed
      •   Bargara District Little Athletics – upgrade toilet and storage facilities
      •   Bargara Football Club – upgrades to facilities at Neilson Park
      •   Bucca Horse and Sports Association – new amenities
      •   Bundaberg Amateur Cycling Club – upgrade lighting
      •   Bundaberg Athletics Club – upgrade athletics track to a synthetic surface
      •   Bundaberg Basketball – upgrade of outdoor courts, lighting of outdoor courts
      •   Bundaberg BMX – additional seating and shade structures
      •   Bundaberg Cricket (Juniors, Seniors,Veterans) – field resurfacing, sight screens
          and amenities upgrade (Kendalls Flats)
      •   Bundaberg District Tennis – umpire chairs and facility developments
      •   Bundaberg Hockey – lighting of grass fields (Hinkler Park)
      •   Bundaberg Netball – increase court numbers, court resurfacing and shade
          structures
      •   Bundaberg Rowing Club (City facility) – new administration, training and
          storage facility
      •   Bundaberg Rugby League – drop in/out wicket
      •   Bundaberg Rugby Football Club, Bundaberg Cricket Association and Bundaberg
          Rugby Club (Salter Oval) – further lighting to outer fields
      •   Bundaberg Softball – increase number of diamonds, lighting to diamonds, ground
          improvements, additional seating/ shade
      •    Bundaberg Touch Association – shade structures, clubhouse development/
          extension/ all weather area, upgrade existing lighting, further lighting of fields
      •   Burnett Heads Lighthouse Angling Club – boat ramp at Littabella Creek
      •   Burnett Zone 7 Pony Club – covered arena
      •   Football Bundaberg – replace unsafe grandstands
      •   Gin Gin District Pony Club – upgrades to Pony Club grounds
      •   Gin Gin RLFC – Upgrade lighting and develop new amenities (after a master
          plan is completed)
      •   Isis Deep Sea and Off-Shore Fishing Club – boat ramp upgrades
      •   Isis District Horse and Pony Club – various facility improvements at Apple Tree
          Creek
      •   Isis District Small Bore Rifle Club – develop new facilities (toilets/ showers/
          change rooms etc)
      •   Isis Tennis Club – court surface upgrades
      •   Moore Park Beach Community Association – hall improvements
      •   Moore Park Surf Life Saving – provide disability accessible toilet
      •   Saxon Archery – extend clubhouse and storage
      •   Surf Life Saving – long term regional office accommodation.
      •   West Bundaberg Athletics Club – upgrade athletics track to a synthetic surface
      •   Western Suburbs Rugby League & Western Suburbs Softball Club (Jubilee Park)
          – lighting upgrade and ground improvements
      •   Woodgate Tennis Club – court surfaces repairs and replacement.
37    Council’s Youth Development Officer work with youth services organisations to            BRC            Local Clubs,  Ongoing
      deliver joint school holiday programs for young people.                                                 Youth Groups,
                                                                                                              Service Pro-
                                                                                                              viders

                                                                                                                                      6
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

No.   Recommendation                                                                                  Responsibility       Priority
                                                                                               Lead Agency      Partners
38    Continue involvement in the support of community sport and recreation events.            BRC           Local Clubs   Ongoing
      Council’s current assistance includes:
      •    publishing an events calendar on the Council website
      •    development and promotion of a self–help event kit for sporting groups
      •    promoting sporting events in regular publications (e.g. emails and newsletters)
      •    helping organisers to establish contact with the appropriate people in Council
           for operational issues, such as negotiating temporary access for car parking or
           park bookings
      •    in-kind assistance.
39    Council to support and encourage sport and recreation organisations to upgrade           Local Sporting BRC, DSQ     Ongoing
      facilities to improve disability access.                                                 Clubs
40    Investigate and undertake improvements to the Region’s Skate Park facilities includ-     BRC           Community     Ongoing
      ing:
      •    providing shade over and around the facility either with trees or artificial
           structures (Bundaberg, Burnett Heads/ Gin Gin and Childers)
      •    improve the mix of users by proving a broader range of facilities that cater to a
           range of ages
      •    upgrade the toilets and access to users (Bundaberg Skate Park)
      •    provide more seating (Burnett Heads Skate Park).
41    Conduct a disability audit of Council-controlled facilities. Encourage sport and rec-     BRC          DSQ           Short
      reation organisations, where they control the facility, to also undertake similar audits.
42    Work with and encourage the PCYC to undertake a feasibility study on the pro-      PCYC                BRC           Short
      posed conversion of the outdoor court to a dedicated gymnastics venue. This should
      also include the development of a master plan for Barber Park to ensure appropri-
      ate layout and development requirements are achieved and that community use is
      optimised.
43    Work in partnership with all school (private and State) to improve the community         BRC           EQ, Local     Medium
      use of sport and recreation facilities.                                                                Sporting
                                                                                                             Clubs
44    Investigate the feasibility of providing a therapeutic water environment at Norville     BRC                         Long
      Pool. This may be achieved through undertaking minor modifications and program-
      ming changes. As the population ages a facility of this type will be increasingly
      required.

