Open Space and Recreation Needs Assessment
Consultation has concluded
Byron Shire is developing a shire-wide Open Space and Recreation Needs Assessment and Action Plan.
Council has had the benefit of partnering with Ross Planning who are specialists in this field with extensive experience working with councils around Australia.
The purpose of Open Space and Recreation Needs Assessment and Action Plan is to:
- Provide strategic direction on how open space and recreation areas are managed now and into the future;
- Identify what type and level of open space and recreation (including sports) will be provided throughout the Shire.
How will this benefit the Shire?
Residents and users - it will help deliver improved recreation and sporting opportunities through targeted investment and coordination of Council and community effort.
Ratepayers, Community Groups and State agencies – it identifies the best way for funds to be invested across the open space network and it provides support for grant applications to help make funding go further.
Council and staff- it provides the ‘blueprint’ for allocating funding and programing works, over the short, medium and long terms.
It is acknowledged up front, that the Plan and Council’s management of open space and recreation cannot meet everyone’s expectations.
In a Shire the size of Byron, it is just not possible for Council alone to provide space and facilities to meet every need. What the Plan does do is provide strategic direction with the aims of:
- Transparently and fairly meeting as much of the demand as possible.
- Being upfront when Council cannot meet a need, providing reasons.
- Promoting opportunities for private or non-government providers to fill identified gaps.
Significant pre-draft consultation was carried out with user groups, sports groups, schools and residents.
The feedback has informed the needs assessment and recommended actions and suggestions have been listed throughout the draft plan. Look for the lists of community suggestions and quotes.
Examples of what the community responding to the survey would like to see in the Shire or planning area:
- quality play areas that cater for all age groups and are linked by a walk and cycle network
- lighting of open space to increase usage, particularly during the winter months
- improved skatepark at the Bangalow Sports Fields
- endeavor to make active use of the rail corridor between Byron Bay and Bangalow
- netball court for training at the Bangalow Sports Fields
- walk and cycle paths around town and connections to Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Lennox Head
The project started in April 2017 and has included:
