Sports Facility

Development

Plan

Updated 2018

Contents

Foreword

2

1. About this plan

5

Background................................................................................................................

6

Research......................................................................................................................

6

Community consultation..................................................................................

7

The key principles..................................................................................................

8

Participation.............................................................................................................

8

Community development................................................................................

8

Affordability..............................................................................................................

8

Accessibility..............................................................................................................

8

Equitable usage......................................................................................................

8

Flexibility....................................................................................................................

8

Sustainability...........................................................................................................

8

Value for money.....................................................................................................

8

2. Council policies

9

Council Plan (2013-2017)...............................................................................

10

Growing Brimbank...............................................................................................10

Brimbank Community Plan (2009-2030)............................................

11

Community Strengthening Policy (2014)............................................

12

Social Justice Charter (2012)........................................................................

12

Brimbank Sustainable Water Management Strategy .................

13

3. Community profile

14

Age...............................................................................................................................

15

Areas of disadvantaged..................................................................................

16

Socio economic profile.....................................................................................

16

Implications.............................................................................................................

16

Health in Brimbank.............................................................................................

16

Implications.............................................................................................................

16

Cultural diversity ................................................................................................

17

Implications.............................................................................................................

17

4. Providing sporting opportunities in Brimbank

19

Progress to date..................................................................................................

20

Facility provision..................................................................................................

23

Sporting pavilions...............................................................................................

23

Brimbank’s outdoor and indoor sports surfaces ............................

23

Sports facility distribution............................................................................

23

Brimbank South...................................................................................................

24

Brimbank North....................................................................................................

28

Determining the facilities required for development

over the next 10 years ....................................................................................

31

Strategy 1.1: Optimise the use of

existing sports facilities in Brimbank .....................................................

34

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

34

Strategy 1.2: Develop additional facilities

at existing sports sites in Brimbank...................………………………

36

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

36

Strategy 1.3: Develop new sports facilities........................................

37

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

37

Strategy 1.4: Develop partnership agreements with

neighbouring municipalities and local organisations ..................

38

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

38

5. Addressing current sporting trends and needs

40

Brimbank sports clubs .....................................................................................

41

Sport growth trends.........................................................................................

43

Strategy 2.1: AFL..................................................................................................

43

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

43

Strategy 2.2: Cricket..........................................................................................

43

Priority actions....................................................................................................

44

Strategy 2.3: Tennis..........................................................................................

44

Priority actions....................................................................................................

44

Strategy 2.4: Soccer ..........................................................................................

45

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

45

Strategy 2.5: Netball..........................................................................................

46

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

46

Strategy 2.6: Basketball..................................................................................

46

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

46

Strategy 2.7: Athletics......................................................................................

47

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

47

Strategy 2.8: Baseball .....................................................................................

47

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

47

Strategy 2.9: Softball........................................................................................

47

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

47

Strategy 2.10: Rugby Union..........................................................................

47

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

47

Strategy 2.11 Rugby League.......................................................................

48

Priority actions....................................................................................................

48

Strategy 2.12: Bowls ........................................................................................

48

Priority actions....................................................................................................

48

Strategy 2.13: Badminton.............................................................................

48

Priority actions....................................................................................................

48

Strategy 2.14: Table Tennis...........................................................................

49

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

49

Strategy 2.15: Volleyball .................................................................................

49

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

49

Strategy 2.16: Niche Sports .........................................................................

49

Priority actions.....................................................................................................

49

6. Facility development

50

Facility development matrix........................................................................

52

Pavilion development ......................................................................................

53

Rolling programs..................................................................................................

55

Rolling program priority listings.................................................................55

Rolling program minimum standards.....................................................60

Facility Standards................................................................................................

62

Recommendations

68

Foreword

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 3

Sport plays a key role in enhancing physical, social, and mental health. Participating in sport encourages a person to

lead a healthier lifestyle:

Brimbank City Council recognises the critical role that sport plays in the community and has a responsibility to

encourage participation in sport by planning and delivering appropriate facilities. While such facilities are used by

Brimbank’s sporting associations, clubs, and schools for formal competitions and training, they are important for all

residents and community groups who use them for informal games and play.

It is critical that sports facilities are well planned, well managed, appropriately located, and satisfy the needs of

the Brimbank community. Brimbank residents place a high value on sport and sporting achievement. Increasing

participation in sport and recreation is a key priority for Brimbank City Council.

Brimbank City Council’s Sports Facility Development Plan explores ways to create quality sport and recreation

facilities. The aim of this plan is to give people of all ages and abilities every opportunity to participate in their

chosen activities. This includes giving the entire community an opportunity to be involved by focusing on access

issues for traditionally disadvantaged groups, and by providing facilities that encourage greater participation by

females.

New and updated sport and recreation facilities are an important part of getting more people, more active, more

often. By providing accessible, affordable and high-quality sport and recreation facilities, Brimbank City Council

is offering residents more opportunities to get active and involved in their communities. These opportunities

are critical in assisting with addressing the significant health and wellbeing challenges faced by the Brimbank

Community which have been identified in the recent Growing Brimbank research.

Brimbank City Council recognises and appreciates, the vital role of volunteers in the continued delivery and growth

of sport across the City. Council and recognises the importance of providing gender neutral and universal sports

facilities that encourages participation in a sports club setting.

This Plan provides opportunities for Council to work collaboratively with State and Federal Government, sporting

associations, local clubs, and local communities on essential projects to create new facilities and to redevelop

existing sporting and recreation infrastructure.

Creating new sporting facilities and developing existing sites will address many of the community’s needs.

However, to ensure the sustainability of Brimbank’s facilities, other strategies must be implemented. These include

developing the management of sports facilities, working with sports clubs to improve the current use of facilities,

and identifying opportunities for greater cooperation and co-sharing between clubs.

This Plan is intended to be a live and evolving document that provides direction for ongoing financial commitments

and timely needs-based community facility development. As a result, a current update of this document has been

carried out in 2018 to ensure the direction and priorities that are set out continue to respond to local community

sporting needs.

1. About this plan

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 5

This Sports Facility Development Plan contains a comprehensive strategy for the management and development of sport

and recreation facilities in Brimbank. This Plan identifies the key sporting infrastructure challenges posed by recreation

participation trends and, population and demographic changes in Brimbank, and presents solutions for these challenges

within the constraints of the likely available budget. The scope of this plan includes

• Council owned indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

• Council managed school facilities on Education Department land.

• School facilities where an agreement with Council is in place.

Outside of the scope of this plan are:

• Privately owned sports facilities

• Commercial leases linked to Electronic Gaming Machines

• Leisure Centres

• Golf Courses

This Plan maintains a focus on high-level social and health outcomes. As such it aims to support participation in physical

activity by improving the quality of access to, and the provision and promotion of, sport and recreation facilities.

The overarching aim of this Plan is to identify Brimbank’s sports facility development needs for the next 10 years (2018-

2028) and provide direction on how best to manage the identified gaps of provision.

It is intended as a practical guide that identifies at a high level:

• Key strategic planning issues and policy gaps that need to be addressed, and solutions to be implemented, during the

life of the plan.

• The ongoing annual capital works allocations required to ensure that the redevelopment of Council’s existing sports

facilities, and the development of new facilities, can occur in a timely manner.

This Plan provides an indication of the expected future growth of various key local sports and therefore facility needs.

The findings are based on advice from local sports clubs, associations and the best sports and community growth

projections available at the time of production of this report.

This Plan also aims to:

• Improve the health and wellbeing of the Brimbank community through the provision of accessible sporting facilities

across the City

• Identify current and future sporting trends to ensure the adequate provision of sports facilities in Brimbank in the

future

• Support and encourage sports participation by all

• Develop partnerships with local schools, neighbouring municipalities, and other organisations for the future

development of sports facilities

• Ensure the adequate allocation of resources for the future development of suitable sports facilities

• Provide a rationale and clear framework for the prioritisation of future sports facilities

• Identify new and potential sports facility developments to support the future growth of specified sports throughout

the municipality

• Ensure that Council’s investment in sporting facilities represents value for money.

This Plan is divided into the following six (6) sections:

1. About this plan

2. Council policies

3. Community profile

4. Providing sporting opportunities in Brimbank

5. Addressing current sporting trends and needs

6. Facility development

Brimbank City Council has a strong commitment to supporting and developing sport as an integral part of its broader

community development, health, and wellbeing approach. Council is focused on ensuring that the whole community

can participate in leisure activities, including a broad range of sport and recreation activities. Local-level community

sport is an important focus because of its capacity to promote active, healthy lifestyles and community participation.

6 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Research

This Sports Facility Development Plan was informed by the following research and strategic planning documents:

• Exercise Recreation and Sports Survey (ERASS 2010)

• Physical Activity, Sport and Health in the City of Brimbank (Growing Brimbank 2014)

• Victorian Government Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation (2015)

• Australian Sports Commissions Ausplay (Sports participation data for the sports sector 2017)

• Brimbank Physical Activity Strategy (Draft 2018)

• Mapping Brimbank’s Diversity (Prepared by Brimbank City Council, 2014)

• The Brimbank Atlas of Health and Education (Growing Brimbank, 2014)

• Brimbank City Council’s Plan to Prevent Men’s Violence Against Women, Towards Gender Equity (2015-2019)

• Brimbank Community Profile ID (2016 Census)

• Brimbank Health and Wellbeing Status Report (2017)

• The Brimbank Spatial Map of Physical and Social Infrastructure (2017)

• Outdoor Sports Pavilion Strategy (Prepared by CT Management Group, 2011)

• Energy Park Feasibility Study (Prepared by GHD Consultants, 2011)

• Indoor Sports Facility Strategy (Prepared by SGL, 2011)

• AFL Victoria Preferred Facility Guidelines (2012)

• Brimbank Tennis Strategy (Prepared by InsideEdge Sport and Leisure Planning 2014)

• Western Metropolitan Region Football Facilities Strategy (2015)

• Brimbank Female Friendly Sports Facility Audits (2016)

• Cricket Australia Community Cricket Facility Guidelines (2016)

• Netball Victoria Statewide Facilities Strategy (2017)

• Victorian Rugby Facilities Development Plan (2017)

• NRL Preferred Facility Guidelines for grass roots Rugby League (2014)

• Victorian Government Female Friendly Infrastructure Guidelines (2017)

• Design for Everyone Guide – Sport and Recreation Victoria (2017)

• Brimbank Sports Facility Audits 2017 (individual audits of sports facilities)

• Environmentally Sustainable Design Framework (2017)

• Draft Public Toilet Strategy (2018)

• Urban Forest Strategy (2016-2046)

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 7

Community consultation

Development of this Sports Facility Development Plan has included a significant level of community consultation

and engagement. Consultation with local sporting clubs and the Brimbank community has been ongoing since 2011

and has been a five-stage approach.

Stage 1 - Establishment

The purpose of Stage 1 in 2012 was to

explore both current and projected sports club

membership data and to explore issues and

barriers to the growth of Brimbank sports clubs.

This included club surveys and focus group

workshops with Council’s sports club networks

and sporting associations. The Draft Sports

Facility Development Plan and all supporting

documentation were made available for

community review. A community information

session was also held to provide interested

community members with information about the

Draft Sports Facility Development Plan ahead of

Stage 2 Engagement .

Stage 2 – Engagement

The focus of Stage 2 in 2012 was community

engagement through ‘community discussion

workshops’ and written community feedback.

The workshops featured a presentation

by Council Officers and opportunities for

community members to have input into

the Draft Sports Facility Development Plan.

The sessions were supported by a range of

media and written communications including

advertising in local newspapers, a mail out to

all Brimbank sports clubs, content on Council’s

website, and ‘frequently asked questions’

sheets.

Stage 3 - Development

In Stage 3 in 2012, community engagement feedback was incorporated into the Plan, giving rise to key

amendments as follows:

• A new Facility Assessment Matrix was developed based on detailed feedback. Projects were assessed

accordingly and ranked in order of priority (Refer to Section 6 - Facility Development Plan).

• Sports growth trends were updated to reflect additional data provided by sporting associations and local

clubs.

Stage 4 – Continuous improvement

The fourth stage of reviewing this document

was carried out in 2016. This stage in 2016

included reviewing all sporting trends and

assessing the current sporting needs of the

community to ensure that the priorities set out

in this plan continue to reflect the community’s

needs. Following the review and update of this

document the plan was made available for public

comment prior to finalisation and adoption by

Council.

Stage 5 – Update

The 2018 update considers detailed functional

and compliance audits of sports facilities and

provides the latest affiliated membership

data provided by relevant State Sporting

Associations. This new data has been used to

assess, and prioritise, projects and inform the

Facility Development Matrix and rolling funding

programs currently offered by Council.

Broader participation, facility development

trends and guidelines released by the sports

sector have also been considered in the updated

document.

8 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Providing the community with access to inclusive, well developed sports facilities and pathways plays a key role

in achieving Councils strong commitment to supporting and developing sport as an integral part of its broader

community development, health and wellbeing approach. This provision is underpinned by the following key

principles, which will guide the future provision of sports facilities in Brimbank.

Participation

This Plan and Council’s future provision of sports facilities in Brimbank is underpinned by a desire to encourage the

participation in sports for the overall health and wellbeing of the entire Brimbank community.

Community development

Council aims to promote community growth and development by providing places for people to gather and

participate in a range of sporting activities to encourage participation in physical activity and foster social

interaction.

Affordability

It is important to ensure that sports facilities and activities are affordable so that all sectors of the Brimbank

community can afford to participate in sporting activities. Inclusivity requires the provision of sporting opportunities

for lower income residents. Council is committed to providing low cost sporting opportunities to the community to

ensure that those experiencing disadvantage can participate in sport.

Accessibility

All new and upgraded sports facilities must be accessible to as many people as possible and have a focus on

universal design. Facilities must provide a welcoming environment for all participants regardless of their gender,

age, level of ability, cultural background, or any other differentiating factors that contribute to the diversity of our

communities.

Equitable usage

Future developments must ensure sports facilities are equitably distributed across the City. This will guarantee

fair and equitable access to Brimbank sports facilities for all people and groups within the community. A focus

on creating an equitable distribution of sports facilities and developing physical linkages between them must be

maintained.

A focus on gender equitable facilities is also of high priority to Council. Referring to Council’s strategic document

“Brimbank City Council’s Plan to Prevent Men’s Violence Against Women, Towards Gender Equity (2015-2019)“

whereby “Brimbank City Council commits to a community where females and males are equal and respected.” it is

critical that all sports facilities that are upgraded or built new as planned within this document incorporate gender

neutral design.

Flexibility

By ensuring that future sporting facilities are, where appropriate, flexibly designed, they will be able to be used by a

range of community groups and for a variety of activities.

Sustainability

Environmental and financial sustainability is a key consideration for all future developments. Future sports facilities

will be designed and managed to ensure such sustainability.

Value for money

All recommendations will be have a focus on cost efficiency. Proposed sports facilities will be cost efficient, fit for

purpose, and give value for money for Council and other potential funding providers.

2. Council

Policies

10 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

This Sports Facility Development Plan is aligned to the following current Council Policies and Plans that together

define the direction and objectives of Council.

Brimbank City Council’s Integrated Planning Approach

Brimbank City Council has an Integrated Planning Approach that aligns strategic, financial and operational plans to

achieve sustainable improvements for the municipality and residents. This approach includes long, medium and

short term plans that set the direction for everything Council does.

Community Plan 2009-2030 (updated 2013)

The Community Plan 2009 – 2030 (updated 2013) describes the community’s vision and priorities for the next

20 years and establishes a shared basis for joint planning, service delivery and advocacy. It is the foundation for

Council’s partnership development with community members and groups, service providers, local organisations and

State and Commonwealth Government organisations. The Community Plan is Council’s primary planning document

and all other Council plans and activities relate to this document.

The themes of the Community Plan are:

• Council and the Community Working Together

• Community Wellbeing

• Urban Design and Infrastructure

• Sustainable Environments

Council Plan 2017-2021

The Council Plan 2017-2021 is the strategic document that guides the planning, development, allocation of

resources and provision of services to the Brimbank community. It is directly aligned to the Community Plan and

provides a four year medium term outlook whilst the Community Plan contains the long term aspirations of the

community. The Council Plan informs the development of Council’s Annual Plan and Budget. Both the Annual

Plan and Budget are then actioned through department business plans and then link into individual work and

performance plans.

The themes of the Council Plan are:

• An Inclusive Community

• A Liveable Community

• A Prosperous Community

• An Innovative & Responsive “Community First Council”

Growing Brimbank – The Brimbank collaboration

is a long-term collaborative program between Brimbank City Council, the Australian Health Policy

Collaboration and Victoria University that aims to lift health and education outcomes in the local community.

Through a place-based approach the focus is to apply evidence to interventions to increase individual capability and

community capacity for better outcomes, building on the community strengths.

The results, over time, will inform and influence practice and policy so that as a shared venture policy makers,

service planners and partners providers, funders and residents can work together towards building a more

successful and prosperous Brimbank community.

Using nationally replicable data the program’s three foundation reports provide evidence of priority risks and

correlations with indicators of socio-economic disadvantage; the impacts if unaddressed; and the contribution of

environment, and physical and social infrastructure to support better capability for health and wellbeing and the

fundamental role of community assets in reducing inequity

As such they provide both baseline data for evaluation and indicators of intervention points.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 11

Reports to date and key relevant findings include:

The Brimbank Atlas of Health and Education (2014)

• Factors contributing to poor health and development outcomes in Brimbank are consistently: low rates of people

who meet recommended guidelines for daily fruit and vegetable intake; low levels of physical activity; high

prevalence of male smoking; and harmful behaviours (alcohol and gambling), all of which are associated with

such factors as poor self-assessed health, female obesity, diabetes and psychological distress and ,importantly,

low socioeconomic status.

Physical Activity, Sport and Health in the City of Brimbank (2014)

• The characteristics of the Brimbank community are such that participation rates in physical activity and sport

are relatively low, both with regard to the specific traditional sporting activities examined in the report (7 major

sports but excluding soccer) and also for sport and physical activity in general. Further, the community is not well

provided with facilities for physical activity participation which affects leisure time physical activity at all ages

but particularly important in childhood.

The Brimbank Spatial Map of Physical and Social Infrastructure (2017)

• Features were selected and mapped that promote or hinder health and wellbeing (such as parks and bike

trails); and their numbers, distribution, proximity to residences, roads and schools correlated with health and

development outcomes.

• Areas of socio-economic disadvantage consistently showing stronger correlations with poorer outcomes were

St Albans North – Kings Park and St Albans South – Sunshine North, and that relatively advantaged areas of

Brimbank, such as Taylors Lakes and Keilor Downs, have greater concentration of natural and physical features

(open spaces with trees, bike paths, drinking fountains and parkland area) associated with better health

outcomes.

• There is a consistent pattern of distribution of poor outcomes (such as self-reported poor health, female obesity,

diabetes, psychological distress, men smoking and children who are developmentally vulnerable) in a band

across the PHAs of Sunshine, St Albans and Kings Park in Brimbank.

Together, the first two reports present a detailed regional profile that provides substantial data across a range of

health, education and other social and demographic characteristics. In addition, the reports provide comparative

information showing the extent to which residents in Brimbank are above, below or at a similar level against

National, State and Melbourne averages on a range of measures. The Spatial Mapping report uses geographic

information systems to map the distribution, availability and contribution of significant physical and social

infrastructure to health and education outcomes in the community.

12 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Community Strengthening Policy (2014)

The Community Strengthening Policy 2014 provides the context for Council’s actions and commitment to building

stronger, more resilient communities. It identifies key information that will guide Council’s support for Brimbank’s

individuals and community groups to increase civic participation, and ensure robust, accessible and democratic local

organisations.

In developing this policy Council has identified community strengthening as a way of exploring more engaged,

‘joined-up’ and networked approaches to governance and policy-making.

Council will be guided by the following ten (10) principles when planning and delivering Council services and

activities:

• Availability and affordability

• Accessibility and equity

• Valuing and respecting diversity

• Social and Economic inclusion

• Social connection, wellbeing and lifelong learning

• Valuing community contributions

• Strengthening and valuing community leadership and participation in local decision making

• Informing and responding to the community

• Advocacy and Partnerships

• Continuous improvement and sustainability

Brimbank Social Justice Charter (2012)

The Brimbank Social Justice Charter expresses Council’s commitment to the principles of access, equity, community

participation and human rights. Council is committed to promoting social justice and reducing the factors that

lead to social and economic disadvantage. By working in partnerships with local groups, community agencies and

government departments, Council aims to build upon our existing community assets, strengths and capabilities to

achieve social change, fairness and better outcomes for disadvantaged groups. Council believes that while human

rights are applicable to everyone, our social justice goals especially target the most disadvantaged groups in our

community.

Council’s Social Justice Framework integrates the principles of social justice with major Council policies such as the

Council Plan and Community Plan, multiagency partnerships, community participation, services and initiatives; and

advocacy to State and Federal Governments.

Creating Better Parks Policy and Plan (2016)

Creating Better Parks Policy and Plan informs the improvement of parks and playgrounds in Brimbank. The Plan

ensures that Council meets the needs of existing and future communities by creating an attractive, integrated,

accessible and comprehensive open space network for Brimbank. The Plan ensures well designed park facilities and

landscapes including more trees for shade and cooling, that encourages use of the reserve by all members of the

community. The guiding principles of this Plan align with the Sports Facility Development Plan to ensure active and

passive open spaces are developed in a complementary manner.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 13

Brimbank Sustainable Water Management Strategy (2013-2023)

The Brimbank Sustainable Water Management Strategy is Council’s key strategic document covering water

management measures. The strategy includes the following 2022/23 targets: a 14% reduction in 2007/08 Council

water use and the supply of alternative water for greater than 70% of open spaces/sports fields demand.

Greenhouse Reduction Strategy (2013-2023)

Through the Brimbank Greenhouse Reduction Strategy 2013-2023, Council has committed to reducing its

greenhouse gas emissions by 50% of 2011 emissions by 2022/23.

Climate Change Adaptation Framework (CCAP) (2017-2022)

The CCAP 2017-2022 provides clear strategic direction for building climate resilience within the Brimbank

community and within Council’s services and operations.

Environmentally Sustainable Design Framework (ESD) (2017)

Council’s ESD Framework adopts a range of minimum performance requirements that encourage ESD outcomes,

whilst providing flexibility during design and construction for inclusion of ESD features.

3. Community

profile

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 15

As stated, it is a primary aim of this Plan to facilitate the provision of adequate sports facilities for the improvement

of the overall health and wellbeing of the Brimbank Community. As such, community interests, needs and

aspirations, actual participation trends, and demographic characteristics have guided the development of this plan,

and should inform future sports facility development decisions.

Currently, Brimbank is the third most populated municipality in the Western Region (behind Hume and Wyndham)

with a population of 207,571 and families-with-children are its most significant household type. The inflow of

migrants over many years means that Brimbank has developed into one of the most culturally diverse municipalities

in Australia. Over half its residents speak a language other than English and there are over 160 languages spoken in

Brimbank.

There is a strong acceptance of cultural diversity by Brimbank’s residents and faith features significantly in the lives

of many. The changing migration patterns have led to large increases in residents who affiliate with Non-Christian

religions.

Brimbank is the second most socio-economically disadvantaged municipality in the Greater Melbourne area and the

third most disadvantaged in Victoria. The level of socio-economic disadvantage is also unevenly spread throughout

the municipality.

According to the 2016 Census, Brimbank had 205,741 residents. Half were female, half were male, and of these

residents, almost half were less than 35 years of age (48.7%). Compared with Greater Melbourne and Victoria,

Brimbank had a slightly higher proportion of residents aged under 25 years (32.6% vs. 31.7% for Greater Melbourne

and 31.2% for Victoria) and a slightly lower proportion of residents aged 60 years and over than Victoria, but the

same as Greater Melbourne (19% vs. 21% for Victoria).

From 2018, Brimbank is expected to have grown in population by nearly 13,712 additional people to 221,283 by

2028. By 2028, Brimbank is forecast to have just over 18,774 children aged 5 to 11 years.

This is an expected increase of 1,200 people. The following suburbs of St Albans West, St Albans East, Sunshine

and Deer Park are expected to have the largest increases, with more than 200 extra children of this age in each area

over the next ten years.

A slight increase is expected of secondary school aged people (12 to 17 years of age). Deer Park and Sunshine North

are expected to have the largest increases, with an extra 345 and 257 young people respectively. The number of 12

to 17 year olds in Delahey is expected to decrease by 196 and in Sydenham/ Hillside the decrease is expected to be

138. By 2028, the forecasts indicate that there will be nearly 15,800 residents aged 12 to 17 years in Brimbank.

Tertiary education and independence years age cohort is forecast to experience a small increase (+796) of growth,

however this cohort is likely to see a slight decrease in overall population makeup (-0.3%) by 2028. Sunshine is

expected to have the largest increase, with an extra 607 residents in this age group. The number of 18 to 24 year

olds in Delahey is expected to decrease by 359 and in Taylors Lakes (West) & District and in St Albans East the

decrease is expected to be 117.

The prime working age years of 25 to 59 years is set to increase by approximately 2,647 by 2028 with the largest

increase to occur in the Sunshine area (2,456) and a slight decrease in Derrimut (-577) and Taylors Lakes (West) &

District (-512). A total of more than 102,000 residents in this age cohort are forecasted by 2028.

Brimbank is forecast to experience a gradual ageing of population with a lower proportion of residents aged from 10

to 29 years and a higher proportion of residents aged 65 years and over.

By 2028, Brimbank is forecast to have nearly 47,000 residents aged 60 years and over.

This is relevant in terms of planning for the provision of outdoor sporting facilities because the age groups most

likely to be involved in outdoor, team-based sports are those ranging from primary school age through to 45 years.

Source: “Mapping Brimbank’s Diversity”

Day SE, van Dort PT, Carauana S. Mapping Brimbank’s Diversity. Research and Policy unit, Brimbank City Council. Sunshine (Vic), 2014.

16 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Socio-economic profile

According to the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD), Brimbank is the second most

disadvantaged municipality in the Greater Melbourne area and the third most disadvantaged in Victoria. However,

the level of disadvantage is unevenly spread throughout the municipality. For example, St Albans East is ranked as

in the 5th percentile for the most disadvantaged suburbs in Victoria in comparison with Keilor which is listed as in

the 88th percentile or within the top 12th percent of advantaged suburbs.