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bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

New Facilities, Programs and Initiatives
No.   Recommendation                                                                                     Responsibility          Priority
                                                                                                   Lead Agency Partners
45    Support and facilitate partnerships (e.g. HeartStart,YMCA, PCYC, Healthy and Ac-             BRC          Key Stake-       Ongoing
      tive Communities) to develop a range of physical activity programs initially aimed at                     holders
      target groups (e.g. men’s health program; walking programs, pram stroller’s/ single
      parents’ program, physical activity for the disabled).
46    Investigate construction of bike dirt jumps or challenging play facilities at:               BRC          Community        Short/ Me-
      •    Yandaran in consultation with school children                                                                         dium
      •    the emerging communities around the suburbs of Branyan and Elliott.
47    Develop a master plan for the Bundaberg Airport Sports Park including the reloca-            BRC          Key Stake-       Short
      tion of the athletics facility to ensure the appropriate mix of users and maximum                         holders
      outcomes for indoor and outdoor sports are realised.
48    Develop a range of strategies to attract and host major sporting events to the region BRC                 Local Sporting Short
                                                                                                                Clubs, NBT
49    Undertake a feasibility study for a new state level swimming complex in the                  BRC          Key Stake-       Short
      Bundaberg Region                                                                                          holders
50    Coordinate the facility needs of all athletics clubs and plan for a single major facility.   BRC          Athletic Club,   Short
      A management plan needs to be developed to accommodate multiple clubs’ needs in                           SSO
      the single facility.
51    For all regional facility developments in the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation           BRC          Key Stake-       Short to
      and Sport Strategy establish working parties with the relevant organisations to plan                      holders          Long
      and deliver the improvements required for regional level status (also see recom-
      mendation 18). Working parties will be required to advance the following facility
      recommendations:
      •    a synthetic athletics facility in Bundaberg
      •    a 4-court indoor facility in Bundaberg (for basketball and other indoor sports)
      •    a dedicated gymnastics facility in Bundaberg that meets regional standards
      •    upgrades to amenities and facilities at Monduran Dam
      •    various upgrades to Bundaberg Showgrounds including arenas, spectator access
           and arena lighting
      •    additional facilities and amenities at the Bundaberg Rowing Club
      •    a 20 Bay indoor pistol facility and another 25m turning target range at the
           Bundaberg Pistol Club
      •    a new regional level swimming complex facility in Bundaberg.
52    Identify options to support key sporting and recreation organisations who have iden- Sporting             BRC, DERM,       Short to
      tified the need to acquire land to meet current and future demand in particular:     Organisations        SSO’s            Long
      •    AFL
      •    Rugby Union
53    Plan for the replacement of the Isis War Memorial Swimming Pool. Part of the plan-           BRC                           Medium/
      ning should include a feasibility study that reviews appropriate sites and considers                                       Long
      the facility mix.
54    Plan for the upgrading of the Gin Gin Swimming Pool. An upgrade may include addi-          BRC                             Long
      tional pools with a leisure focus. Part of the planning should include a feasibility study
      that considers the facility mix.

                                                                                                                                              8
SECTION
            purpose and
             Objectives
                                                                    2
Purpose
As stated in the Project Brief, the purpose of the project has been:
   “To develop a Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy by
   identifying present and future demands in sport and recreation
   in the region and developing guidelines for the Regional Council
   to provide for the existing and future demand, based on existing
   information, detailed community profiles, consultation, research,
   identified needs and analysis.
   More specifically, the purpose of the project is to:
   •    develop a regionally focused strategy establishing the links
        and needs shared by previous council plans leading out
        to a single Sport and Recreation Strategy for the newly
        formed Bundaberg Regional Council.
   •    develop a strategic framework to guide sport and
        recreation planning, facility development, management,
        maintenance and administration within the Bundaberg
        Regional Council.
   •    develop a plan that provides a coordinated and rational
        approach to the provision and development of infrastruc-
        ture and opportunities for recreation and sport within the
        Bundaberg Regional Council.
   •    create a 5 year action plan and identify longer term issues
        (for up to 10 years) for the region to work together with
        sporting organisations for the development of sport and
        recreation in the region”.
The Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy will provide detailed
strategies, policies and recommendations to guide council over the
next 5 years while incorporating major long term issues (up to 10
years)

