The Office for Recreation and Sport’s Strategic Plan for the period 1995 to 1998 acknowledges the key role of Local Government in providing sport and recreation facilities, services and programs, and proposes a range of initiatives be developed in collaboration with Local Government agencies. Following broad consultation with the industry, one such project is to identify and promote models of “best practice” and initiatives in planning and delivery of sport and recreation services, programs and facilities. The overall aim of the manual is to provide a planning tool and current information on initiatives, trends, potential areas for inclusion and examples of best practices in Local Government sport and recreation policy development.