Compared to areas with low levels of socio-economic disadvantage (higher IRSD), areas with high levels of socio

economic disadvantage - such as (St Albans East) – these areas are likely to have a higher proportion of people:

unemployed, on low incomes, with low educational attainment, and working in low skilled jobs. These areas are also

more likely to have a higher proportion of households with no access to a motor vehicle and no internet connection.

Implications

Affordable access to sporting activities is vital to the Brimbank community. The provision of facilities that can

be accessed by public transport and activities that are low-cost will enable involvement by some residents that

otherwise would not be able to participate in sporting activities.

The Australian Government Independent Sports Panel 2009 identified that:

Source: Independent Sports Panel, Crawford Report, November 2009.

Health in Brimbank

Compared to other local government areas, Brimbank has the second lowest proportion of people who are

sedentary for at least seven hours a day (24.9%). This is well below the Melbourne average (33.5%). However,

the number of residents who engage in health-enhancing leisure time, physical activity or meet physical activity

guidelines is below the Melbourne average. The prevalence of obesity amongst both Brimbank males and females

is higher than for Melbourne, with Brimbank ranking 8th highest out of 31 Melbourne LGAs. Brimbank also ranked

second highest for child development vulnerability and physiological distress.

Source: The Brimbank Atlas of Health and Education, www.mitchellinstitute.org.au

Recent research completed through the Growing Brimbank program has identified there is a consistent pattern of

distribution of poor outcomes (such as self-reported poor health, female obesity, diabetes, psychological distress,

men smoking and children who are developmentally vulnerable) in a band across the PHAs of Sunshine, St Albans

and Kings Park in Brimbank.

Source: The Brimbank Spatial Map of Physical and Social Infrastructure (2017)

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 17

Implications

Physical exercise is important in disease prevention.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) http://www.aihw.gov.au/risk-factors-physical-inactivity/

Sports facility provision provides opportunities for the community to participate in both informal and formal sports

activities and enables the community to become more active and lead healthier lives.

Currently 22% of Brimbank residents are reported to be participating in organised sport compared to Melbourne

average of almost 50% (Community Profile 2011). Given the comparative poor health of Brimbank residents and

their low participation rate in sport, it is important that Council ensures there is sufficient provision of sporting

facilities across the City for residents to access sports clubs and sporting programs.

It is also important that there is an opportunity for the community to participate in informal sporting activities by

providing sports facilities that allow for unorganised sports participation such as casual and social games.

Cultural diversity

Brimbank is one of the most culturally diverse municipalities in Australia. Over 160 different languages are spoken

across the municipality and more than half the population speaks a language other than English. Brimbank is

a significant Western Region gateway for overseas migrants. In more recent years residents from India, China,

Vietnam and African countries have increased.

Implications

The cultural diversity of the Brimbank community means that there are varied sporting needs to consider when

providing sports facilities in the City. Particular sports have higher participation rates in Brimbank than the state

average. For example, there has been a significant increase in soccer participation in the municipality due to the

overall increase in the migrant population and African-born residents specifically.

Council needs to provide culturally appropriate facilities and programs that cater for this diverse community.

18 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Participation in physical activity - a determinant of mental and physical health. research summary, vichealth. www.vichealth.vic.gov.au

Traditionally, new migrants are more likely to participate in sport if they are able to do so with people from their own

culture. This is particularly relevant for people from emerging communities who want to feel safe and welcome in

their new environments.

CMY 2007 www.cmy.net.au

Council should support these groups by providing facilities that allow for cultural groups to play sport together in

the short term with the aim of integrating them into the wider sporting community in the medium to long term.

It is therefore critical for Council to require existing sports clubs who operate on Council facilities or receive financial

support to become more inclusive and welcoming to the diverse cultural groups in Brimbank.

4. Providing

sporting

opportunities

in Brimbank

20 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

This Plan aims to facilitate the improved health, wellbeing, and community cohesion of the people of Brimbank by

growing and supporting the community’s participation in sport. As such, this Plan outlines strategies to ensure the

provision of sporting facilities and opportunities for community members of all abilities, backgrounds, genders,

ages, and experience. These strategies include both the optimisation of existing facilities and the development of

new sporting amenities, including a regional multi-sport facility.

Progress to date

Since the adoption of the Sports Facility Development Plan in 2012, Council’s investment in sporting facilities has

been significant. Total expenditure on maintaining, renewing and upgrading sports pavilions and outdoor playing

surfaces is in excess of $51 million. A breakdown of the expenditure over the financial years since 2012 is as follows;

Table 1: Sports facility expenditure

Financial year

Total expenditure

2012/2013

$6,393,177

2013/2014

$6,437,914

2014/2015

$10,285,274*

2015/16

$6,517,796

2016/17

$9,293,042

2017/18

$12,437,292

#

Note: *The total expenditure for 2014/1015 includes the Keilor Basketball Netball Stadium project (total project cost of $6.5m, which included

significant financial contributions from both Keilor Basketball Association ($1.2m) and State Government ($650k).

# Planned expenditure based on adopted 2017/18 Capital and Operational Council budgets

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 21

Council has already made considerable progress in dealing with the challenges involved in the provision of sport

and recreation facilities in Brimbank since the adoption of the Sports Facility Development Plan in 2012. The

achievements since 2012 listed below provide a solid basis that will maximise the benefits of implementing the

Sports Facility Development Plan’s recommended actions.

Major Projects

sports pavilion renewals

sportsground

reconstructions

court extension at Keilor

Basketball Netball Stadium

new sportsgrounds

sports facility car park

upgrades

tennis court full

reconstruction

6 7 17

3 2 2 2

sportsground lighting upgrades

22 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Rolling Program Projects

Policies

Sports Facility Hire, Licences and Leases

Agreement Policy (2014)

Community Facilities and Reserves

Allocation Policy (2014)

Community Facilities Capital

Development Policy (2016)

sportsground shade

structures installed

sports grounds with goal posts replaced

sports reserves perimeter fence

upgrades

bin cages installed

sportsground irrigation

systems upgraded

tennis court resurfacing upgrades

sports pavilion kitchen

upgrades

Joint User Agreement on Copperfields College Soccer Pitch

coaches boxes/ players

benches upgraded

storage refurbishments

cricket net

replacements

11 33 9 9

10 8 4 1

26 9 3

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 23

The key findings of the Sports Facility Development Plan, with respect to facility provision, are as follows.

Sports facilities

Brimbank City Council owns and allocates 49 sports pavilions, 79 playing fields, pitches, diamonds, bocce pistes and

greens, 7 indoor courts and 64 outdoor tennis courts.

Sports pavilions

To successfully cater for current and future needs while also actively encouraging more participation and sports

development by residents, there needs to be an appropriate provision of sports facilities (fields, courts, greens

and pavilions) across the City. A pavilion condition audit was undertaken as part of the development of this Plan in

2011 and provided baseline data. Pavilions were audited again in 2017 using a customised facility audit tool which

collected detailed information on the condition, functionality and compliance of sports pavilions.

Key findings and general observations noted across all pavilions are listed below:

• They were generally run down with some reaching the end of their useful life

• Disability access in most cases was poor due to the age of the buildings

• In most cases, upgrading is required to comply with modern standards

• Lacked a good kiosk/kitchen facilities that comply with modern standards

• Amenities not suitable for female participation

While projects that have been delivered since the development of this Plan have addressed these observations,

they continue to be prevalent across Brimbank. Further investment and targeted funding to upgrade sports

pavilions will be required to ensure facilities meet the needs of all user groups.

Brimbank’s sports surfaces

The 2017 audit included an assessment of all outdoor sporting surfaces and collected information on field of play

size, condition, compliance, supporting infrastructure and amenities. Audits were conducted over summer and

surfaces were given a rating which will be used to assess projects against rolling program criteria.

The audits found sports surfaces:

• Were in reasonably good condition and suitable for local community sport

• Required better drainage to support winter activity

• Had poor quality fencing

• Lacked supporting infrastructure such as seating, weather protection, and shade

• Sub-standard lighting to accommodate training in most cases

• Aged or non-existent coaches’ boxes

• Poor quality scoreboards that provide no protection or were damaged

• Poor interchange areas.

As outlined in the ‘Progress to Date’ section, many improvements have been made to Brimbank’s sports surfaces

and associated infrastructure to address the above issues since the adoption of this Plan. However further

investment as per this updated plan is required to ensure the minimum standards of sports surface provision are

delivered across all of Brimbank sports surfaces.

Sports facility distribution

The distribution of sporting facility provision varies markedly across areas of the municipality, with patterns of

distribution linked closely to the era when suburban areas were developed.

24 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

The older Brimbank suburbs, which are concentrated in the southern half of the municipality in the districts of

Sunshine and Deer Park, have a reasonably good distribution of small, single field sporting reserves. Generally, there

is one sporting reserve located within each large neighbourhood precinct within the Sunshine district (Refer to map

on page 25) and the Deer Park district (Refer to map on page 26).

As a result, residents within these areas can comfortably walk to local sporting reserves, with most households

located within a 500m radius of a reserve. The majority of these single pitch sporting reserves have unrestricted

public access. Therefore, spaces for informal sporting activities are locally accessible.

These types of facilities are ideal for community groups and small clubs to provide local sport and recreation

opportunities. There is also particular interest for the use of single field sites from local cultural groups wishing to

play informal games and casually use fields for development purposes.

However, many of the reserves are allocated to sporting clubs that use them most weekday evenings and all

weekend. Therefore:

• It is difficult for local community groups to access the reserves at night or on weekends for a casual and informal

use.

• General public and school access to the reserves is limited to weekday mornings and early afternoons.

Other concerns with single field facilities are that they:

• Do not easily accommodate club growth or the expansion of facilities

• Can be problematic for nearby surrounding residents in terms of noise and intrusion of balls and spectators

• Do not generate economies of scale through the optimal use of pavilions and associated facilities.

Kevin Flint Memorial Reserve (Cairnlea), Balmoral Park (Derrimut) and Bon Thomas (Deer Park) are the three

exceptions in the southern part of the municipality (Refer to map). Developed in recently constructed suburbs,

these reserves comprise multiple playing fields and new, well-designed pavilions.

The St Albans local area draws on reserves from adjoining local areas (Green Gully Reserve and Kevin Flint Memorial

Reserve) to augment what are otherwise sparsely distributed local facilities. Many sporting reserves in the St

Albans Local Area are single sport, single club facilities (Refer to map on page 27).

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 25

Sunshine map

26 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Deer Park map

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 27

St Albans map

28 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Sporting facilities in the north of the municipality, the districts of Keilor and Sydenham (Refer to map), are

principally aggregated at two large sporting reserves: Keilor Park Recreation Reserve (Keilor Park) and Green Gully

Reserve (Keilor). These large reserves consist of facilities for a range of sporting codes and are home to a number of

sporting clubs. These large reserves provide for a broad catchment. Compared to the smaller, single field reserves in

the south, these reserves:

• Enable economies of scale to be generated for associated infrastructure (for example, recycled watering

systems installed at each reserve to irrigate numerous fields)

• Can accommodate large clubs

• Provide flexibility for the expansion of club memberships

• Accommodate a hierarchy of facilities with varying standards tailored to different levels of sport (from local

community based use to premier facilities).

The reserves are of a size that can accommodate indoor facilities, recreational clubs and a range of informal

recreational activities (cycling pathways, kick-about spaces, picnic areas and playgrounds) and are, therefore,

recreational hubs that provide for a broad sector of the community.

Although five smaller sporting reserves also exist in the northern area (including Keilor Recreation Reserve,

Lionheart Reserve and Keilor Lodge Reserve) there is not the local distribution of sporting reserves that is provided

in the south. Most residents in the Sydenham local area are not within a reasonable walking distance of a sporting

reserve and depend on private motor vehicles to access sporting facilities (Refer to map on page 30).

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 29

Keilor map

30 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Sydenham map

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 31

Determining the facilities required for development

Over the life of this Plan, the actual sporting needs of the Brimbank community will continue to evolve as the

population, individual sports, sports clubs, facility standards and community expectations change.

The future facility development needs estimates provided in the tables on the following pages are indicative only.

The intent is that Brimbank’s sporting facility needs should continue to be reviewed and refined over time, through

detailed strategic planning taking into consideration the resources (funding, land, etc.) available to Council. The

estimates for the number of sports grounds, pitches and courts that are required in Brimbank in the future have

been made in consideration of the following factors:

• The popular sports currently being played or are emerging in Brimbank (soccer, AFL, cricket, baseball, softball,

lawn bowls, rugby union, rugby league, hockey, athletics, tennis, netball, basketball, badminton, volleyball, table

tennis)

• The number of clubs, teams and members in each of these sports

• The number of teams and/or players a sports ground, pitch or surface can support

• The principle that there will be no reduction in facility provision for any of these sports

• A common sense approach has been taken in making reasonable estimates - a comparison between what

currently exists and the estimated need gives an indication of the shortfall in facilities for soccer, AFL, cricket,

baseball, softball, rugby union, rugby league, hockey, lawn bowls and athletics. These estimates are conservative

given the lower than average sport participation by Brimbank residents.

• Estimates for tennis, netball, basketball, table tennis, badminton and volleyball are made on population based

estimates. Given the lower than average sport participation by Brimbank residents, these numbers are likely to

be overestimated.