Background
In 2008, Bundaberg Regional Council was formed through the amal-
gamation of Bundaberg City Council and the Shires of Kolan, Burnett
and Isis. Each of these local governments had some form of sport and
recreation planning and, where relevant, this Strategy has built upon
these.
In 2006, Bundaberg City Council and Burnett Shire Council, as they
were known then, jointly developed the Regional Sport and Recrea-
tion Strategy. The two Council’s worked together on the Strategy as
they realised that each respective community used facilities in the
other’s—with Bundaberg providing many of the higher level sport
facilities and Burnett Shire providing most of the outdoor recrea-
tion experiences. As many of the recommendations in this Strategy
have not been met, or are only partially met, they have been carried
forward into this Strategy where they are still considered relevant.
Kolan Shire Council developed their second Sport and Recreation

                                                                        9
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

Plan in 2004 and it had a 15-year time frame. Recommendations,                  •   undertake consultation including:
where backed by consultation and analysis in 2010, have been inte-                  − Council Officers
grated into this Strategy.                                                          − a survey of organisations (all organisations in the former
                                                                                          Kolan and Isis Council areas and organisations that
The 1999 Isis Shire Sport and Recreation Facility Plan was also made
                                                                                          participated in the 2006 Bundaberg Burnett Regional Sport
available but this Plan is considered too old to add any value.
                                                                                          and Recreation Strategy)
In April 2010 the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation and Sport                    − a cross-section of sport and recreation providers in
Strategy was completed. This Strategy reviewed the needs for regional                     Childers and Gin Gin
(and higher level) facilities across the six local governments1 that                − community workshops in Gin Gin, Bundaberg and
make up the Wide Bay Burnett.                                                             Childers—to offer an opportunity for the community
                                                                                          to meet the consultants and discuss their wants, needs
A number of recommendations in this report relate to facilities within                    and desires. The Bundaberg workshop was focussed on
the Bundaberg Regional Council area and are taken into considera-                         reconfirming the existing recommendations and priorities
tion in this Strategy.                                                              − a survey of schools.
                                                                                •   analyse the information and develop the draft Bundaberg
                                                                                    Regional Council Sport and Recreation Strategy
Study Approach                                                                  •   review the draft Bundaberg Regional Council Sport and
                                                                                    Recreation Strategy with Council officers and amend as required
The study approach has been to build upon existing strategies and                   following a three week public display
other information. Given the resources available for the project, and           •   finalise the project.
the fact that the former local governments of Bundaberg and Burnett
have recent and comprehensive strategies, consultation has been
primarily focussed upon the former shires of Kolan and Isis.
However, the community of Bundaberg was given the opportunity to
consider and update information and priorities in the existing Strat-
egy and sport and recreation clubs that contributed to last Strategy
were given the opportunity to update their information.
Broadly, the study approach used has been to:
•    review existing plans and strategies and incorporate information
     where relevant
•    review the demographics for the regional council area
•    inspect open space areas in Gin Gin and Childers as well as key
     sporting hubs or facilities
•    analyse the quality of open space in Gin Gin and Childers
•    provide updated information on sporting and recreation trends

1         The Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett and
Gympie Regional Councils and the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council

Paradise Dam

                                                                                                                                                10
SECTION
            Background
              research
                                                                3
Existing Plans and Studies
Existing plans need to be recognised in this study as this Strategy will
build upon them.
As mentioned earlier, this Strategy builds upon the 2006 Regional
Sport and Recreation Strategy to include the former shires of Isis and
Kolan while updating some of the information within the former local
governments of Bundaberg and Burnett.

Bundaberg Regional Council Corporate Plan
2009 - 2014
Following the amalgamation of the four local government areas into the
Bundaberg Regional Council a new Corporate Plan was developed.
The Vision adopted for the region—an expression of how the region
might desirably look in the future—is:
     Bundaberg Region – Vibrant, Progressive, Connected and Sus-
     tainable.
The Corporate Plan identifies four outcome areas where it needs to
achieve if it is to realise the vision. There are various strategies within
each outcome area. The outcome areas are:
1.    Community
2.    Environment
3.    Economy, and
4.    Governance.
Of most interest to this study is the Community outcome area and
the following strategies:
4.1.1 Outcome: A safe, active and healthy community
Strategy—provide a range of leisure, physical activity and recreation
programs to help meet basic community needs
4.1.2 Outcome: Equitable access to adequate services and well main-
tained facilities
Strategy—plan, provide and maintain or facilitate a range of leisure,
physical activity and recreation services and facilities to help meet
basic community needs.

Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation and
Sport Strategy
Over the next 25 years, the Wide Bay Burnett is expecting a popula-
tion increase in the order of 180,000 people and it is important that
the lifestyle infrastructure is in place to support this population.
In developing the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Recreation and Sport
Strategy, information was sought to identify the region’s future recrea-
tion and sport requirements. The identification of these was to assist
Councils within the Region to plan for future land and facility provi-
sion in areas that will have the population to sustain them.

