Skip to content
 The Tasmanian Government has assumed a caretaker role ahead of the election for the Tasmanian House of Assembly. It is important during this time that Tasmanian Government resources are not used to communicate political material. As such, no political or election material will be placed on this site.

Active Tasmania

Active Tasmania Facilities

Sport and Recreation Facilties provides advice to the Tasmanian Government on the infrastructure needs of the Tasmanian community.

The team works with local councils and other sport and recreation organisations to assist the planning and development of quality facilities to support a diverse range of sport and active recreation experiences.

Planning and developing facilities

Facilities include areas that are constructed or maintained to allow people to participate in sport and recreation activities, such as a pool, gym or oval. Facilities also includes structures that support people involved in sport and recreation, such as change rooms, canteens, grandstands or scoreboards.

A facility can be a large multi-use centre with playing surfaces catering for different activities, or it may be a small hall catering for one activity.

It is important to plan appropriately when upgrading or developing facilities to ensure all facility developments comply with the Building Code of Australia.

Planning resources

Developing sport and recreation facilities - business planning guidelines (PDF)

Access for people with a disability and the new Premises Standards (PDF)

Facilities Development (PDF)

Tasmanian Open Space Policy and Planning Framework

Recreation Planning Manual

It is important to consider the diverse recreation needs of growing and changing communities and the provision of facilities and environments to support and encourage participation.

The Recreation Planning Manual has been developed by Sport and Recreation Tasmania in partnership with Dr Ken Marriott to inform and guide the recreation planning process. It generally targets officers within local government who are responsible for the development and management of community sport and recreation. The resource will also be helpful to anyone wishing to engage in recreation planning.

This Manual gives a detailed explanation of the steps involved in the preparation of leisure and recreation plans. This ensures that planning is undertaken in a way that achieves the most effective outcomes with optimal benefits for all sectors of the community. It provides guidance and resources to help a range of agencies to better understand the importance and scope of leisure and recreation planning at the strategic level.

This resource is not intended as a prescriptive template. It outlines key elements which need to be carefully considered in the development of any recreation planning.

Recreation Planning Manual (PDF)

Managing facilities

Managing a sport and recreation facility involves planning and operational principles that encourage increased use of facilities.

How organisations adopt these principles depends on many factors, including who owns the facility, and whether it is a multi-use facility. Organisations that are aware of the most efficient and equitable ways to manage sport and recreation facilities have a greater ability to control the use of their facility.

Principles of facility management

Most sport and recreation facilities, whether community based or commercial, have the same goals: maximising the use of their facility and operating in an efficient, safe and fair manner.

To achieve these goals the following factors need to be considered:

  • Access and opportunities
  • Quality, safety and sustainability
  • Multiple-use or sharing

Access and opportunities

Location and transport

Facilities should be located in an easily accessible location to maximise use. An organisation may need to consider ways of making a facility more accessible, for example, improving car and pedestrian access, car parking and public transport.

Keys and booking systems

If different groups use the facility it is important to consider whether each group should have their own keys to access the facility, or whether there should be a central booking system.

Security

Safety and security are important considerations of facility access. A well-designed, well-lit and highly visible facility will make users feel safe.

Fees and pricing

It is important to have a range of fees including concessions or discounts for eligible users. Groups that contribute in-kind support to the construction, maintenance and upkeep of the facility should also be rewarded with lower fees.

Hours of operation

Facility managers should consider the range of people who may wish to use their facility. Some may prefer to use a facility during the day while others prefer nights or weekends. A wide range of operating hours will ensure access for maximum users.

Programming

A facility should aim to provide programs that cater for a diverse range of ages, physical ability, gender and cultural backgrounds. Programs, classes or activities that are tailored to meet the needs of specific groups (such as parents with young children, young people, older adults, women and people with disability) could increase the use of a facility.

Quality safety and sustainability

Asset management plan

Planning for a facility’s long-term viability should include development of an asset maintenance plan. Facility managers should plan and budget for regular audits, inspections, repairs and replacement of materials or infrastructure to ensure the facility is maintained.

Safety and standards

Legislation requires sport and recreation organisations to maintain their facilities to high standards. Public liability concerns and requirements for Place of Assembly Licences require facility managers to maintain facilities to certain levels in terms of safety and access.

Multiple-use or sharing

There is an increasing recognition of the need to provide facilities that cater for multiple-use and encourage usage by different community groups. Shared use improves access, maximises usage and rationalises costs to get the best possible value from facilities. Shared multi-use facilities provide an activity hub and create a sense of community ownership.

Facilities can be shared between clubs, commercial organisations, state sporting organisations and schools. Sharing provides the potential for alternative sources of funding and partnerships or cooperative arrangements are regarded highly by funding bodies.

Sharing sport and recreation facilities (PDF)

Management agreements

Shared facilities should have management agreements. These should be comprehensive and clearly cover the arrangements for funding, cost sharing, legal responsibilities, maintenance, use, supervision, staff, and access. Rights and responsibilities should be clearly established.

A management plan outlines strategies to increase use of the facility and ensure efficient use of resources.

A management plan should typically include:

  • Services and programs
  • Fees and pricing schedules
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Organisational structure (including management and administration systems)
  • Asset management and maintenance
  • Operational budget
  • Policy on use of surplus or financing of operational deficit
  • Planned developments and their projected impact