32 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Based on the current trend analysis completed as part of the updated plan, the following tables identify the

estimated current and projected future needs for sporting facilities:

Table 2: Team based calculations – estimate of required facilities

Needs

Sport

Soccer AFL Cricket

Baseball

and

softball

Rugby Union and

League

Hockey

Total number of

Brimbank Teams -

Base Year (2017)

172

108

95

45

14

(includes 7

emerging Rugby

League teams)

0

Current Brimbank

Participation

Penetration Rate

(members / population)

1.1%

1.1%

0.5% 0.2%

0.1%

No growth

Number of teams each

ground or pitch can

sustain (average)

4

4

4

4

Not Available

Not

Available

Year 2027 teams

183

115

101

49

15

0

Grounds or pitches

required by 2027

46

29

25

13

4

0

Current provision

39

26

26

13

1

0

Current need gap

4

1

0

0

3

0

Shortfall by 2027

7

3

0

0

2

0

Table 3: Member-based calculations: required number of facilities

Needs

Sport

Lawn Bowls

Athletics

Total number of Brimbank members - base year (2017)

219

671

Current Brimbank Participation Penetration Rate

0.1%

0.3%

Number of members each ground or pitch can sustain (average)

120

275

Current provision

4

3

Current need gap

0

0

Shortfall by 2027

0

0

Number required to be developed per year

0

0

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 33

Table 4: Total population based calculations: estimate of required facilities

Needs

Sport

Tennis Netball Basketball

Table

Tennis Badminton Volleyball

Total population estimate -

base year (2017)

206,716 206,716 206,716 206,716 206,716 206,716

Projected total Brimbank

population 2027

220,143 220,143 220,143 220,143 220,143 220,143

Number of courts (average)

1 court

per 4,000

people

3 courts

per 30,000

people

3 courts

per 30,000

people

Not

Available

Not

Available

Not

Available

Year 10 number of courts

required

55

22

22

Not

Available

Not

Available

Not

Available

Current provision

64

18

23

Not

Available

Not

Available

Not

Available

Current need gap

0

4

0

Not

Available

Not

Available

Not

Available

Shortfall by 2027

0

4

0

Not

Available

Not

Available

Not

Available

34 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Strategy 1.1 Optimise the use of existing sports facilities in Brimbank

One of the most cost effective and practical options in addressing the gaps in sporting facility provision is to

optimise the use of existing facilities. There are currently sporting fields and courts within the municipality that

are not used to an optimal level. A common reason for this is that the facilities in their current condition or level of

development do not support optimal use, i.e. they lack or have inadequate lighting or poor-quality pavilions and

surfaces.

Measures to optimise fields and courts allocation and to encourage improved levels of use by existing clubs are

described further in this section. Identified projects for optimising use of sports fields and courts are identified

below and included in further detail within this plan.

Priority actions

This plan provides opportunities for Council to work collaboratively with State and Federal Government, sporting

associations, local clubs, and local communities on essential projects to create new facilities and to redevelop

existing sporting and recreation infrastructure.

It is recognised that both State and Federal Government will have changing priorities throughout the life of this

Plan. It is Council’s role to understand these priorities and ensure that the programs and activities delivered to the

local community reflect the current agenda of various levels of government whilst also tailoring programs to cater

for the trends experienced by the community at a local level.

There are some very poor quality sporting pavilions that limit the use of existing reserves. Upgrading these pavilions

would help to optimise the use of the associated sporting fields. Pavilion upgrades are required at:

• Errington Reserve

• More Park Reserve

• Lloyd Reserve

• Lionheart Reserve -Tennis

• JR Parsons Reserve - Tennis

• JR Parsons Reserve - Football/ Cricket

• Green Gully Reserve - Tennis

• Keilor Park Reserve - Soccer

In addition there are many sportsgrounds without any supporting infrastructure such as change rooms

and pavilions, or with very poor standard change room facilities not suitable for supporting female or junior

participation. New pavilions or female friendly change room upgrades/ installations are required at:

• Keilor Park Reserve Softball Pavilion – change room upgrade

• Keilor Park Reserve Sports Pavilion – change room upgrade

• Delahey Reserve – new pavilion

• Bon Thomas – new pavilion

• Talintyre Reserve – new pavilion

• Diamond Reserve – new pavilion

• Selwyn Park Reserve – new sports change rooms

• Keilor Park Reserve Synthetic Soccer pitches – new sports change rooms

• Keilor Park Ovals 2,3,4 and 5 – new sports change rooms

• Robert Bruce Reserve– change room upgrade

(NOTE: the pavilion and change room upgrade projects should be in accordance with the facility standards and priority order listings as

outlined in Section 6.)

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 35

In addition Council has 20 sports grounds without sportsground lighting which restricts their use to day light hours

only, meaning the installation of sports ground lighting at these grounds has the ability to significantly increase the

capacity of Brimbank sports grounds at minimal cost compared to building new sports grounds. There are also 17

sportsgrounds/courts requiring sports ground lighting upgrades to maximise the use of the grounds.

Allocation of facilities

It is important that facilities are optimally used and allocated to users fairly and equitably. It is also important that

the amount of time the facilities are used for does not exceed the carrying capacity.

In 2014 Council adopted the Community Facilities and Reserves Allocation Policy and Guidelines (Major Policy) for

sports facilities, completing recommendation 10 of the adopted Sports Facility Development Plan 2012. The policy

and guidelines ensure a fair, equitable and consistent approach to allocating sports facilities to the community.

The Sports Facility Hire, Licenses and Leases Agreement Policy and Operational Guidelines were also adopted in

2014, completing Recommendation 11 of the Sports Facility Development Plan 2012. This policy encourages all

sports clubs who are using Council’s sports facilities to facilitate a shared approach. The fees and charges structure

included within this policy aims to address the costs of managing and maintaining sporting facilities through fair

and reasonable charges for use. The fees and charges system also provides discounts on license fees to sports clubs

who are targeting various underrepresented groups within the community, for example females, juniors and newly

arrived individuals and groups.

Recommendation 12 of the Sports Facility Development Plan 2012 was completed with new lease and licence

agreements entered into with all Brimbank sports clubs, apart from a minority of clubs with current existing leases.

This has ensured all Brimbank clubs have a current usage agreement with clear responsibilities, which encourages

shared use of Brimbank facilities.

Management of facilities

There is high demand from other non-sporting community groups for access to community facilities. Sports

pavilions will be considered as community facilities. While the principle purpose of a sports facility is supporting

community sports activity, there is also the potential to accommodate community, cultural and leisure activities that

are not sport related.

Brimbank sports pavilions will be designed and developed to maximise multi-use opportunities through the

inclusion of, at a minimum, a community room. Local community groups and resident sports clubs could use this

room. The Facility Development Standards outlined in this document include the provision of community meeting

rooms in sports pavilions.

As part of this shift towards improving access to sports facilities for further community use, Council reviewed all

sports clubs leases and licences in 2014 and has introduced a new agreement with sports clubs who utilise spaces

that can be shared by other community groups. This initiative encourages further multi-use and shared use of

Brimbank facilities.

Maintenance of facilities

It is important that sports clubs contribute to the maintenance of the facilities they use by way of a fair fees and

charges policy. This policy recognises and rewards groups that are making efforts to provide multi-use access to

facilities.

Capital contributions

Council is responsible for providing the core components of a pavilion. Often, clubs will request non-core

components such as bars, function areas and gymnasiums be provided. Council will not fund these facilities.

The clubs may be permitted to develop the facilities subject to negotiation and agreement with Council.

Recommendation 11 of the Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated) 2016 was completed with the development

of the Community Facilities Capital Contribution Policy (2016) which:

• Provides a transparent and consistent policy that clearly defines Council and community group responsibilities

towards the capital development of Council owned or managed community facilities; and

• Ensures efficient and effective use of Council and community resources to maximise the capital development

and use of Council community facilities.

36 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Club development

Further work with local sporting clubs is required to improve the management and use of existing facilities. Club

development will result in more effective management and use of existing sports facilities and promote closer links

between clubs and their local communities. It is therefore proposed to:

• Continue work with local sports clubs, which focus on club development, to ensure current facilities are managed

and used at optimal levels. Particular emphasis will be placed on encouraging local clubs to work more closely

with target groups such as females, newly arrived residents, various cultural groups, juniors and people living

with disabilities.

Strategy 1.2: Develop additional facilities at existing sports sites in

Brimbank

This approach focuses on developing new facilities at existing sites to cater for current and future needs.

Priority actions

There are only a number of selected existing sporting reserves that can spatially accommodate additional sporting

facilities. These are:

• Green Gully Reserve

• More Park Reserve

• Keilor Lodge Reserve

• Bon Thomas Reserve

• Sasella Park Reserve

• Keilor Park Reserve

The recommended projects include the development of new pavilions and playing surfaces as required (refer

to Section 6 - Facility Development for a list of projects). The standards to which the new facilities should be

developed are outlined in Facility Standards, Section 6 of this plan.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 37

Strategy 1.3: Develop new sports facilities

In addition to the measures outlined above, a Regional Multi-Sports Facility is also required to accommodate local

community sporting needs in the future.

Priority actions

Development of a Regional Multi-Sports Facility.

This facility is necessary for the following reasons:

• As described earlier, there are numerous single field reserves in the south of Brimbank that provide for smaller

sporting clubs, casual use and development pathways.

• A Regional Multi-Sports Facility would give the sports clubs and groups currently using single field sites the

opportunity to further develop by moving to a larger, regional venue with a range of sporting facilities. This

would free up the single fields for groups that currently do not have access to sports facilities and allow growth

in casual sport participation.

• A Regional Multi-Sports Facility would accommodate a range of sports at the one location and provide for various

levels of competition.

• Sports such as tennis, basketball and netball and volleyball, which tend to operate from a site with multiple

courts, could be located at the regional facility.

• A Regional Multi-Sports Facility would provide Council with the ability to provide playing surfaces that are flexible

in use and capable of supporting modified sports such as futsal.

• A Regional Multi-Sports Facility could accommodate a ‘premier league’ standard soccer venue. This venue could

be used for competition by the clubs in Brimbank that participate in the premier league competition.

• The venue would remove the pressure to develop higher standard facilities, such as grandstands and media

boxes, at the local reserves that are currently used for premier league competition

• Reduce the neighbourhood amenity issues which arise from the staging of premier league games at local

reserves in residential areas.

A Regional Multi-Sports Facility should have the following attributes:

• Accessible to the majority if not the whole of the municipality

• Supporting infrastructure to cater for a large number of participants at the one time, including access to public

transport, ample car parking, seating, lighting, toilets, shade etc.

Sydenham Park and Bon Thomas Reserve have been suggested as potential sites in the past. However neither

of these reserves currently have good access to public transport and Bon Thomas is located in a residential area.

Further, given the current distribution of sporting facilities across the City, a regional multi-sports facility in the

medium term would be best situated in the south of the municipality. Sunshine Energy Park is the only site in the

south of the municipality that has the attributes to accommodate a regional multi-sports facility. It is suitably sized

and accessibly near the Western Ring Road, Western Highway and bus and train routes.

An investigation into the feasibility of developing a Regional Multi-Sports Facility at the Energy Park Site has

previously been undertaken. The investigation confirmed that the site could accommodate the facility, however

there are considerable ground rehabilitation works required onsite to address and resolve a range of contamination

issues prior to the development of sports infrastructure at Energy Park. Although the rectification works may mean

there is a delay in developing the site, it is imperative that a master plan for the site is prepared to identify the

opportunities and to further develop an implementation plan for the site. This will assist in reviewing the resources

and timelines allocated to this project for future council budget preparations and discussions.

A medium to longer term option for a secondary large sporting precinct to meet the future demand for sport in

Brimbank is Sydenham Park. Council is working with the community to develop a Master Plan for the site in 2018

to determine the most appropriate future use of the site. This Master Plan will determine the amount of space

available at the site for future development for sports grounds.

38 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Strategy 1.4: Develop partnership agreements with neighbouring

municipalities and local organisations

This Plan provides opportunities for Council to work in partnership on essential projects to create new facilities and

to redevelop existing sporting and recreation infrastructure.

Priority actions

Create partnerships with local schools

Sports facilities at local schools could potentially be used as training and competition venues for sports clubs and

community groups in Brimbank.

The benefits of developing partnerships with local schools include:

• Enabling Council to cost-effectively provide a larger amount of training and competition venues for sports clubs

and groups,

• Building relationships between local sports clubs and schools and providing an easy pathway for students to join

clubs,

• Strengthening the relationships between Council and schools in Brimbank,

• Provide a cost effective way to deal with ongoing maintenance and facility development requirements to suit

both Council and local schools.

There are a number of ways in which partnership agreements between Council and local schools can be achieved.

These opportunities may provide access to a number of sports surfaces for training and/or competition on

weekends. The arrangement may include Council assisting in the provision of funding toward the development or

enhancement of sporting facilities on Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) land, and

assisting with the maintenance of existing school sporting facilities. In return for this support, the schools would

provide the community with access to their facilities when not required for use by the schools.

Currently, Council has formal DEECD Joint Use Agreements (JUA) with two schools as well as community access to an

additional six schools which contributes to achieving Recommendation 3 of the Sports Facility Development Plan

(Updated 2016). The most recent JUA is in place at Delahey Reserve which borders Copperfield College, in which

the soccer pitch on school land is maintained by Council and Council has installed sportsground lighting in return for

community access out of school hours.

There are a number of opportunities for Council to pursue further agreements with a number of schools in return

for use of the associated sports facilities.

There are over 60 schools throughout Brimbank that Council could approach in the future to discuss joint use

arrangements with Council for community access to their existing and proposed sports facilities.