                                                                        11
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

This Strategy focused on a range of regional level sport and recrea-                    Physical Activity and Healthy Living
tion facilities (not local level and not State or higher level facilities).
Regional, as used in this Strategy, means serving the needs of the                      In the 2006 Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy there was a
Wide Bay Burnett or a significant proportion of it.                                     discussion of Council’s role in Physical Activity.

Despite their ability to host regional level competitions, most facilities              Back then, Council being involved in influencing physical activity was
also host local level competitions on a regular basis. Regional level                   a relatively new role. Nowadays, many Councils are realising that they
competitions may, in many instances, be held only a few times per                       can be quite effective in increasing physical activity and are seeing
year. The local level competition is important for the viability of the                 physical health, mental health, social and cultural, economic and envi-
facility.                                                                               ronmental benefits in their community.

Recommendations were made generally as well as for a number of                          Bundaberg Regional Council, in partnership, works with the Healthy
sports. The recommendations below have been extracted from the                          Lifestyle Group to promote improved physical activity in the com-
report and are now also reflected in the recommendations of this                        munity.
Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy. The relevant recommenda-                        Since 2006 there has been a recognition that “healthy eating” is also a
tions are:                                                                              societal problem that links to health and physical activity. In 2009 and
•     2.6.1 Local governments, when reviewing or drafting new                           2010 the Queensland State Government has been promoting widely
      planning schemes, include provisions to protect existing and                      the benefits of healthy eating (as well as increased physical activity)
      potential sites for noisy and hard-to-locate sporting facilities                  as a tool to reduce health costs and improve people’s quality of life.
•     8.1.1 Construction of a new synthetic Athletics facility at                       Again, local government is well placed to effect some of this change.
      Bundaberg                                                                         Information from the Queensland Government notes:
•     8.2.1 Set land aside in Bundaberg for a new AFL oval
                                                                                            “Physically inactive Australian adults are costing the health
•     8.2.4 Lighting installed at Brothers Sports Club and Across the
                                                                                            care system an avoidable $1.5 billion a year. More than half of
      Waves (for the playing of AFL)
                                                                                            Queensland adults are not getting enough physical activity for
•     8.3.1 Construction of a new 4-court indoor facility at Bundaberg
                                                                                            good health, and only 12 per cent consume the recommended
      (for basketball and other indoor sports)
                                                                                            serves of vegetables and 53 per cent consume the recom-
•     8.10.1 Construct a new dedicated (gymnastics) facility in
                                                                                            mended serves of fruit per day. Regular physical activity and
      Bundaberg that meets regional standards
                                                                                            healthy eating reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2
•     8.13.1 Upgrades to amenities and facilities at Monduran Dam
                                                                                            diabetes, obesity, breast and bowel cancer, depression and anxi-
•     8.15.5 Installation of lighting at the Bundaberg Kart Club
                                                                                            ety.These chronic diseases are now the major cause of death
•     8.17.1 Upgrade the Bundaberg Netball Association to regional
                                                                                            and disability in Australia, estimated to be responsible for nearly
      standards
                                                                                            80 per cent of all disease and injury and more than two-thirds
•     8.20.3 Upgrade to Bundaberg Showgrounds including arenas,
                                                                                            of the total health expenditure.
      spectator access and arena lighting
•     8.21.1 Construct additional facilities and amenities at the                           There is strong national and international evidence that the
      Bundaberg Rowing Club                                                                 built environment can help people to develop and maintain
•     8.25.1 Construction of a 20 Bay indoor pistol facility at the                         healthier lifestyles. Councils can play a role in shaping the built
      Bundaberg Pistol Club                                                                 environment through their urban planning processes, provision
•     8.25.2 The construction of another 25m turning target range at                        and maintenance of infrastructure and facilities in their commu-
      the Bundaberg Pistol Club                                                             nities, and also through their leadership power to bring together
•     8.28.2 Construction of a new (regional level swimming complex)                        various agencies and community groups to create supportive
      facility in Bundaberg1                                                                environments for physical activity and healthy eating”.
•     8.32.1 Construction of a long distance (walking) trail from
      Bundaberg to Bargara.                                                             To effect change, the Government suggest that Council’s can use
                                                                                        their:
                                                                                        •     corporate planning tools
                                                                                        •     operational planning tools
                                                                                        •     local law and policy matters
                                                                                        •     gis/analysis tools, and
                                                                                        •     funding and awards opportunities.
                                                                                        Some of the suggested Healthy Eating actions that Council’s can
                                                                                        undertake include:
                                                                                        •     breast-feeding and baby care facilities
                                                                                        •     community-supported local food systems and agriculture
                                                                                        •     limiting access to fast food and increasing access to healthy foods
                                                                                        •     signage regulation
                                                                                        •     policy – food availability through council operated venues and
                                                                                              functions
                                                                                        •     mapping of key health statistics at the local level
                                                                                        •     community grants and award opportunities.
1            Queensland Swimming advised that Bundaberg needs a new facility/           Key information can be found at activehealthycommunities.com.au.
complex with a 50m pool, a 25m pool, automatic timing, additional amenities
and parking. Norville Pool does not currently meet regional level facility standards
due to shallow depth warm-up pool (that cannot have starting blocks). Bundaberg
is a key location in the Region being close to transport and a central point between
Rockhampton and Brisbane
                                                                                                                                                                  12
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

