VIC/TAS Resources

We’re proud to have established several partnerships and local networks for the benefit of our members. From MoU’s with like-minded organisations to topic specific forums and initiatives, we’re always looking for new ways to provide value back to the sector. If you have an idea or any feedback get in contact via our Contact form.

PARTNERSHIPS + MoUs

Sport and Recreation Victoria

PLA Vic/Tas is a defined ‘state sport and active recreation body’ as recognised by Sport and Recreation Victoria which enables us to partner with the State government on various projects and funding programs.

For more information click here.

National Ageing Research Institute

This MoU has a shared vision to build the partnership between PLA Vic/Tas and NARI in acknowledgement of the research undertaken by NARI and the importance of this knowledge for the development of public recreation facilities, spaces and programs for older adults.

For more information click here.

LOCAL NETWORKS + FORUMS

Melbourne Park Managers Forum

The Melbourne Park Managers Forum (MPMF) is an informal group of park managers and senior management staff from Melbourne Metropolitan LGAs. The Network aims to meet a minimum twice per year at events hosted by a council parks department to discuss issues and share ideas relating to parks planning, management and operations. Membership excludes non-council staff, such as representatives from industry suppliers and consultants.

Whilst it does not have a formal set of rules or statement of purposes, the MPMF was established for the following key reasons:

– To provide park managers with access to a network of like-minded people.
– To share resources, information and experiences relating to parks management.
– To provide opportunities for professional development and learning.

For more information contact the MPMF planning group:

Mark Corea

Unit Manager
Parks & City Forest
City of Whittlesea
Mark.Corea@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Ashley Tenson

Executive Officer
Parks & Bushland
Yarra Ranges Council
a.tenson@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Simon Finlay

Manager
Rec & Open Space
Macedon Ranges Shire
sfinlay@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Emily Boucher

Manager
Open Space
City of Kingston
emily.boucher@kingston.vic.gov.au

Open Space Planners Network

The Open Space Planners Network (OSPN) has been operating as an informal group of interested industry professionals and practitioners since 2007.

The administration and management of the OSPN was for many years coordinated by the City of Melbourne’s Urban Landscapes Department. This arrangement ceased in 2014 and coincided with a decision by a handful of members who had been driving the OSPN to retire, and to allow the next group of open space planners to set the agenda for the sector.

PLA’s Vic/Tas Region Council has always had an informal alliance with the OSPN during the time it was administered by the City of Melbourne, and so it was at this time also that it was agreed that PLA Vic/Tas would provide formal administrative support to the OSPN planning group.

The OSPN was established for the following key reasons:

To provide open space planners and other allied professionals with access to a network of like-minded people.

To share resources, information and experiences relating to open space planning and provision.

To advocate on issues impacting open space planning and provision, and other sector issues.

To provide opportunities for professional development forums related to open space planning matters.

Whilst not initially set up to carry out project work, the OSPN successfully completed the production and distribution of the Open Space Planning and Design Guide in 2013.

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For more information or to be include on the OSPN database please get in contact via our Contact form.

ADVOCACY

Submissions + working groups

The PLA Vic/Tas Region continues to advocate for the industry and we are increasingly being invited to participate, partner and provide feedback to government and academic partners including:

Open Letter: 2022 State Election – advocating for enhanced and continued support of our sector
Access for All Abilities (AAA) program review for Sport and Recreation Victoria
Submission to Parks Victoria Disability Action Plan
Submission to Parks Victoria Land Management Strategy
SRV funding program evaluation meeting
We provide a number of Letters of Support for research grants/projects including recently to Deakin University and La Trobe University
Our Executive Officer acts as a judge for the Disability Sport and Recreation Awards and was a member of Sector Reference Groups for:
- Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Community Sport Workforce Strategy,
- the Australian Sports Commission’s National Sports Participation Plan, and
- DEECA’s National Open Space Function and Hierarchy Classification Framework

Rec+ Research

Recognising a need to deliver a dedicated program that identifies and presents the latest industry research findings directly to the practitioners who are responsible for the planning and delivery of programs, services and infrastructure in our communities the goal of Rec+ Research is to keep industry professionals up to date with the latest evidence-based research findings from sport, recreation, leisure, play, parks and open space sectors to industry.

Useful evidence-based research findings and real-time data are regularly being developed by universities, research companies, equipment manufacturers, councils, state/federal governments, and partner agencies. Rec+ Research aims to collect and collate research data and facilitate the means by which you receive it, to assist you to make more responsive policy and planning decisions and more compelling arguments for necessary resource allocation. Rec+ Research will help you turn ANALYSIS of data into ACTION in an easy to access forum.

Check out our upcoming events for the next session. Examples of previous Rec+ Research sessions include:

Social Impacts of Leisure and Aquatic Facilities – Swinburne University of Technology
Active Healthy Kids Australia: 2022 Report Card – Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity, Deakin University, UniSA and UTAS
1,000 Play Streets Community Impact Summary – La Trobe University and Play Australia
Sport Participation Research Project – Victoria University and Federation University
Australian Park Life Project – Australian Urban Design Research Centre and The University of Western Australia
Leisure Planning Process – Victoria University
Informal Sport as a Health and Social Resource – Monash University

RESOURCES

Guidelines for planning, installing and activating outdoor fitness equipment

The Guidelines for Planning, