Campaign launched to increase sport and recreation participation throughout western Victoria

The City of Ballarat in partnership with other local councils has launched a 10-year plan - The Activate 2020 – 2030 program - to boost sport and recreation participation throughout western Victoria.

The Activate 2020 – 2030 program will focus on improving the liveability, health and wellbeing of the Central Highlands and Grampians Pyrenees region.

The program, which is supported by the Victorian Department of Sport and Recreation, will provide a strong regional framework for the Council’s municipal strategies and enable other partner organisations to build on their sport and recreation activities.

The Activate 2020 – 2030 study area will cover the municipalities of Ararat Rural City Council, City of Ballarat, Golden Plains Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, Moorabool Shire Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council and Pyrenees Shire Council.

West Vic Academy of Sport; Women’s Health Grampians; Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative; Sports Central; and Central Highlands Primary Care Partnership are also partners.

Sports that will be highlighted in Activate 2020 – 2030 include hockey, tennis, indoor cricket, athletics, cycling and skating.

The objectives of the regional strategic plan include:

• Understanding and mapping of existing community sport and recreation infrastructure and participation initiatives;

• Development of regional and local level participation (physical activity) data across the identified region including current levels, patterns, types and barriers to participation;

• Identification of gaps in provision that will directly impact and fast track participation (physical activity) outcomes and leverage improved health and well-being;

• Identification of opportunities for collaborative infrastructure development and programming; and

• Development of effective cross-sectoral and intergovernmental partnerships

City of Ballarat Mayor, Ben Taylor advises “the communities throughout the Central Highlands and Grampians Pyrenees are the most active, healthy and liveable in Victoria.

“Activate 2020-2030 will allow all participating municipalities to work together to build our joint sporting and recreation infrastructure and untap the vast potential of our communities.”

Image courtesy of City of Ballarat