Demographics
In Table 1, selected demographics are shown for Bundaberg Regional Council with a comparison with the State of Queensland.
Table 1: Selected demographics for Bundaberg Regional Council
 Characteristic                                          Bundaberg Regional Council               Queensland
 Number of People                                                                       82,965                     3,891,568
 Age Profile
 Aged 0 to 4                                                                               5.9%                          6.6%
 Aged 5 to 14                                                                            14.8%                         14.1%
 Aged 15 to 24                                                                           11.4%                         13.8%
 Aged 25 to 44                                                                           22.9%                         28.2%
 Aged 45 to 64                                                                           27.7%                         25.0%
 Aged 65 to 74                                                                             9.8%                          6.6%
 Aged 75 and over                                                                          7.6%                          5.7%
 Median Age                                                                                  41                            36
 Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity
 Identifies as Indigenous                                                                  2.7%                          3.3%
 Born in Australia                                                                       82.4%                         75.2%
 Born Elsewhere                                                                          10.9%                         17.9%
 Speaks only English at home                                                             91.8%                         86.4%
 Speaks language other than English at home                                                3.0%                          7.8%
 Household Composition and Income
 Family households                                                                       73.8%                         72.7%
 Lone person households                                                                  23.4%                         22.8%
 Other households                                                                          2.8%                          4.5%
 Mean Household Size                                                                        2.5                            2.5
 Household income under $350 per week                                                    20.4%                         15.1%
 Household income under $500 per week                                                    31.4%                         20.6%
 Family Composition
 Couples without children                                                                45.4%                         39.2%
 Couples with children                                                                   37.3%                         43.3%
 One parent families                                                                     16.3%                         15.9%
 Other families                                                                            1.0%                          1.7%
 Highest level of Schooling
 Year 12 or equivalent                                                                   30.1%                         45.9%
 Year 10 or equivalent                                                                   37.1%                         29.9%
 Year 8 or below                                                                         13.6%                           8.2%
 Did not go to school                                                                      0.5%                          0.5%
 Other Characteristics
 People needing assistance with core activities                                            6.6%                          4.2%
 People undertaking volunteer work                                                       21.8%                         20.3%
 Dwellings with an internet connection                                                   54.2%                         64.8%
 Dwellings with no motor vehicle                                                           7.6%                          8.2%
 Dwellings with one or more motor vehicles                                               92.4%                         91.8%
Source: ABS 2006 Basic Community Profile (Release 1) cat no: 2069.0.30.001 and Planning Information and Forecasting Unit (Department of Infrastructure and Planning)
Population and Housing Fact Sheet 2009.These figures are an aggregate of the census collection districts that most closely align with the boundaries of these areas.

                                                                                                                                                                   13
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

The population of the aggregate Regional Council area was 82,965 at                    Figure 3: Age Distribution for Bundaberg Regional Council to 2031 (Department of
the 2006 census (the Census was undertaken two years before amal-                      Infrastructure and Planning)
gamation so the four local government areas have been combined for
this analysis).
The Department of Infrastructure and Planning’s 2008 Population
and Housing Fact Sheet indicates that population growth was above
2%p.a. in both years prior to 2008 (annual increase of 1,916 and 2,376
in 2005/06 and 2006/07 respectively). It is expected that growth will
continue. Population projections as prepared by the Department of
Infrastructure and Planning (see Figure 1) project a 2031 population
between 122,000 and 141,000 with a medium series projection at
130,548, nearly 50,000 more residents than in 2006.
Figure 1: Population projections for Bundaberg Regional Council (Department of
Infrastructure and Planning)

