Recreation and Open Space Planning

Capacity Consulting has gained a reputation for delivering strategic planning processes that are feasible and achievable. 

Capacity Consulting has the following skills, experience and knowledge:

  • High level Recreation and Open Space Planning skills;
  • An understanding of local and state governments;
  • A context of the social, economic and environmental considerations in recreation and open space planning;
  • Extensive experience in engaging communities; and
  • Demonstrated experience in developing clear and concise reports.

Recreation Planning Projects

Your Leisure Matters – City of Hume

Capacity Consulting recently planned and implemented a community engagement strategy for the City of Hume Leisure Strategy. Over 1500 people participated in the engagement process including sports clubs, the multicultural community, health networks, young people, people with disabilities and a range of other community networks.

The Your Leisure Matters event also had an online engagement strategy where 1300 people visited the website. This extensive engagement process has driven the key priorities in the Strategy. See the online forum. About 1000 people have visited the site and over 200 comments have been posted.

Melton Master Plans

Capacity Consulting in partnership with Mexted Rimmer have developed two Master Plans for the Melton Shire Council. The Arnolds Creek Recreation Reserve and the Taylors Hill West Recreation Reserve are both green field sites on Melbourne's Western growth corridor. The plans have been designed to give Melton Shire Council and the community flexibility for the future.

Capacity Consulting in the community

Footscray Hockey Club Strategic Planning

Capacity Consulting is providing strategic planning support for the Footscray Hockey Club. We have developed a model for a workshop that will provide the club with future strategic directions. The areas include high performance, participation and business planning. This model can be applied to other clubs in the future in particular hockey.

Moyne Active Sport and Recreation Reserves Review (Moyne Shire Council 2009)

This current recreational facility planning project is to research the future needs of the Active Sport and Recreation Reserves within the Moyne Shire Council.

This is based on reviewing the following aspects:

  • Asset management
  • Planned projects - facility development
  • Maintenance
  • Equipment
  • Volunteerism

The project has involved extensive time on site with local community volunteers. A Report has been developed that provides a range of proposed strategic actions for the Moyne Shire Council in relation to Active Sport and Recreation Reserves.

Barwon River Parklands (Parks Victoria 2009)

This project involved extensive community engagement in relation to the potential development of recreation trails along the Barwon River from Geelong to Barwon Heads. Four Open House Forums were undertaken and over 200 people participated in the process. There were six different agencies who were partners in the process.

The focus of the project was Healthy Parks Healthy People and environmentally sustainable management of open space networks. 

Hamlyn Park Recreation Reserve Master Plan (City of Greater Geelong 2009-2010)

This project aims to develop a masterplan for the reserve. One of the key issues is that there is currently an education renewal project in the same precinct which is going to dramatically change the manner that the reserve is used by the community.

Rowan Park House Future Use Project (City of Casey 2008)

This project involved providing Council with a future direction for Rowan Park House. The facility was previously used as a Library and community refuge. It has not been used for the last decade and had fallen into a state of disrepair. Capacity Consulting provided Council with a report detailing the recommended uses for the facility and a concept design to revitalise the facility. The facility has been designed in a manner that it will be accessible to children and families.

Warrnambool City Council Recreation Plan (Warrnambool City Council 2007)

Capacity Consulting completed the development of the Recreation Plan for the Warrnambool City Council. The process included: 

  • Community engagement;
  • Mapping of facilities;
  • Planning for recreation needs;
  • Strategic Planning;
  • Policy development for Capital Works and Sports Ground Allocations;
  • Linking pathways to key sites; and
  • Developing practical recommendations that are achievable.

Business and Development Plan (Bell Post Hill Bowls Club 2009-2010)

The Bell Post Hill Bowls Club is an example of working with a small sporting group to help them determine their future direction as a club. The development plan will consider aspects such as access to social facilities, the addition of an extra Bowling Rink and the future financial management of the club to meet their development needs.