Draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2023 - 2033

The Sport and Active Recreation Strategy has been adopted following community input.

The draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, which was on public exhibition from 8 April to 31 May 2024, received 333 community submissions, most of which were in favour of the policy.

At the August Council meeting, Council decided to adopt the strategy.

The Sport and Active Recreation Strategy and Implementation Plan are now finalised.

Consultation has concluded for the draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategy. Feedback in now under review and will inform the final strategy.

What's happening?

As part of our commitment to provide the community with opportunities to be more active and healthier, Council partnered with the Better Cities Group in 2023 to develop a new Sport and Active Recreation Strategy that will guide investment and decision-making over the next 10 years.

The Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2023-2033 will provide direction for the planning, development, and management of Tweed Shire’s sport and recreation facilities for the next 10 years.

We are asking you to review the draft Strategy and Implementation Plan and share your thoughts by making a submission up to 4pm, Friday 31 May 2024.

The purpose of the draft Strategy

The draft Strategy seeks to understand future sport and active recreation needs in the Shire generally, and to identify gaps or surpluses in the existing and anticipated new facilities. It looks to:

• Identify broad community trends throughout Tweed, NSW (and consider QLD) and Australia.
  
  
• Examine participation and facility provision, i.e. emerging sports and activities, changes in participation levels for existing sports and relevant activities, changes in the way sports and recreational activities are being played or participated in, and how this impacts on Council’s planning for facilities.
  
  
• Guide and inform planning for future development and allocation of existing sports and active recreation facilities, and in the provision of new facilities from both new residential subdivisions or as developed by Council.
  
  
• Guide and inform Council’s future management and processes of sport and active recreation land and facilities including: tenure options, fees and charges, cost recovery, signage, facility maintenance and improvements.
  
  
• Guide and inform Council’s existing program and service provision in the sport and active recreation space and identify opportunities to expand and enhance.

Why the draft Strategy matters

• Sport and active recreation are essential for our physical and mental health and central to bringing communities together.
  
  
• The way we participate in sport and recreation has fundamentally changed - we are moving less and have higher rates of obesity and weight related disease.
  
  
• Planning to ensure everyone in the community can easily access affordable places and programs to participate is essential to stop the declining health and well-being of our communities.
  
  
• Regionally, sport and recreation can contribute to economic development through job creation, tourism promotion, infrastructure development, and increased consumer spending.

View the draft Strategy

Who we engaged with to develop the draft Strategy

Over the past 8 months we spoke with the following groups (refer to page 18 and 19 of the strategy for more information) and their input informed the development of this draft Strategy.

• Residents
• Sports Clubs
• Sports Associations
• Elected representatives
• State Government representatives
• Local Government representatives
• State sporting organisations

How we plan to implement the Strategy

The Implementation Plan identifies the actions and key infrastructure that will enable Council to respond to the community’s needs and desires as identified during the community engagement process. The Implementation Plan has been presented as a separate
document to the strategy so that it can be reviewed annually and updated regularly.

The Implementation Plan is in two sections:

• Section 1 includes regional and district actions; and
• Section 2 includes local actions for Council’s 14 local profile areas.

View the Implementation Plan

How to have your say

Step 1: We want sport and active recreation to be more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Review the draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategy and Implementation Plan.

Step 2: Have your say by completing a submission form.

Make a submission by 4 pm, Friday 31 May 2024 in one of the following ways:

Online:

Hardcopy: Download a hardcopy form or request one from one of our Council offices. Then,

• Scan and email to tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au, or
• Mail to The General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah NSW 2484, or
• Deliver in person to the Tweed or Murwillumbah Council offices.

Email: tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au Subject Active Recreation

Mail: The General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah NSW 2484

All submissions must include the contributors name, address, phone and email details (optionally marked ‘in confidence’)

Enquires can be made to: Murray Smith, Manager Parks and Active Communities. Email: tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au. Phone: 02 6670 2400