   Year                             Projected Population                               The percentage of households with an income of under $500 per
                        Low               Medium                    High               week (31.4%) is significantly higher than that for the whole of
                                                                                       Queensland (20.6%), indicating that the average household in the area
 2011                      95,013                    96,196              97,694        has a lower level of income, so low-cost activities must be provided
 2016                    100,914                    103,762            107,056
                                                                                       Otherwise most population and demographic characteristics are
 2021                    106,855                    111,472            116,697         similar to Queensland (or are not likely to significantly affect sport
 2026                    113,929                    120,453            128,057         and recreation activities).
 2031                    122,260                    130,548            141,324

Figure 2 shows the age distribution of Bundaberg Regional Council’s
population in 2006. With a median age of 41, compared to Queens-
land at 36, the local government has a somewhat older population.
People aged 15-44 are under-represented in the local population.
Figure 3, also prepared by the Department of Infrastructure and
Planning, shows the projected age distribution of the 2031 population
(with a comparison to the 2006 population).
What stands out is the very significant increase in the percentage of
the population aged 65 or more. This group will move from about
17% of the 2006 population to about 26.5% of the 2031 popula-
tion. This means that more than one quarter of the population of
Bundaberg Regional Council will be aged over 65 by 2031. This is
likely to increase the need for walking paths, heated pools and areas
for light recreation (e.g. indoor bowls and card games) as these type
of activities are favoured by older people.

Figure 2: Age Distribution for Bundaberg Regional Council in 2006

  30.00%
                                                                                             BRC
                                                                                             Queensland
  25.00%

  20.00%

  15.00%

  10.00%

   5.00%

   0.00%
               0 to 4         5 to 14    15 to 24       25 to 44    45 to 64      65 to 74     75 and over

                                                                                                                                                                     14
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

Trends in Sport and Recreation                                                  The Play Experience
                                                                                To an adult, play is a way to pass time, with no immediate useful
Sporting Trends                                                                 product. To a child however, play is doing something interesting or
Councils face an increasing trend to develop and re-develop sporting            enjoyable that they are in control of. Through play, children can be
fields to a higher level in order to increase carrying capacity. Up-            anyone, at anyplace, at anytime.
grades, such as field lighting and irrigation, allow training and competi-
                                                                                To a play-planner, play is the outcome of a sophisticated interaction
tion times to be extended and increases the ability of fields to cope
                                                                                between the physical setting, the play opportunities and the child
with the resulting wear and tear. Given the current water challenge
                                                                                users. When carefully planned, a play facility instantly delivers benefits
facing most of Queensland, this strategy may conflict with the re-
                                                                                to the delight of the child users. It can also have wider benefits such
quirement to reduce water consumption.
                                                                                as promoting the child’s physical, emotional and social competencies,
Some sporting clubs have reported a decrease in membership over                 or by providing a community asset for either active or passive enjoy-
recent years. This may well be partly due to an ageing population but           ment. Children at play should be seen as an integral component to
is probably also a reflection of changing lifestyles where employment           any public park facility.
and the greater range of pursuit available makes people reluctant to
lock-in to rigid seasons of sport.                                              What, Where and How do we Play?
Most sporting clubs have good facilities that meet their needs, though          The criterion of a successful play experience is whether children want
there are still requests for facility upgrades to make them attractive          to return. Play experiences need to incorporate many or all of the fol-
to current, and potential new, members.                                         lowing characteristics:
                                                                                •      Physical form—the play area needs to be adapted to the physical
Bundaberg Regional Council’s current sport and recreation facilities                   landscape (rocks, trees, and gullies) and supplemented by man-
have an outdoor focus. What came through the consultation and the                      made variations (mounds, bridges, platforms). It can beneficially
inspections is a need for better indoor facilities.                                    reflect the local sense of place or identity.
There is likely to be some pressure on Council to assist with planned           •      Child and adult participants—consider the local demographics
upgrades as well as new facilities as the groups will be unlikely to                   within the user groups. There is a need to offer separate areas
meet the costs on their own. Obtaining State Government grant as-                      for different age groups (2-5 years, 5-12 years, and 12+ years),
sistance will be important in defraying some of these costs.                           while providing for active adult supervision or for adult passive
                                                                                       watching.
Recreation and Physical Activity                                                •      Safety—the play area should be accessible to all, including the
                                                                                       physically challenged and supervisors with prams. The design
Factors such as age, gender and family life-stage can impact on the                    must incorporate safety standards to prevent traumatic events,
type of activities and frequency with which people recreate. For                       but still provide challenge and invitation to explore.
example, current trends show:                                                   •      Invitational design—this tends to be subtle, so that children
•      walking is the single most frequently undertaken activity across                spontaneously move between play opportunities - exploring
       the Queensland population (32.0%)                                               and discovering, using their imaginations to create new uses for
•      along with walking, aerobics/ fitness, swimming, cycling and                    infrastructure or loose parts (water, sand, and leaves), interacting
       running are in the top five activities for Queensland residents                 with each other and utilising rhythm, movement, co-ordination
•      there is substantially higher participation in informal,                        and balance.
       unstructured activities than in organised sports                         When an area for play cannot deliver on the four points above, then
•      older people are more likely to participate in informal,                 the users will be less than satisfied and will not want to return.
       unstructured activities with young people being more likely to
       engage in organised sports                                               A Play Experience versus a Playground
•      women, older adults, married people (or those in de-facto
       relationships), people in lower income households and obese              A play experience is, or should be, vibrant and exciting—whereas a
       people are less likely to participate in sufficient physical activity.   playground is just the infrastructure that is provided. The difference
                                                                                is somewhat like that between a mountain bike ride and a stationary
Table 2 details the physical activity preferences in 2007 and the               bicycle. More importantly, a play experience does not innately require
changes since 2001.                                                             the installation of structured play equipment. Interesting and interac-
                                                                                tive places to play and explore may be created by designing magical
Table 2: Physical activity preferences of Queenslanders
    Activity                                     Total Participation Rate                  % change 2001-2007
                                               2001                      2007
    Walking (other)                                       28.8                      33.0                     23.7%
    Aerobics/fitness                                      13.0                      20.2                     68.4%
    Swimming                                              16.0                      12.0                    -18.6%
    Cycling                                                9.5                       9.7                     10.6%
    Running                                                7.2                       7.6                     14.8%
    Tennis                                                 9.2                       5.8                    -31.2%
    Walking (bush)                                         5.3                       5.7                     16.6%
    Golf                                                   8.2                       5.6                    -26.2%
    Football (outdoor)                                     3.7                       4.2                     23.9%
    Netball                                                4.1                       3.2                    -15.4%