However, it is important to note that there are some limitations to partnerships with local schools. Factors inhibiting

access to school facilities are as follows:

• Some of the facilities may not be suitable for competition or even training, without investment in additional

infrastructure (e.g. sportsground lighting).

• Some sports, such as netball and tennis, can require a cluster of courts to successfully run a competition. Most

school sites may have one or two courts; these can be suitable for training purposes but do not serve as sites

that can hold anything other than training or small competitions.

• Some schools have concerns with security when allowing facilities to be used by the broader community.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 39

There is also an opportunity to further develop partnerships with local schools that have developed spaces as part

of the $16.2 billion Building the Education Revolution (BER) Program (2010). This program aimed at modernising

schools through the delivery of necessary infrastructure. This included the development of sports halls and spaces.

An important part of the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element is the requirement for schools to make

their facility available to the community at low or no cost. This is a requirement of the Commonwealth Government

under the guidelines.

There are a number of schools in Brimbank that have received funding to construct sports halls and indoor courts

through this program. Five full size courts have been built; these facilities would be suitable for competition.

In addition, a number of three quarter size courts and sports halls have been constructed. They are suitable for

netball and basketball training, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and futsal practice and, in some cases junior

competition.

Create partnerships with other local organisations

Local businesses and other organisations may be interested in contributing to the provision of sporting facilities

or allowing community access to their facilities. Examples of these organisations include Universities and Health

providers.

Create partnerships with neighbouring councils

Partnership arrangements will be sought with neighbouring Councils to develop sports facilities that address the

sporting needs of Brimbank residents; particularly when the facilities are near the border of adjoining municipalities.

5. Addressing

current

sporting

trends and

needs

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 41

Council is committed to creating sports facilities and developing existing sites to address the community’s sport and

recreation needs.

Brimbank’s sports clubs

Brimbank has over 70 clubs and associations in the following sports

Football

11 (4 dedicated Auskick Centres)

Cricket

11

Bowls

5 (3 are on private land)

Tennis

11

Baseball

1

Softball

2 (associations)

Athletics

4

Soccer

16 (plus 5 clubs on private land)

Netball

2 (associations)

Basketball

2 (associations)

Badminton

0

Volleyball

0

Table Tennis

2 (associations)

Rugby Union

1

Rugby League

1 (emerging)

Dog Obedience

1

Pigeon Club

2

Model Aircraft

1

Model Off Road Car Club

2

Bocce

2

Fly Casting

1

Kabaddi

1

A review of affiliated sports club membership numbers, assessment of current sporting provision, facility condition

and compliance audits and an analysis of future needs and demands was undertaken for the sports listed above.

Further information was obtained in consultation with state sporting associations and Council staff with an intimate

knowledge of local sports trends based on their dealings with local sports clubs on a daily basis.

42 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Casual/Social sport

All research undertaken by the sports sector recently indicates an increase in casual or social sport, and the need for

sporting organisations to embrace and respond to this shift to remain viable.

In 2013, The Australian Sports Commission released a research paper on future sports trends, including the

impact of megatrends – patterns of social, economic or environmental changes that influence sports participation

(Future of Australian Sport: Megatrends shaping the sports sector over the coming decades, Australian Sports

Commission, 2013). The research predicted that individualised sport and recreation activities will continue to rise

and participation rates for many organized sports will remain constant or in some cases decline.

The notion of more people choosing individualised activities over structured sport was reinforced in the latest

participation data for the sports sector released by the Australian Sports Commission (AusPlay). The data showed

individual activities which can be undertaken at a time chosen by the participant such as walking, gym, athletics,

swimming and cycling were the most popular activities for adults.

Female participation growth

The increase in female participation across a number of sports has caught many Local Government Authorities

off guard and has seen staff competing to secure government funding for facility upgrades. Brimbank has been

proactive in this space by undertaking universal design audits of sporting facilities to identify infrastructure needs

that will ensure welcoming and inclusive facilities are being planned and provided. The findings of these audits

have informed the development of the new Female Friendly Facility Upgrades rolling program added to this Plan.

Council has used this information, alongside Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Female Friendly Infrastructure Guide, to

successful apply for change room upgrades from the Victorian Government’s Female Friendly Facilities fund.

Sport and Recreation Victoria recently established a dedicated Office for Women in Sport which will work to deliver

an equal playing field for women and girls at every level of our sport and recreation organisations and clubs. The

Office has been created to implement the nine recommendations from the Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and

Active Recreation and deliver further Change Our Game initiatives to boost participation and create more leadership

opportunities in sport for women.

This growth is expected to continue with the establishment of elite level national competitions and more female

sport being televised.

Niche sports

In addition to the growth in female participation and individual activities, is the presence of niche sports. Niche

sports include a range of lesser known activities such as: bocce, pigeon racing, fly casting, Kabaddi and off/on road

remote control car racing. Niche sports typically appeal to a smaller group of people that are less interested in more

traditional structured sports such as cricket, soccer and basketball.

However, as participation and membership figures show, there is significant interest in these niche sports

in Brimbank (e.g. 345 bocce players across two sites). The older sports community and sections of the CALD

community in Brimbank are being serviced by niche sports, as the profile of pigeon racing and bocce participants is

generally male and over the age of 40.

Although these sports vary a lot from structured sports, most niche sports can share facilities and be

accommodated in multipurpose venues or in a community hub setting. To embrace the potential growth of niche

sports, Council should focus on universally designed facilities that provide flexible programming space in order to

deliver inclusive sporting environments and enhance participation opportunities for the Brimbank community.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 43

Strategy 2.1: Australian rules football

Currently Brimbank based football clubs cater for almost 2,384 players, with a 3.7% increase in the number of

players since 2015. Brimbank currently has the third largest population in the Western Region with an anticipated

growth in the key 5- 39 age cohort to 2025 of approximately 5% (5,200 people). This will result in more players and

create pressure to increase the capacity and utilization of existing venues and the development of new facilities

that cater for this expected growth.

There are 11 football clubs or Auskick Centres in Brimbank. The two large clubs operating in the north (Keilor and

Taylors Lakes) continually struggle to accommodate high player numbers due to insufficient facilities.

Clubs in the southern part of the City have fewer teams and some have lower player numbers but are experiencing

similar issues around facility condition and capacity, which inhibits their ability to keep and attract participants.

There is also a high number of single sports ground sites and the popularity of other sports such as soccer

competing for the use of these spaces.

The southern area has a high concentration of young people and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)

communities. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data indicates that most of the growth in AFL numbers is

occurring in 5-14 years age group. Therefore, demand in the southern districts will remain high in the short to

medium term.

Australian Rules Football is experiencing significant growth in female participation which is reflected in Brimbank,

with almost 400 female footballers registered with local clubs or Auskick Centres. Female participation growth in

football places further demand on upgrading facilities with unisex change rooms to support female use.

There are currently four dedicated Auskick Centres catering for a total of 559 participants.

Priority actions

• Pavilion and ground upgrades are needed to assist clubs to increase participation and meet demand.

• A focus on creating appropriate facilities for female participation is a high priority; this should include change

room and amenities spaces suitable for female players, umpires, officials and spectators. An emphasis on

creating welcoming environments for all genders should be implemented throughout the universal design

process.

Strategies to address the facility requirements are outlined in Section 4 of this Plan.

Strategy 2.2: Cricket

Brimbank has 11 cricket clubs using facilities across the City with a combined player base of 1,137. Cricket Victoria

identifies junior participation as the greatest area of growth and have introduced a new user friendly junior format

that enables multiple matches to be played on a single ground, maximizing the use of facilities.

Increases in cricket participation in the southern districts can be expected due to the concentrated percentage of

young people and CALD communities in this area. Female participation in cricket, especially by primary school age

girls, is also growing. Cricket is sharing in the benefits of female facility upgrades with football due to the traditional

shared facility arrangements of these two sports.

Cricket Victoria identified a significant change in how the game is played , with associations responding to demand

for mid-week matches and Sunday morning competitions. There has also been an increase in winter competitions

which is creating further challenges with access to fields and playable pitches. Brimbank is experiencing this growth

with many groups wanting to play cricket on sports grounds across the municipality in competitions throughout the

winter season.

Cricket Victoria also reported a noticeable increase in participation triggered by an increase in residents from South

East Asian communities. The 2016 Census identified 93,000 people who were living in the City were born overseas.

Approximately 9,200 were from India where cricket is considered their national game.

44 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Priority actions

• A continued focus on creating gender neutral facilities to encourage female participation is a high priority for

cricket; this should include change room and amenities spaces suitable for female players, umpires, officials

and spectators. An emphasis on creating welcoming environments for families should be implemented through

universal design.

• Further consideration should be given to increasing the number of synthetic cricket wickets on offer around

Brimbank to cater for an increase in winter cricket.

Strategies to address the facility requirements are outlined in Section 4 of this Plan.

Strategy 2.3: Tennis

Brimbank currently has 11 tennis clubs with a total membership base of approximately 1,600. Following the

completion of the Brimbank Tennis Strategy in 2014 it was concluded that there is an increase in the need for casual

use of tennis courts. This is consistent with the sports direction as Tennis Victoria acknowledges that their game,

structures and formats need to change to keep pace with community needs and influences.

Casual use of facilities is a barrier to participation in tennis. This is being addressed with the implementation of

Tennis Victoria’s “Opening Up Tennis” program being funded by Council. This program consists of an Online Court

Booking System (Book a Court) which provides hardware at the entry of tennis facilities that enables casual users

and members to book and pay for a court online. Council currently has six venues on Book a Court with more planned

in the future.

Council’s industry award winning In2Tennis program also aims to activate facilities and increase participation

opportunities by offering free activities for the community.

The tennis strategy did not identify the need for any new additional courts throughout the life of this Plan, however

the strategy has identified upgrade works to existing tennis courts and sports lighting infrastructure to support the

ongoing development and participation of the sport. These projects have been included and prioritised within this

document.

ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is the junior development program for the sport and continues to attract significant partici

pation numbers. Council has recently installed its first Hot Shots Tennis Court in a passive park. The installation at

the Lakes Reserve in Taylors Lakes have proven to be very popular. The ongoing development of dedicated Hot Shot

sized courts at clubs and in parks should be further investigated.

Priority Actions:

• The carrying capacity of existing tennis facilities should be increased by way of upgrading existing courts and

lighting infrastructure or introducing new sports lighting where appropriate.

• The ‘Book a Court’ online booking system and gate/light access should continue to be installed at several

facilities to increase casual use of tennis facilities throughout Brimbank.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 45

Strategy 2.4: Soccer

Brimbank has 21 soccer clubs (16 on Council land and 5 private land) and over 2,400 players. Soccer continues to be

a highly participated sport within Brimbank with many facilities unable to cater for additional participants. As the

popularity of soccer and the population of Brimbank continues to grow, there will be a need to upgrade existing

facilities and plan for the development of new facilities in key growth areas.

There is strong demand for soccer facilities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups in the southern

districts of Brimbank. Many of these groups are playing informal matches but may transition into competition soccer.

It is likely that these groups will request regular access to playing fields and pavilions in the future, adding to the

already high demand on existing facilities.

In addition, an emerging trend of casual use of soccer pitches by various community groups has evolved. This

involves groups wanting access to soccer pitches at peak times for casual use rather than organized and structured

competitions. These groups are also looking for access all year round rather than on a seasonal basis.

Council’s Leisure and Community Facilities Department is working with various cultural groups within the

community to manage the development of teams and clubs and find facilities to accommodate their needs now

and into the future. A successful example of this is the development of the Community Soccer Hub at Selywn Park

Reserve which now provides a range of semi-formal through to competition opportunities for newly arrived and

CALD residents to assist them in the transition into formal competition.

In a response to some of the emerging participation trends, Football Federation Victoria have developed additional

competitions to support growth in female participation and social competitions, these include;

Women National Premier League (WNPL)

The Women’s National Premier League (WNPL) serves as the second tier elite competition for females, supporting

the growth of female soccer participation and providing a pathway to the elite level. In the past, only male players in

Brimbank have had a defined pathway focusing on elite player development through the existing National Premier

League (NPL) competition.

The extended seasonal requirements of the NPL and WNPL puts additional pressure on facilities and reduces the

time available in the off season for pitch maintenance, which without careful management by the club will result in

a decrease in the quality of surfaces. Currently, Brimbank has five clubs with female teams. There is one club (Calder

United) who currently holds a license for the WNPL competition.

Summer 7’s

The recently introduced Summer 7’s competition is a social format involving 7 players on each team playing on a

modified, smaller pitch throughout the summer period. The emphasis of this competition is fun, fitness and social

benefits that is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. This format does not necessarily place additional demand

on infrastructure but the additional access requirements may pose a challenge for Council.

Priority actions

• A focus on increasing the capacity of existing facilities through field lighting and surface upgrade projects,

investigating opportunities for new synthetic surfaces and creating appropriate facilities for females are high

priorities; this should include change room and amenities spaces suitable for female players, umpires, officials

and spectators. An emphasis on creating welcoming environments for all genders should be implemented

throughout the universal design process.

• Further consideration into implementing synthetic pitches that could cater for club and casual use by community

groups is required in future leisure planning projects.

• Upgraded and new soccer facilities based on the strategies identified in Section 4, will be required based on

projected need.

46 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Strategy 2.5: Netball

Brimbank is located in the Western Metropolitan Netball Region alongside Hobsons Bay, Melton and Wyndham.

