Project objective
The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria, has developed a landmark Fair Access in Sport Policy Roadmap to ensure community sporting environments are welcoming, accessible, inclusive and fair for everyone.
As a result, from 1 July 2024, all Victorian local councils are required to have a Fair Access Policy and a Fair Access Policy Action Plan to adhere to state legislation.
In response, we’ve drafted a new Fair Access Policy and Fair Access Policy Action Plan.
Between 13 March and 21 April 2024, we’re seeking community feedback on the draft Policy and draft Action Plan actions.
In conjunction with community feedback, the Policy and Action Plan will be informed by local, state, and national sport and recreation data trends, and influenced by the State Government Office of Women in Sport and Recreation.
The Fair Access Policy and Fair Access Policy Action Plan will align with the Bayside City Council Gender Equality Action Plan 2021 – 2025, Bayside’s Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021—2025, the Safeguarding Children and Young People - Policy 2021, the Bayside 2050 Community Vision, and the Council Plan 2021 – 2025.
Project impacts
Aligned with the six guiding principles as set out by the Office of Woman in Sport and Recreation, and the Gender Equality Act 2020, the draft Policy and Action Plan will set out the framework to provide fair access to facilities, gender-neutral infrastructure, and participation opportunities.
The endorsed Policy and Action Plan will result in Club and stakeholder responsibilities to improve gender equity, and to implement inclusive practices, governance, and communication priorities. This will result in more equitable opportunities for women, girls, and others to participate in community sport and recreation.
What information do we need from the community?
Community engagement on the draft Fair Access Policy and draft Fair Access Policy Action Plan actions seeks to understand priorities for:
- Enhancing gender equity in sport and recreation,
- Advocacy, leadership, and governance,
- Addressing participation barriers,
- Accessibility and inclusion,
- Education and partnerships,
- Infrastructure - improve, develop, and manage,
- Opportunities for players, coaches, administrators, volunteers, and spectators.
Feedback will also help to identify gaps – in services and support, improve processes, and streamline delivery and growth.
What can the community influence?
- Council’s understanding of community sentiment for the draft Fair Access Policy and Fair Access Policy Action Plan.
- The actions to enable Council and clubs to support an equitable active recreation and sports culture.
- Council’s understanding of the existing gaps and inequality experienced by the community.
- Council’s understanding of the barriers to participation experienced by the whole community.
- Council’s understanding of gender equity priorities.
What can't the community influence?
- The six guiding principles for the development of the Policy as set out by the Office of Woman in Sport and Recreation.
- The Change our Game, Fair Access Policy Roadmap.
- Project costs and contractor/ consultant selection (if required).
Stakeholders and community
This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.
Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter.
Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated.
Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum
| Stakeholder / community | Impact | Interest | Influence |
| Bayside residents | M | M | Involve |
| State Sporting Associations, National Sporting Bodies, members and participants | H | H | Inform/Consult |
| Leagues, Associations, Sports Clubs | H | H | Consult/Involve/Collaborate |
| Recreational visitors to Bayside | L | L | Inform |
| Bayside advisory and representative committees:
| L | H | Involve |
Selected tools and techniques
The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.
Key tools for communicating the project- Project page on Have Your Say engagement platform.
- This Week in Bayside (weekly Council e-newsletter).
- News story on Bayside City Council website.
- Direct e-mail to Bayside sports clubs.
- Direct email to relevant Have Your Say members.
- Direct e-mail to community members/groups that have an interest in sport and recreation, and council strategy development.
- Social media.
Key methods for gathering feedback
- Online survey on the Have Your Say project page.
- Upload a written statement.
- Opportunity for to book a meeting with Recreation Planning Officer.
- Email, post, or phone submissions.
- Printed materials, as required.
Project timelines
| Community engagement | 13 March – 21 April 2024 |
| Collate and consider feedback | April – May 2024 |
| Finalise Policy and action plan | May 2024 |
| Adopt policy and action plan | Council is anticipated to adopt the Fair Access Policy and Action Plan at its June 2024 meeting. |
| Communicate and plan implementation, training, and support | Officers to inform stakeholders of the outcome of the June council meeting adoption and share final versions of documents, plus the updated training and support plans for clubs etc |
Decision-making process
We’re engaging the community for five weeks between Wednesday, 13 March and Sunday, 21 April 2024 to seek feedback on the draft Fair Access Policy and Fair Access Policy Action Plan.
It is expected that Council will consider the Fair Access Policy and Fair Access Policy Action Plan for adoption at its June 2024 meeting.
The agenda for this meeting will be published a week before the meeting date. Interested community members can make a submission or request to speak in relation to this project at the meeting.
Please select the +Subscribe button at the top of the page to receive updates about this project, including when it will be considered by Council and any further opportunities to participate in this project.
More information
Aimee White
Recreation Planning Officer
03 9599 4674