                                                                                                                                                        15
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

and evocative landscapes. This may include sculpting the earth or uti-
lising the natural contours, planting (for example, vegetated tunnels or
mazes, forests) and/ or utilising various textures and materials such as
creative paving patterns (stepping stones, steps, edgings for balancing).
A play space may incorporate interesting views or vistas, showcase
art or innovation (mobiles and alternate energy sources), sculptural
park furniture, landscape structures or buildings.
Play experiences may incorporate elements such as:
•    storytelling/ sculpture trees
•    labyrinth/ mazes/ tunnels of plants
•    hidey holes
•    mist water play
•    meandering paths
•    meeting places
•    water jets
•    musical play.
The common characteristic in all of these elements is that the infra-
structure suggests (but never dictates) how it is to be used. Moreover,
each element can be used in many ways—common sense says that a
toddler will use a mist water play area quite differently to a 12 year
old child.
Such unstructured play needs to complement and be integrated with
other recreational facilities to encourage active recreation for chil-
dren, youth and adults. Examples include:
•    basketball courts/ hoops
•    play structures/ equipment
•    cycling/ pedestrian networks and skill development trails/ circuits
•    attractive open space areas for ball games etc
•    water play parks
•    surfaces and markings for games such as hopscotch and handball
•    swings for all ages including adults
•    flying foxes/ climbing walls
•    fitness stations/ training equipment.
The images on this page show various forms of play experience, quite
different from the traditional playground.

                                                                                                                         16
SECTION
                                             Demand
                                            Assessment
                                                                                             4
                                Consultation
                                Consultation was undertaken to understand the wants, needs and
                                desires for sport and recreation in the community.
                                Broadly, consultation was undertaken with:
                                •    the community through three, open-invitation, community
                                     meetings
                                •    a survey to clubs in the old Kolan and Isis Shires
                                •    an update opportunity for sport and recreation clubs that
                                     provided information to the 2006 Bundaberg and Burnett
                                     Regional Sport and Recreation Strategy
                                •    interviews with a sample of sport clubs
                                •    a range of Council officers
                                •    swimming pool staff
                                •    various community groups.
                                The results of this consultation are detailed below.

                                Community Meetings
                                Community meetings were held in Bundaberg, Gin Gin and Childers.

