Community teams with Council to develop sport and recreation plan

Following community consultation which scored one of region's highest participation rates, Council has adopted the Scenic Rim Sport and Recreation Plan 2024-2034. 

The plan, adopted at Council's Ordinary Meeting today, aims to increase the health and wellbeing of the Scenic Rim community through participation across all age groups in sporting and recreational activities. 

Consultation on the draft plan, through the Let's Talk Scenic Rim online community engagement platform and attendance at eight face-to-face sessions across the Scenic Rim from 2 April to 6 May 2024, resulted in 259 submissions. 

The Scenic Rim's Sport and Recreation Portfolio Councillor Stephen Moriarty thanked the community for providing feedback on the draft plan, which was prepared in consultation with sporting organisations from across the region, peak sporting bodies, Queensland Government departments and non-Council sport and recreation providers. 

"The plan provides a strategic analysis of the community's sporting and recreational needs for the next decade supported by the four pillars of infrastructure, participation, governance and events and programs," he said. 

"It takes account of community needs, access to sporting and recreational opportunities, the region's changing demographics, environmental sustainability, infrastructure needs and potential funding opportunities as well as opportunities associated with the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games." 

With a higher proportion of residents above the age of 45 compared to Queensland overall, the Scenic Rim faces increased demand for low-impact physical activities, particularly as this demographic is projected to continue to grow as the population ages. 

Although the region's population is expected to reach 64,679 by 2041, there will be a significant increase in the number of people over 65 and a notable decrease in the region's 10 to 14-year-old population. 

"Clubs recognise the need to adapt to changes within the community and for greater inclusion," Cr Moriarty said. 

"The community consultation showed that many clubs grapple with limited facilities and increasing participation and transport difficulties for those without vehicles. 

"It also showed that the addition of floodlighting could maximise usage of sports fields and provide opportunities for members of the community who work to become involved in evening sporting activities." 

The need for affordable options for sport and recreation was highlighted by the higher proportion of low-income households in the Scenic Rim compared with Queensland overall. 

Parents' work commitments were also found to impact the ability of young people to participate in sport. 

"Schools which responded to the community consultation noted that children continue have an interest in the traditional sports but face challenges with the lack of availability of parents enabling them to participate in extracurricular activities," Cr Moriarty said. 

"There was some support for more outdoor spaces and recreational areas including BMX tracks and skate parks to address the lack of activities for young people that may impact their mental health." 

Walking, swimming and park activities are the most popular open space activities in the Scenic Rim and, while many members of the community are involved in sporting and recreational activities at home, the plan pointed to the possible increase in social interactions from the addition of community facilities and programs. 

"The plan also identified Scenic Rim's potential to become a hub for elite niche sports such as equestrian, camp drafting and rowing, particularly with Lake Wyaralong being selected as the host venue for rowing and canoe spring events for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games," Cr Moriarty said. 

"While the Games represent significant opportunities for our region, our focus needs to continue to remain on developing participation in grassroots sporting and recreational activities for the health and wellbeing of our community." 

The Scenic Rim Sport and Recreation Plan 2024-2034 can be viewed on Council's website here.