These LGAs have a combined netball membership of approximately 4,800. A recent provision ratio analysis

undertaken as part of the Netball Victoria’s Statewide Facilities Strategy identified a shortage of 22 outdoor courts

and 35 indoor multi-lined courts in Brimbank.

Brimbank has one netball association, the St Albans Caroline Springs Netball Association which is based at Keilor

Basketball Netball Stadium and is one of the largest netball associations (1,834 members) within metropolitan

Melbourne and operates from various sites in and around Brimbank.

There are 12 courts available at local schools throughout Brimbank. Seven of these courts are being used by the

local association.

The upgrade of the Keilor Basketball Netball Stadium to include three additional courts (six in total) lined for netball,

provides a greater opportunity for the associations to develop competitions to increase its capacity. Brimbank

residents are also using netball venues located in neighboring municipalities. It is also important to note that

demand estimates may be high as they are based on population based estimates.

Netball Victoria have embraced the need to cater for more social and fast paced netball by introducing modified

games and programs including rock up netball, Fast 5 Netball and Netacise. Facilities will be required to respond to

these formats in the future.

Priority actions

• Council should undertake an Indoor Courts Feasibility Study that also considers indoor facilities in surrounding

Municipalities to determine the need for additional netball facilities in Brimbank to cater for existing and future

demand; this may include any future developments at Energy Park, Sunshine. The preferred facility model

for netball is 4-6 courts at one location with provision for both indoor and outdoor courts with lighting and

amenities.

• The Statewide Strategy developed by Netball Victoria also identified improvements and compliance of existing

venues, increased court lighting and better access to schools for training as key focus areas. Council will work

with local schools where there are available courts to initiate training opportunities for local associations.

Strategy 2.6: Basketball

Brimbank has one basketball association in the north (Keilor Basketball Association) located at Keilor Basketball

Netball Stadium. Overall participation in basketball is steadily increasing, particularly in junior age groups.

The Keilor Basketball Association (KBA) is one of the largest associations in the Western suburbs. The association

runs competitions for all age groups from juniors through to senior domestic competitions. The KBA also provides

development pathways for players with representative programs and teams competing within the state basketball

league competition known as Big V.

The Keilor Basketball and Netball Stadium upgrade project completed October 2015 resulted in an additional three

indoor courts that cater to Basketball, this project will assist in addressing current and future demands for the sport.

It is important to note however that demand estimates may be high as they are based on population based

estimates.

Priority actions

• Council should undertake an Indoor Courts Feasibility Study that also considers indoor facilities in surrounding

Municipalities to determine the need for additional basketball facilities in Brimbank to cater for existing and

future demand; this may include any future developments at Energy Park, Sunshine.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 47

Strategy 2.7: Athletics

There are four athletics clubs in Brimbank (two senior athletics and two little athletics). These clubs combined have

671 participants and use two formal athletics tracks and a football oval.

Athletics Victoria has indicated that participation in athletics has remained relatively stable in recent years and no

significant rises or declines are anticipated. The two formal tracks in Brimbank are sufficient to meet current and

future demand.

Priority actions

None required.

Strategy 2.8: Baseball

There is one baseball club with a membership base of approximately 200 and 2 baseball diamonds in Brimbank.

Baseball has stable participation rates. Two diamonds are capable of catering for current and future demand.

Priority actions

• A focus on creating appropriate sports pavilion facilities for female participation is a high priority; this should

include female change room and amenities spaces for players, umpires, officials and spectators. An emphasis

on creating welcoming environments for all genders should be implemented throughout the universal design

process.

Strategy 2.9: Softball

There are two softball associations and 11 softball diamonds. The two associations have a combined membership of

250. Eleven diamonds are capable of catering for current and future demand.

Priority actions

• A focus on creating appropriate sports pavilion facilities for female participation is a high priority; this should

include female change room and amenities spaces for players, umpires, officials and spectators. An emphasis

on creating welcoming environments for all genders should be implemented throughout the universal design

process.

Strategy 2.10: Rugby union

Brimbank has one rugby union club operating within Brimbank. This club has been established since 2013 and

growing steadily with six teams and 180 members. The club has junior teams and a women’s team and an average

membership age 12.6. It is anticipated that the popularity of Rugby Union will continue to grow and within 5 years

have strong senior and junior participation catering directly to the Pacific Islander communities. There is significant

participation in touch rugby over the summer months which is unstructured and informal.

Priority actions

• The Victorian Rugby Facilities Development Plan (2017) identified several key strategic directions for the sport

in the next ten years. Enhancing the quality of existing facilities, plan for the growth of modified rugby programs

such as Rugby Sevens

• A focus on creating appropriate facilities for female participation is also a high priority; this should include female

change room and amenities spaces for players, umpires, officials and spectators. An emphasis on creating

welcoming environments for all genders should be implemented throughout the universal design process.

48 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Strategy 2.11: Rugby league

There is one Rugby League club emerging in Brimbank and there is a high number of Brimbank residents that play

rugby in other municipalities. NRL Victoria has identified Brimbank as a highly desirable area for the establishment

of a new rugby league club, however no suitable sites have been found.

Victoria University Secondary College has established a highly successful rugby academy which has strong

partnerships with Melbourne Rebels and Melbourne Storm.

Priority actions

• Future plans should be made for rugby league facilities after conducting extensive community consultation in

Brimbank to cater for existing and future demand this may include any future developments at Energy Park,

Sunshine.

Strategy 2.12: Bowls

There are currently five bowls clubs within Brimbank, three of which are privately owned. The two clubs operating

on Council land use a total of four bowling greens.

Bowls Victoria reports an increase in participation through pay to play social participation such as barefoot bowls

and corporate activities that many clubs run. It is noted that clubs in other parts of Melbourne have significantly

increased the usage of greens through casual use. This is an area that requires work in Brimbank, however there is

no identified need for additional bowling facilities in Brimbank.

Priority actions

• The development of the Brimbank Physical Activity Strategy (Recommendation 12, 2018) will identify ways in

which community could participate in social sports such as barefoot bowls to enhance this sport.

Strategy 2.13: Badminton

Badminton is particularly popular amongst Asian communities and in recent years Brimbank has seen the

establishment of three badminton groups within the municipality.

There is one badminton club within Brimbank affiliated to Badminton Victoria, based at Cairnlea Primary School, and

two community groups located in St Albans and West Sunshine which are currently meeting the needs of the sport.

Western Badminton Centre at Ravenhall in Melton City Council has recently been established and offers 12 indoor

badminton courts for community use.

Access to courts lined for badminton at the Keilor Basketball Netball Stadium has provided the opportunity to

address the gap in facility provision as well as addressed the gap in facility provision as well as introduce the sport to

school groups.

Priority actions

• Council should undertake an Indoor Courts Feasibility Study that also considers indoor facilities in surrounding

Municipalities to determine the need for additional Badminton facilities to cater for existing and future demand.

• Council will consider providing facilities for badminton when planning new or redeveloping existing indoor

recreation facilities; this may include any future developments at Energy Park, Sunshine.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 49

Strategy 2.14: Table tennis

Table tennis is also popular within Asian communities and as a result there is interest from Vietnamese

communities within Brimbank. Demand for table tennis will continue to grow as the population increases and the

trend of new residents arriving from Vietnam and other South East Asian countries continues.

Brimbank has two table tennis associations operating within the municipality, Sunshine & District Table Tennis

Association, based at West Sunshine Community Centre, and the Vietnamese Table Tennis Association, based at

St Albans Primary School. Both associations make up a 150 person membership base and both associations are

experiencing growth and participation numbers will be monitored to determine future needs.

Priority actions

• Council should undertake an Indoor Courts Feasibility Study that also considers indoor facilities in surrounding

Municipalities to determine the need for additional Table Tennis facilities to cater for existing and future

demand.

• Council will consider the future facility needs of table tennis when planning new or redeveloped indoor

recreation facilities and by securing use of other facilities, with particular focus on access to schools and

community halls.

Strategy 2.15: Volleyball

Volleyball is increasing in participation, particularly within the emerging communities of Brimbank. There is one club

established in Brimbank who access school facilities at Cairnlea Primary School and there is a league that is based

at Gilson College, Taylors Hill. There is no formal volleyball competition in Brimbank, however informal games are

popular within the local Chin and Sri Lankan communities. The introduction of volleyball courts at Keilor Basketball

Netball Stadium has addressed immediate facility needs and supports the development of the sport as well as

introducing the sport to school groups.

Priority actions

• Council should undertake an Indoor Courts Feasibility Study that also considers indoor facilities in surrounding

Municipalities to determine the need for additional Volley Ball facilities to cater for existing and future demand.

• Council will consider providing facilities for volleyball when planning new or redeveloping existing indoor

recreation facilities; this may include any future developments at Energy Park, Sunshine.

Strategy 2.16: Niche sports

The needs of niche sports located in Brimbank, such as Bocce, Fly Casting, Model Aircraft, Kabaddi, Off and On Road

Remote Control Car Clubs and Pigeon Racing will continue to be monitored by Council officers. As the trend towards

informal and less structured activities continues, it is likely that these sports may require minor funding to ensure

facilities are meeting the needs of users.

6. Facility

development

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 51

As discussed throughout this Plan, Council will work to address the identified gaps in the provision of sporting

facilities across the City in a range of ways. These include;

• Optimising the use of existing facilities,

• Developing additional facilities at existing sporting reserves in addition to developing new sports facilities, and,

• Investigating opportunities to enter into partnership agreements with local schools, local organisations and

neighbouring municipalities.

As part of the decision making process for developing sport and recreation facilities, a facility development matrix

is used to assess new or planned sports facility development projects. This enables Council to effectively prioritise

projects, ensuring that all sport and recreation facilities are assessed consistently, and are determined in a fair and

equitable manner.

The matrix will be used to inform Council on future funding submissions and annual budget planning.

The Facility Development Matrix on the following page uses findings from the recent provision, condition and

compliance audits and assesses each proposed project against set criteria with associated scores as set out

below. The total score is listed to identify those projects that are of high priority. Each project is subject to Council’s

budgetary process and will involve the development of a detailed business case as part of Council’s Project

Management Framework.

The matrix has been of great value to date with implementing the Sports Facility Development Plan, ensuring

consistency and fairness in the assessment of proposed projects.

52 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Facility development matrix score system

The matrix as set out below has been developed in accordance with the key principles which will guide the future

provision of sports facilities in Brimbank as stated in Section 1 of this plan.

Inadequacy of current facility Score out of 35

(+ improved local amenity)

Based on:

• Facility Condition report

• Comparison with Sports Facility Development Plan Minimum Standards

• Fit for Purpose Assessment via facility audits

Number of active sports

participants who will directly

benefit.

Score out of 35

Number of teams per year

(including both summer and

winter season) on each playing

surface (either sports ground/

pitch or court.

Sports ground sporting team totals

8+ teams per year = 35

6+ teams per year = 25

4+ teams per year = 15

Court Sports team totals

24+ teams per year = 35

18+ teams per year = 25

12+ teams per year = 15

Club / School using sports ground currently or projected to for training use

1 additional club / school = 5

More than one additional club / school = 10

Council policy objectives

Score out of 20

Sport Development - including

new club/teams for emerging

sports and specific target

groups.

Completed Club Development business plan

The group/club has worked alongside Council’s Leisure and Community

Facilities Department to ensure local community needs are met.

The group /club have met the relative State Sporting Association sports

development requirements in relation to promotion and future participation

opportunities.

The proposed project provides access to sporting facilities for one or more

of Council’s target groups for further sports participation (Groups including:

Juniors, People with a disability, Female participation and participation

opportunities for newly arrived groups and Culturally and Linguistically

Diverse communities).

Value for money

Score out of 10

Savings in maintenance costs

/ External funding (including

capital contribution from club)

Note: An active sports participant is defined as a person normally participating in training and/or sporting competition with a sporting club each

week of the sport season. Individual participants will change during the course of a season but the numbers of participants will remain roughly

the same

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 53

By using this matrix, Council can identify projects to recommend for funding through Council’s Capital Works budget.

This process will also allow Council to establish the projects that are considered as potential grant submissions to

Federal and State Government funding programs.

A facility development implementation table has been developed (see below) based on assessment of all pavilion

projects using the Facility Development Matrix and current sporting needs throughout the community.

2018-2023 (Indicative)

• Errington Reserve – Integrated Sports Pavilion

• More Park Reserve

• Delahey Reserve – Sports Pavilion

• Bon Thomas Reserve - Community Room and additional change rooms

• Lloyd Reserve

2023 -2028 (Indicative)

• Lionheart Reserve – Tennis

• Parsons Reserve – Football/ Cricket

• Parsons Reserve – Tennis

• Green Gully Reserve – Tennis

• Keilor Park Reserve – Soccer

• Talintyre Reserve

2028 + (Indicative and order subject to future review)

• Energy Park – Stage 1

• Sydenham Park - Stage 1 (Subject to outcomes of 2018 Master Plan)

• Keilor Park Reserve – Softball

• Keilor Recreation Reserve – Tennis

• Diamond Reserve

• Barclay Reserve

• Ralph Reserve

• McKechnie Reserve

• Robert Bruce Reserve

• Keilor Park Reserve – Football/ Cricket

• Selwyn Park Reserve – Soccer/Cricket

• Keilor Park Reserve – Tennis

• Selwyn Park Reserve – Tennis

• Dempster Park Reserve – Tennis

• Kings Park Reserve – Bowls

• Delahey Reserve – Tennis

Note: Timing of projects is indicative only and subject to business case development, detailed planning and annual budget processes.