                                Bundaberg Community Meeting
                                The purpose of the Bundaberg Community Meeting, as explained
                                earlier, was to revisit the issues, priorities and recommendations from
                                2006.
                                Comments made during the meeting were:
                                •    upgrading the Daphne Eddes Netball Courts—part of the
                                     current court surface needs to be replaced as water is getting
                                     underneath. An improved surface would allow higher level
                                     competitions to be attracted
                                •    the Bundaberg Cycle Group spoke of their ageing facility—it has
Community Meeting in Childers        not been updated since the 1970’s. The facility can only host local
                                     events. It is classed as a track, not as a velodrome, which is what
                                     the Club would like. The Club is in discussions with Council on
                                     improving its facilities
                                •    Council’s limited resources are spread thinly across the Region
                                     making it hard to make a real difference
                                •    facility maintenance is the responsibility of Clubs. While it
                                     can be expensive, it is the Club’s role and clubs should have
                                     an asset management plan in place. Council can assist though
                                     when upgrades (e.g new, better or extended facilities) are being
                                     undertaken. Clubs need to be seeking grants from the State and
                                     Federal governments to assist themselves with new facilities
                                •    facility viability is generally increased through greater usage.
                                     Where appropriate, multi-use facilities should be developed (or
                                     potentially multi-club facilities where a number of clubs build and
                                     share a facility)
                                •    sports field lighting is required in various locations. Along the
                                     coast, lighting needs to be turtle-friendly. A lack of lighting is
                                     holding some sports back (e.g. junior AFL)
                                •    a Sports Advisory Board or similar would assist Council

                                                                                                     17
bundaberg regional council sport and recreation strategy

     understand what is happening in the sporting community                  club has a lease. There was some discussion around needs for car
•    strong support for the Bundaberg to Bargara Cycleway to be              parking and general tidying of the area. It was also suggested that
     developed                                                               the horse stables on Childers Showgrounds could be relocated to
•    as the population is ageing, facilities should recognise this           Appletree Creek. One activity that struggles for area at Appletree
     growing demographic                                                     Creek is polocrosse and it was suggested that they may fit on the
•    the club sector needs the skills to manage their activity and           airport site—they need 4ha of land.
     the club’s operations. Skill upgrading in governance, volunteer
                                                                             Clubs are finding it difficult to meet all government and legal require-
     recruiting and retention, club management and others are
                                                                             ments and generally remain viable. It was suggested that there should
     required. A comment was also made that there are too many
                                                                             be fewer, stronger clubs, to meet these challenges.
     clubs and some consolidation needs to take place
•    communication from Council on relevant matters was rated well.          Heating of the Isis pool to extend the season was supported. The
Comments concerning open space and parks included:                           pool is well used now but activities could continue further into the
                                                                             season if the water was heated.
•    a brochure and map detailing what facilities are provided in each
     park would greatly assist new residents                                 Other discussions concerned:
•    playgrounds should be shaded                                            •    more footpaths are needed in parts of Childers
•    safety lighting in parks should be considered.                          •    sporting clubs are not sure what support they can get from
Childers Community Meeting                                                        Council or the State government and do not get regular mailings
                                                                                  (or emailings) from Council
A well attended community meeting in Childers discussed many                 •    the indoor sports stadium gets limited community use as
aspects of sport and recreation but one of the early themes was the               access has to be arranged through the School. Council needs to
lack of land available for sport and recreation in the town. It was               formalise an agreement with the School to get community use.
noted that there are no large or signature parks and, generally, a lack
of parks.                                                                    Gin Gin Community Meeting
Given the topography of the town (i.e. hilly) it is difficult to find flat   Early discussion in this meeting was about access to and facilities
areas for field sports. The Isis Airport, about 6 kms to the east just       at major water areas. Paradise Dam has part of its boundary with
off the Bruce Highway is reasonably flat and there is sufficient land        Bundaberg Regional Council and this section provides a “natural”
here for future field sports. The site has been cleared in the past but      camping experience (no change was requested). Of more concern
there has been some regrowth that would need to be cleared again.            was getting shared use of Bucca Weir with the Bundaberg Rowing
A downside of this site is that there is limited public transport to the     Club. There was significant discussion at the meeting, and also it was
site and cycle access along the highway would be dangerous.                  reported, on the water, about who can use the facility and when.
                                                                             There was not a definitive answer at the meeting but it needs to be
The Childers Showground is the only dedicated sports field in the            established.
urban area and it is used for training and game play Monday to Friday
by either touch football, rugby league, soccer or little athletics as well   Along the Burnett River there was a call for more overnight camping
as general community use. There is little time available in the schedule     facilities and a boat ramp at Smiths Crossing.
for maintenance of the turf. Childers High School has an adjacent field      The Gin Gin Soccer Club plays on fields at the Gin Gin State School.
and through an agreement with Council is available for community             There are some restrictions upon their use of this area, including
use.                                                                         restrictions on marking the fields, building facilities and storing items.
Pony Club activities are undertaken at Appletree Creek where the             The Club does have facilities at Bullyard Community Hall but does
                                                                             not use them. These facilities are about 15 kms from Gin Gin which
                                                                             is, apparently, too far for many parents to take their children so these
                                                                             facilities have not worked for the club (see photos). It was suggested
                                                                             that the Gin Gin Sports Reserve become multi-purpose and include
                                                                             the soccer club.

                                                                                                                 Views of the Bullyard soccer fields and
                                                                                                                 Community Hall

                                                                                                                                                           18
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