Council adopts Community Sport and Recreation needs strategy

Wollondilly Shire Council has adopted the Community Sport and Recreation Needs Strategy, providing a framework and action plan which aims to meet the sport and recreation needs of the Shire’s current and future population.

In developing the Strategy for the next ten years, Council consulted with user groups and the broader community, addressing the challenges of a changing community profile and the pressures on existing community sport and recreation infrastructure.

The aspirational Strategy proposes investment in new and upgraded facilities across the Shire, from Warragamba to Yanderra, with a key focus being the growth areas which will house the majority of the Shire’s population in the years to come.

Mayor Matt Gould said, “I’d like to thank everyone who provided feedback during the engagement process for the Community Sport and Recreation Needs Strategy, which gives us a great framework for the future.”

“Wollondilly is a sport-loving Shire, and the Strategy seeks to address some of the challenges we face in relation to our sport and recreation facilities, which are already being stretched due to demand.”

“In light of the projected growth of the Shire, strategically positioned local, district, Shire-wide, and regional social infrastructure is essential to facilitate the well-being and social connectivity of our residents.”

“We look forward to working with local stakeholder groups including our Sportsground Volunteer Engagement Panels to seek funding opportunities and implement the plans laid out in this document.”

In preparation for the Strategy, site audits provided a detailed understanding of the existing sport and recreation facilities across the Shire including their condition, functionality, and key infrastructure, and helped to verify the key issues and opportunities.

Supply and demand analysis showed that new housing developments in Wilton and Appin growth areas would see a significant increase in demand for sport and recreation facilities, with Wollondilly’s population expected to more than double by 2041. The Shire is also expected to experience a demographic shift, resulting in a more diverse and younger community.

Council has committed to a 50/50 gender participation in sport locally with inclusive facilities incorporated by 2032 as a priority.

Funding for the implementation of the Strategy is envisaged to be a combination of developer contributions, government grants, fundraising and Council funding, with delivery timeframes dependent on funding availability.