The best way to advocate for what you think your club needs, or what you think our community needs, is to participate in the community engagement activities that will form a major part of the LAMP’s development. These will include surveys, workshops and information forums and other opportunities to tell us how you use current facilities and spaces, what you think you’ll need in the future, and what other uses you think we need to consider.
By taking part, you will help shape the LAMP and how we prioritise investment in our assets over the long term.
We encourage everyone to take part in community engagement opportunities as they occur during the LAMP development.
We will also reach out directly to the various groups, clubs, associations and other regular users of Town facilities to participate in the development of the LAMP.
During the development of the LAMP and until it is complete, the Town will not commit to new, unplanned improvements to existing community facilities or open spaces. This applies to all upgrades, even if clubs or associations contribute funding.
Regular maintenance and planned renewals will continue, and exceptions will be made for safety or high-risk issues.
This approach ensures decisions are fair, evidence-based, and prioritise the needs of the whole community. Making ad hoc decisions now could lead to duplication, inefficiencies, or inequitable outcomes.
If you have already made an approach to the Town about improvements to a facility, it will be considered as part of the LAMP project.
What is the Leisure Assets Master Plan?
The LAMP is a long-term, town-wide strategy that directs how community facilities and open spaces used for sport, leisure, and recreation are planned, managed, and funded.
Why is the Town developing a LAMP?
The Town is developing the LAMP to ensure future decisions are evidence-based, fiscally responsible, and aligned with community needs, rather than reacting to ad hoc requests.
What problem is the LAMP trying to solve?
The Town has received over $10 million in requests for unplanned facility upgrades in 2025 alone. The LAMP provides a consistent framework to prioritise investments fairly across our entire community.
What does the LAMP cover?
The LAMP covers both built community facilities and public open spaces used for sport, recreation, and leisure across the Town.
How long will the LAMP take to complete?
The LAMP is expected to take between 12 and 24 months, with final adoption anticipated by early 2028.
Who is developing the LAMP?
The Town will appoint an external specialist consultant via a competitive tender process to develop the LAMP.
When will community engagement begin?
Community and stakeholder engagement is scheduled to begin in mid-2026.
How will the Town keep the community informed?
A detailed webpage, the Town’s social media, and e-newsletters will provide regular updates to the community and Council throughout the LAMP process.
Pause on new facility upgrades
Why has the Town paused new, unplanned upgrades?
The pause guarantees decisions are not made in isolation or in a manner that could conflict with long-term planning outcomes identified through the LAMP.
Does this mean the Town has stopped spending on facilities?
No. Regular maintenance and scheduled asset renewal will proceed as planned.
Are safety works affected by the pause?
No. Works necessary to address safety or other high-risk issues will continue to be assessed and advanced.
Does the pause apply even if a club contributes funding?
Yes. The pause applies to all new, unplanned improvements, including those that are jointly or fully funded by clubs or associations.
Why can’t proposals be assessed case by case?
Assessing proposals on an individual basis risks creating inequity, duplicating facilities, and wasting limited land and funding.
Clubs, associations, and leases
How does the LAMP affect existing community leases?
Existing leases remain in place. The LAMP will guide future lease renewals, investment planning, and long-term facility use.
Can clubs still plan or fundraise for future improvements?
Yes. Clubs may continue planning and fundraising, but the construction of new unplanned works must align with the LAMP once it is adopted.
Will the LAMP favour larger or more established clubs?
No. The LAMP applies uniform criteria centred on participation, accessibility, and community benefit.
What if a club needs urgent upgrades for compliance?
Urgent compliance or safety matters will continue to be evaluated outside the pause.
Will clubs be asked to share facilities more often?
Shared and co-located use will be considered where it enhances access, efficiency, and sustainability, with consultation undertaken when changes are proposed.
Live proposals and precinct planning
Why are some current proposals being deferred?
Deferral ensures proposals are assessed alongside all other needs across the Town, rather than pre-empting planning outcomes.
Does deferral mean a proposal will not proceed?
No. Deferral allows proposals to be refined and weighed within a strategic framework.
Why is land use such a key consideration?
Land is finite. Decisions taken now can limit future chances for community, sporting, or civic use.
Can precinct outcomes change because of the LAMP?
Yes. The LAMP might suggest adjustments to how certain precincts are utilised to better accommodate future demand.
Emerging sports and new uses
Does the LAMP consider emerging sports?
Yes. The LAMP explicitly factors emerging activities and shifting participation trends.
Why can’t emerging sports be accommodated immediately?
Making immediate decisions can lead to unfairness and may conflict with broader planning goals.
Community equity and access
How does the LAMP ensure fairness across the Town?
The LAMP considers needs across all suburbs, age groups and user types using consistent, evidence-based criteria.
Are residents who are not part of clubs considered?
Yes. The LAMP includes informal recreation, casual use, and broader community access.
How does the LAMP respond to population change?
Demographic analysis and participation trends are central to the LAMP’s evidence base.
Financial and governance matters
Is the LAMP about reducing spending?
No. It is about prioritising investment and securing long-term value for money.
Will the LAMP include costings and priorities?
Yes. The LAMP will include a staged action plan covering short, medium and long-term priorities.
How will decisions be monitored after adoption?
The LAMP will incorporate governance structures, performance indicators, and review processes.
Media and public interest
Is the Town facing a facilities funding crisis?
No. The Town is proactively organising to handle growing demand responsibly.
Is the pause legally required?
No. It is a governance decision to support sound planning and risk management.
What happens if the LAMP recommends significant change?
Any major changes would be subject to further consultation, Council consideration, and funding approval.
How can I provide feedback or get involved?
Community members, clubs and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in engagement activities as they occur during the LAMP’s development.
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