54 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Any future or emerging sports facility projects will be prioritised using the Facility Development Matrix, which has

been developed to guide the allocation of funds to future capital works projects for sports facilities. This will allow

Council to ensure all sports facilities are assessed consistently and prioritised fairly and equitably.

The majority of projects listed focus on cost effectiveness within the “optimising existing” category. These projects

maximise use of existing facilities to increase participation. Such projects include installation of sports lighting

and upgrading existing pavilions, fields and courts. The installation of sports lighting at most reserves will provide

increased access, especially as training facilities, to Council’s existing reserves, and can be a cost effective way to

help promptly address the current gap between required and available facilities.

Due to the environmental factors onsite at Energy Park that need to be resolved, the first step of the Multi-Sports

Facility is the proposed Master Plan in 2018/19 which will then be used to inform the design phase for the site and

identify likely time frames for development. A Master Plan is being conducted for Sydenham Park in 2017/18 to

determine the preferred future use of the site including any land available for future sporting facilities.

As discussed throughout this Plan, Council will work to address the identified gaps in the provision of sporting

facilities across the City in a range of ways. These include optimising the use of existing facilities, developing

additional facilities at existing sporting reserves in addition to developing new sports facilities and investigating

opportunities to enter into partnership agreements with local schools, local organisations and neighboring

municipalities. As part of this Plan, Council is committed to specific sport and recreation Capital Works Program

categories each year known as Rolling Programs. These rolling programs will address other areas of sports facility

development linked to upgrading pavilions, grounds and facilities.

The key rolling programs include;

Female friendly facility upgrades

Upgrade change rooms and associated amenities to encourage female participation.

Kitchen upgrade

Upgrade existing kitchens in Council pavilions.

Sports surface/ground reconstruction

Develop new or upgrade/refurbish sports grounds and courts to community level playing standard.

New sports ground development

Develop new sports ground to community level playing standard including all necessary supporting infrastructure to

Council minimum standards.

Sportsground lighting

Install new or upgrade existing sports lights to Councils minimum standard for the relevant sport on site.

Sports reserves car parks

Upgrade existing or build new car parking located at sports facilities.

Sports ground irrigation upgrades/installation

Install new or upgrade existing irrigation systems at sports grounds across the city.

Sports netting upgrade

Install or upgrade sports netting (Cricket, Baseball, Softball, Athletics) at reserves across the city.

Warm season grass conversion

Convert sports grounds from cool season grass to warm season grass.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 55

School partnerships program

Invest in sports facilities located at school sites in order to develop partnership agreements and access to the sports

facility for use of the wider Brimbank community. A range of investment opportunities may be available, including

upgrading or refurbishment of existing sports surfaces, and maintenance or installation of supporting sports

infrastructure such as lighting, coaches’ boxes, shade or toilet facilities.

Sporting Infrastructure

A range of supporting sports infrastructure at sports sites across the city requires ongoing maintenance and

upgrades. The programs required include;

• Coaches Boxes/Players Benches Replacement

• Shade Structure Installation

• Goal Post Replacement

• Storage Refurbishment

• Sports Reserve Fencing Upgrades

Tennis surface upgrade rolling program

As a result of the Brimbank Tennis Strategy (2014), a list of tennis surface upgrade and renewal projects were listed

following a thorough audit process. This list assists Council in understanding the current condition of tennis court

surfaces across the city. This rolling program will fund Council’s contribution towards a 50:50 arrangement with local

tennis clubs in a new co-funding arrangement for the upgrade of existing tennis surfaces.

Rolling Program Priority Listings

Female Friendly Facility Upgrades

Keilor Park Reserve – Softball Change room upgrade

Keilor Park Reserve -Sports Club – Change room

upgrade

JR Parsons Reserve– Football Change room

refurbishment

John McLeod Reserve – Change room refurbishment

Lionheart Reserve - Change room refurbishment

Keilor Lodge Reserve - Change room refurbishment

Selwyn Park Reserve – New sports change rooms

Keilor Park Reserve - Synthetics – New sports

change rooms

Keilor Park Oval 2- New sports change rooms

Robert Bruce Reserve - Change room refurbishment

Keilor Park Oval 5 – New sports change rooms

Ralph Reserve - Change room refurbishment

Kevin Flint Memorial Reserve - change room

refurbishment

Kitchen Upgrades

Ralph Reserve

Sasella Park Reserve- Tennis

Carrington Reserve - Offroad Cars

Dempster Park Reserve - Tennis

Barclay Reserve - Baseball

Robert Bruce Reserve

Kings Park Reserve -Bowls

Selwyn Park Reserve - Cricket/Soccer

Green Gully Reserve - German Shepherd Dog Club

Keilor Recreation Reserve - Football/Cricket

John McLeod Reserve

Lionheart Reserve Football/Cricket

56 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Sports Surface/ Ground Reconstruction

McKechnie Reserve - Pitch 1

Errington Reserve - Tennis Courts

Errington Reserve - Oval

JR Parsons Reserve - Tennis Courts 3 & 4

Barclay Reserve - Diamond 1 (Synthetic)

Keilor Lodge Reserve- Pitch 3

Ardeer Reserve - Pitch

Green Gully Reserve - Oval

Delahey reserve - Oval

Keilor Park Reserve - Pitch 1

Keilor Park Reserve - Soccer Synthetics

Tallintyre Reserve- Oval

John McLeod Reserve - Oval 1

Keilor Park Reserve - Pitch 2

More Park Reserve - Diamond 1

Selwyn Park Reserve - Courts 5 & 6

Keilor Park Reserve - Courts 3&4

Barclay Reserve - Diamond 2

Keilor Park Reserve- Diamond 1 (Synthetic)

Green Gully Reserve - Courts 7 & 8

New Sports Ground Development

Green Gully Reserve -Oval 2

(plus all supporting infrastructure)

More Park Reserve

Keilor Lodge Reserve - Pitch 4

Energy Park (plus all supporting infrastructure)

Keilor Park Reserve

Sasella Park Reserve – Pitch inside of Athletics Track

Bon Thomas Reserve - Pitch 3

Sydenham Park (plus all supporting infrastructure)

Sports Ground Lighting

Ainsworth Reserve

Ralph Reserve

Churchill Reserve - Pitch 3

Keilor Lodge Reserve - Pitch 3

Ardeer Reserve

Larissa Reserve

Keilor Park Reserve - Soccer Pitch 1

Keilor Park Reserve - Soccer Pitch 2

Green Gully Reserve - Pitch 2

JR Parsons Reserve - Court 1 & 2

Keilor Recreation Reserve - Tennis Courts 1 & 2

Green Gully Reserve - Training Grounds

McKechnie Reserve - Pitch 2

Keilor Park Reserve - Oval 2

Keilor Park Reserve - Oval 3

Sasella Park Reserve - Courts 5 & 6

Selwyn Park Reserve - Courts 1 -4

Selwyn Park Reserve- Courts 5 & 6

John McLeod Reserve - Oval 2

JR Parsons Reserve - Oval 2

Keilor Park Reserve- Oval 4

Keilor Park Reserve - Softball

Keilor Park Reserve- Athletics Track

Sasella Park Reserve - Athletics Track

Talintyre Reserve

Diamond Reserve

Carrington Reserve – Offroad Car Track

Kings Park - Lawn Bowls

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 57

Sports Reserve Car Parks

Keilor Park Reserve - Athletics/Softball/Basketball

Churchill Reserve

Green Gully Reserve - Tennis

More Park Reserve

Delahey Reserve

Arthur Beachley Reserve

Larissa Reserve

Ardeer Reserve

Lloyd Reserve

McKechnie Reserve

Ralph Reserve

Kings Park Reserve - Bowls

Barclay Reserve - Flycasting

Dempster Park Reserve - Tennis

Sports Ground Irrigation Upgrades/ Installation

Churchill Reserve- Pitch 2

Ardeer Reserve

Bon Thomas Reserve - Oval

Keilor Park Reserve - Softball 3 & 4

Keilor Park Athletics - Inside of track

Keilor Lodge Reserve - Soccer

Selwyn Park Reserve - Oval

More Park Reserve

JR Parsons Reserve - Oval

Green Gully Reserve - Soccer

Sports Netting Upgrades

More Park Reserve - Softball

Barclay Reserve – Baseball

Ainsworth Reserve – Cricket

Keilor Park Reserve - Softball

Selwyn Park Reserve – Cricket

Bon Thomas Reserve – Cricket

Lloyd Reserve – Cricket

Delahey Reserve – Cricket

Diamond Reserve – Cricket

Talintyre Reserve – Cricket

Arthur Beachley Reserve – Cricket

Warm Season Grass Conversion

Keilor Lodge Reserve - Pitch 2

Keilor Park Reserve - Softball

Keilor Park Reserve - Oval 5

Delahey Reserve - Oval

Kevin Flint Reserve - Pitch 1

Kevin Flint Reserve - Pitch 2

Talintyre Reserve

Green Gully Reserve- Soccer

JR Parsons Reserve - Oval

School Partnerships

Future projects will be identified in consultation with

schools, current projects identified include:

Lionheart Reserve - Fencing

Lionheart Reserve - Oval 2 Upgrade

Delahey Reserve - Soccer Pitch Shade

Lionheart Reserve - Oval 1 Shade

Delahey Reserve - Soccer Pitch Upgrade

58 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Coaches Boxes/Players Benches Replacement

Green Gully Reserve - Pitch 2

Churchill Reserve - Pitch 2

Keilor Park Reserve - Softball

McKechnie Reserve - Pitch 1 & 2

Delahey Reserve - Oval

Bon Thomas Reserve - Oval

Keilor Lodge Reserve - Pitch 3

Lloyd Reserve

JR Parsons Reserve - Oval 2

Tallintyre Reserve - Oval

Diamond Reserve - Oval

Churchill Reserve - Pitch 1

Keilor Park Reserve - Oval 3

Keilor Park Reserve - Pitch 2

More Park Reserve - Softball

Shade Structure Installation

Keilor Park Reserve – Off Road Car

Keilor Park Reserve - Softball Diamond 1

More Park Reserve

Carrington Reserve - Off Road Car

Green Gully Reserve - Tennis

Sasella Park Reserve - Tennis

Churchill Reserve

Robert Bruce Reserve

Arthur Beachley Reserve

Barclay Reserve - Baseball

Green Gully Reserve – Bocce

Larissa Reserve

McKechnie Reserve

Tallintyre Reserve

Ainsworth Reserve

Lloyd Reserve

Dempster Park Reserve

Keilor Park Reserve - Little Athletics

Goal Post Replacement

John McLeod Reserve – Oval 1

Robert Bruce Reserve

Arthur Beachley Reserve

Green Gully Reserve- Oval

Tallintyre Reserve

Keilor Park Reserve - Oval 1

Keilor Park Reserve – Synthetic sportsgrounds

Diamond Reserve

Ardeer Reserve

Storage Refurbishments

Green Gully Reserve -Sports Pavilion

Keilor Park Reserve - Softball

Keilor Park Reserve - Off Road Cars

Tallintyre Reserve

Green Gully Reserve- German Shepherd Dogs

Keilor Lodge Reserve

Ardeer Reserve

Errington Reserve

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 59

Sporting Reserve Fence Replacement

Keilor Park Reserve - Soccer Perimeter Fence

Arthur Beachley Reserve - Field

Keilor Lodge Reserve - Pitch 3

More Park Reserve

Keilor Park Reserve - Softball Diamonds

John McLeod Reserve - Oval 2

JR Parsons Reserve - Oval 2

Kevin Flint Reserve - Oval

Diamond Reserve - Oval

Balmoral Park Reserve - Oval 2

Ainsworth Reserve

Green Gully Reserve – German Shepherd Dog Club

Churchill Reserve - Pitch 2

Green Gully Reserve - Oval

Green Gully Reserve - Pitch 2

John McLeod Reserve - Oval 1

Keilor Park Reserve - Oval 1

Keilor Lodge Reserve - Pitch 2

Keilor Park Reserve - Pitch 2

Keilor Park Reserve - Pitch 3

Lloyd Reserve

McKechnie Reserve

JR Parsons Reserve- Oval 1

Robert Bruce Reserve - Oval

Tennis Court Resurfacing

Selwyn Park Reserve (Albion TC) 2 courts

Dempster Park Reserve (Nth Sunshine TC) 2 courts

Selwyn Park Reserve (Albion TC) 2 courts

Keilor Recreation Reserve (Keilor TC) 2 courts

Dempster Park Reserve (Nth Sunshine TC) 1 court

Lionheart Reserve (Taylors Lakes TC) 1 court

Lionheart Reserve (Taylors Lakes TC) 2 court s

Keilor Recreation Reserve (Keilor TC) 2 courts

Dempster Park Reserve (Nth Sunshine TC ) 1 court

Lionheart Reserve (Taylors Lakes TC) 3 courts

Green Gully Reserve (Green Gully TC) 2 courts

Overton Lea Reserve (Sydenham TC) 2 courts

Sasella Park Reserve (Deer Park TC) 2 courts

Green Gully Reserve(Green Gully TC) 2 courts

60 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Rolling Program Minimum Standards

Rolling Program

Council Minimum Standard

Sports Surface/Ground

Redevelopment

• Playing Surface replacement including warm season grass and suitable

subsurface for natural sports grounds. Appropriate synthetic surface and sub

surface for synthetic sports surfaces

• Drainage

• Automated irrigation system (Natural sports surfaces only)

• Initial line marking of surface

• Assessment and replacement as necessary of sports facility infrastructure

including coaches boxes/players benches, goal posts with onsite goal post

storage and playing surface perimeter fencing

New Sportsground

Development

• New playing surface including warm season grass or appropriate synthetic surface

and suitable subsurface

• Drainage

• Automatic irrigation system

• Sports field fencing

• Coaches boxes/ players benches

• Sportsground lighting

• Carpark – subject to needs assessment

• Goal posts with onsite storage

• Initial line marking of surface

Sports Ground Lighting • Sportsground lit to 100 lux with capacity for future expansion

Female Friendly

Facilities

• Provision of showers and toilets that achieve appropriate privacy

• Provision of shelves and power points to vanities for general accessories

• Provision of baby change tables

• Provision of separate umpire facilities or consideration of design options that split

change rooms and amenities to enhance flexibility

Irrigation Upgrades

• Automated system designed to specific needs of the site

Warm Season Grass

Conversion

• Line plant with warm season grass into existing surface

Sports Netting

Upgrades

• 3 cricket nets with synthetic carpet including 1 to remain open for community use

• Baseball/ Softball/ Athletics – to relevant State Sporting Association/ Australian

standards for community level use or equivalent.

