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SPORT & RECREATION STRATEGIES

Aquatic Development Plan Report

In order to guide the maintenance, management and development of Ballarat's five outdoor pools and indoor aquatic facility for the next 10 years, Council has recently completed an Aquatic Development Plan (PDF) - Draft (PDF - 510KB).

The Plan examines the cost of maintaining and operating all of Ballarat's pools and recommends that further investment be made on improving the infrastructure of Ballarat's two major aquatic facilities; the Eureka Pool and the Ballarat Aquatic Centre - to meet future needs of the growing community.

Factors contributing to the Plan's recommendations include Ballarats cool climate, having a large number of outdoor pools for its population, declining attendances and a move towards indoor multi-use facilities.

Aquatic Recommendations

At the Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, 2 November 2005, Council considered the Plan & resolved to adopt the following recommendations.

That Council:

  • expand leisure water and warm water exercise pool at the Ballarat Aquatic Centre
  • increase the number and quality of water play features at the Eureka Pool, improve change rooms, disability access and car parking
  • explore partnership and development opportunities for increased community access and leisure water at the University of Ballarat
  • continue to maintain Black Hill and Wendouree Pools
  • close the Brown Hill pool in November 2005 and reinstate the site
  • keep the Buninyong Pool open for the 2005/2006 season
  • form a working group comprising of the City of Ballarat, Moorabool Shire, Golden Plains Shire, local Service Clubs and community members by March 2006
  • receive reports from the abovementioned working group by June 2006 with specific financial, operational and management strategies pertaining to the pools' future
  • consider the development of a new indoor facility in the municipality as population grows and exceeds 110,000
  • Officers undertake further work to resolve the future use of the Brown Hill Pool site and work with the community to examine recreation needs in the area
  • ensure that any budget commitments be subject to available funds and form part of Councils annual budget considerations and Council's long-term financial strategy.


Recreation Strategy - 2005

As a key provider and promoter of recreation services and facilities in Ballarat, the Ballarat City Council has developed a 2005 Recreation Strategy. The document outlines principles that guide Council in its planning and decision making with respect to the provision of recreation services and facilities.

The strategy also outlines Council's key priorities for recreation provision and the actions it will take over the next ten years to achieve those priorities. The information contained in the document is drawn from consultation with key Council staff, research undertaken for the Recreation Strategy Plan 2005 (PDF) (PDF - 516KB) and other Council planning/policy documents that relate to recreation.

Tennis Strategy - 2005

With 14 tennis facilities built on Council owned and/or managed land the Ballarat City Council plays a key role in the provision of these facilities. Comprising a total of 80 tennis courts, these venues have a replacement value of about $4 million.

Offering a range of programs and services to tennis players within the municipality, the Ballarat Tennis Federation, local tennis associations and tennis clubs are also supported by Council.

After analysing participation rates, reviewing the condition of tennis facilities and examining the range of tennis programs and services available across the municipality, the Tennis Development Strategy 2005 (PDF) (PDF - 221KB) formulates a guide to improving tennis facilities over the next decade with recommendations to improve the sustainability and functionality of local tennis clubs and tennis associations.

Play Space Planning Framework - 2010

This play space planning framework has been prepared in response to the principles and directions of the City of Ballarat’s Council Plan, Health and Wellbeing Plan, Open Space Strategy and Recreation Strategy.

It provides a planning framework from which play spaces will be improved and developed over the next 5-10 years.

Play is an activity that people of all ages enjoy and Council’s role is to provide a good quality and well distributed range of opportunities throughout the urban and rural areas of the municipality.

This includes the provision of play spaces in parks, youth activity spaces in both urban spaces and parkland, and areas that promote natural play and playful
activity in green open spaces.

The communities of the City of Ballarat will be consulted as each priority of this framework is implemented, to ensure that outcomes are responsive to community needs and aspirations.

This document also guides the establishment of new play spaces that will be
handed over to Council by developers as new subdivisions are completed.

Download the Play Space Planning Framework 2010