Kitchen Upgrades

• New flooring

• New shelving

• New appropriate benchtops/splash back

• 900mm oven and canopy

• On a need basis determined by Council, any infrastructure required to site specific

requirements or to adhere to requirements of the Building Code of Australia

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 61

Rolling Program

Council Minimum Standard

Coaches Box/Players

Benches Replacement

• AFL, seating for 6 people

• Soccer, seating for 5 people

• Other Sports, seating as deemed appropriate by Council

Shade Structures

• 12m x 6m open shade structure with concrete base

Goal Post Replacement • Soccer, permanent and semi-permanent goals conforming to Australian Standard

AS4866.1-2007

• Other, as per the community level competition standard stipulated by State

Sporting Association.

• Suitable onsite storage as required.

Storage Refurbishment • 18m

2

cladded structure

Sporting Reserve

Fence Replacement

• 900mm pipe and rail fence with black mesh infill

• Existing fence structure at the site will be taken into account when designed to

ensure amenity of the area

Sports Reserve Car

Parks

• New asphalt surface

• Fencing

• Lighting

• Drainage

• Line marking of surface

• Appropriate signage

Tennis Court

Resurfacing,

Reconstruction and

New courts

• Site specific depending on existing surface , club requirements and Tennis Victoria

requirements.

62 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

A set of proposed facility standards has been developed and is provided below. The standards will be used as the

guide to which Council will deliver when developing new or upgraded sporting facilities.

The facility standards outlined below allow flexibility in accommodating the specific needs of the sporting and

broader communities. They provide a minimum standard to work to; guiding expectations of what Council can

reasonably be held responsible for developing.

The standards set out in the table below include spaces and particular features required for a building to comply

with relevant building codes. The three categories for projects included in the Implementation Plan for facilities are

as follow:

Build New

The standards set out here are the minimum space requirements for each function / element for a new sports

facility building.

Refurbish Existing

A refurbishment or upgrade of an existing facility aims to ensure that specific functions of a building comply with

statutory or industry standards. This relates to space required for toilets (disability access), kitchens (health code

compliance) and change rooms (some state sporting industry standards). A refurbishment project will involve

using the existing footprint to bring a facility up to standard where possible. In some cases a project may require an

extension to a facility to comply with standards or if the cost of refurbishing an existing facility becomes greater

than building a new facility Council will consider whether a new building should be built instead.

Sports Change Rooms

This facility is required where there is not a home club based on site or there are a number of emerging groups who

utilise the sports ground on a casual basis and there is a significant need to provide amenities to participants and

spectators. This facility provides change rooms with toilets and showers, storage, basic canteen facilities and some

shelter or shade from the elements. The design of this facility enables future components to be added to become a

full pavilion.

Standard Facility Components

Council will provide the minimum fixtures and fittings for the safe and functional use of community sporting

pavilions. Any items beyond the minimum standard shall be totally responsibility of the sporting clubs with the

process for approval, financing and maintenance outlined in the Community Facilities Capital Contributions Policy

(2016). Standard Facility Components

• Appropriate floor coverings

• Baby change tables

• Bench style seating with hooks in change rooms

• Councils key/swipe card locking system

• Emergency, security and other light fittings

• Essential services e.g. Fire prevention and safety equipment

• Heating and cooling (not in change rooms)

• Hot water service

• Kitchen preparation surfaces, benches and cabinets

• Non-commercial oven/ stove with relevant extraction

• Plumbing fixtures and fittings for the provision of showers, toilets, sinks and hand driers

• Roller screen doors and/ or panels where appropriate

• Shelving with storage areas.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 63

Sports Facility Standards

Pavilion

component

Sport Type

Comments

Softball /

Baseball

Netball /

Basketball

Tennis

Soccer

AFL/

Cricket

Community Room

Build New

75m

2

75m

2

75m

2

100m

2

100m

2

A community room will be

supplied to provide for both

sports clubs gatherings and to

encourage broader community

activity and use.

Refurbish

Existing

Retain existing community room in an existing pavilion

A new or additional community

room space will not be

developed in a refurbishment

project. Existing community

room spaces will be retained

and updated where required.

Sports

Change

Rooms

N/A

There will not be a community

room space provided within a

Sports change room build.

Change Rooms

Build New

30m

2

X 2

30m

2

X 2

15m

2

x 2

30m

2

X 2

40m

2

X 2

Home and away teams are

catered for in separate spaces

with sufficient space to

accommodate the maximum

number of team players using

space for the game. All change

rooms will be screened from

view of public access areas.

Universal design principles will

always be implemented.

Refurbish

Existing

The minimum standard as specified above for each sport will be met where possible when refurbishing an existing

facility. The size of rooms will vary depending on the existing footprint of each building.

Sports

Change

Rooms

40m

2

x 2

40m

2

x 2

40m

2

x 2

40m

2

x 2

40m

2

x 2 As per Build New.

64 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Pavilion

component

Sport Type

Comments

Softball /

Baseball

Netball /

Basketball

Tennis

Soccer

AFL/

Cricket

Toilets

Build New

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

25m

2

X 2

To meet Universal Design

Standard.

Refurbish

Existing

The minimum standard as specific above for each sport will be met where possible when

refurbishing an existing facility. The size of rooms will vary depending on the existing

footprint of each building.

Sports

Change

Rooms

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

Kitchen /Kiosk

Build New

25m

2

25m

2

25m

2

25m

2

25m

2

An area able to serve simple pre

packaged food and beverages

externally through an opening

window and internally in

accordance with the sanitary

requirements of the Building

Code of Australia. Design should

include kitchen storage.

Refurbish

Existing

The minimum standard as specified above for each sport will be met where possible when

refurbishing an existing facility. The size of rooms will vary depending on the existing

footprint of each building.

Sports

Change

Rooms

15m

2

15m

2

15m

2

15m

2

15m

2

Basic Kiosk with external

opening service window

Umpires/Referees Room

Build New

10m

2

x 2

10m

2

x 2

10m

2

x 2

10m

2

x 2

10m

2

x 2

Able to cater for male and

female. Separate shower and

change cubicles. Shared locker/

foyer area. One unisex toilet.

Refurbish

Existing

The minimum standard as specified above for each sport will be met where possible when

refurbishing an existing facility. The size of rooms will vary depending on the existing

footprint of each building.

Sports

Change

Rooms

10m

2

unisex 10m

2

unisex 10m

2

unisex 10m

2

unisex 10m

2

unisex

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 65

Pavilion

component

Sport Type

Comments

Softball /

Baseball

Netball /

Basketball

Tennis

Soccer

AFL/

Cricket

Storeroom

Build New

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

15m

2

X 2

20m

2

X 2

20m

2

X 2

Sufficient space for seasonal

users to store appropriate to

sport requirement training,

program or match equipment

and community user’s group/s

to store some equipment.

New buildings should consider

incorporating external and

internal storage access.

Refurbish

Existing

The minimum standard as specified above for each sport will be met where possible when

refurbishing an existing facility. The size of rooms will vary depending on the existing

footprint of each building.

Sports

Change

Rooms

20m

2

20m

2

20m

2

20m

2

20m

2

Consider providing 10m2 internally

and 10m2 externally.

Public Toilet

Build New

1M + 1F DDA Code compliant

Toilets that are separate to

change rooms and with ability

to be open for public use when

tenant club not present at facility.

Refurbish

Existing

1M + 1F DDA Code compliant or one unisex DDA compliant toilet subject to any site

restraints in the existing facility.

Sports

Change

Rooms

3M + 3F with at least 1 DDA compliant fully accessible unisex toilet.

66 Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018)

Pavilion

component

Sport Type

Comments

Softball /

Baseball

Netball /

Basketball

Tennis

Soccer

AFL/

Cricket

First Aid

Build New

15m

2

15m

2

15m

2

15m

2

15m

2

Provision will be made for first

aid room.

This may be a designed for

purpose space or at a minimum

will be a multiuse space that

can function as an accessible

first aid room for match

and training days, including

stretcher and ambulance

access.

Refurbish

Existing

The minimum standard as specified above for each sport will be met where possible when

refurbishing an existing facility. The size of rooms will vary depending on the existing

footprint of each building.

Sports

Change

Rooms

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

There will not be a First Aid

Room, the responsibility of

First Aid will be up to team

managers within clubs.

Cleaners’ store

Build New

1m

2

1m

2

1m

2

1m

2

1m

2

Secure storage cupboard

provided for cleaning equipment

and chemicals.

Refurbish

Existing

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Not included unless already

exists at facility.

Sports

Change

Rooms

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Not included.

External Bin Storage

Build New

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

Externally accessible area to

neatly store bins and recycling

material .

Refurbish

Existing

3X 3m

2

3x3m2

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

Facility dependent.

Sports

Change

Rooms

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

3X 3m

2

Facility dependent.

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 67

Pavilion

component

Sport Type

Comments

Softball /

Baseball

Netball /

Basketball

Tennis

Soccer

AFL/

Cricket

Administration Room

Build New

10m

2

10m

2

10m

2

10m

2

10m

2

Able to be isolated from sporting

component of the pavilion to

assist team office administration,

meeting and non-sporting

‘broader use’ activity.

Refurbish

Existing

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A unless already component

of the facility with size to remain

the same.

Sports

Change

Rooms

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Not included.

Shelter

Build New

Shelter would generally take the form of a covered veranda area. Size may be dictated by the design of the pavilion

but it would generally be able to accommodate a team gathering.

Refurbish

Existing

Dependent on demand and budget

Sports

Change

Rooms

Shelter facing the sports ground/s the size of the sports toilet building will be provided.

Car Parking

Build New

Size determined by level of use and planning permit specifications. Components as per Council minimum standard

Refurbish

Existing

As required at existing size with components as per Council minimum standard.

Sports

Change

Rooms

Size determined by level of use and planning permit specifications. Components as per Council minimum standard

Recommendations

Sports Facility Development Plan (Updated 2018) 69

This report concludes with the following 14 recommendations.

Council should:

1. Affirm its commitment to working in partnership with local sporting bodies and other organisations to deliver the

best value for money solutions for the Brimbank community.

2. Continue to work with local sports clubs, with a focus on club development, to ensure current facilities are being

managed sustainably and used at optimal levels. Emphasis should be placed on encouraging local clubs to work

more closely with target groups such as females, newly arrived residents, juniors and people with disabilities.

3. Actively pursue partnerships with local schools, other organisations and neighbouring municipalities for future

development of sports facilities.

4. Affirm its commitment to the criteria and weightings set out in the Facility Development Matrix as the

methodology by which all sports facility development projects will be assessed.

5. Continue to review and implement annual rolling programs detailed within this Plan within the Capital Works

Program.

6. Note the Facility Standards outlined in section 6 of this Plan.

7. Note the lists of projects outlined in section 6 of this Plan.

8. Undertake a master plan and develop a business case for a regional multi-sports facility at Energy Park, providing

for a range of sporting activities.

9. Continue to implement the Community Facilities and Reserves Allocation Policy and Guidelines for sports

facilities to deliver fair, equitable and consistent outcomes for sporting clubs and community groups,

10.Continue to implement the Sports Facility Hire, Licenses and Leases Agreement Policy and Guidelines for sports

clubs.

11. Continue to implement the Community Facilities Capital Contribution Policy that clearly defines Council and

sporting club responsibilities towards the improvement of Council owned sporting facilities.

12.Once adopted, implement recommendations and actions from the Brimbank Physical Activity Strategy that

responds to the physical activity needs of the community and delivers activities that residents prefer to

participate in whilst addressing barriers to participation.

13.Undertake an Indoor Courts Feasibility Study that also considers indoor facilities in surrounding Municipalities to

determine the need for additional indoor facilities to cater for existing and future demand.

14.Due to the significant health and wellbeing challenges faced by the Brimbank community, Council should

develop an Advocacy Plan and seek financial support from the State and Federal Government to address the high

demand for sports facilities by the Brimbank community.

9249 4000

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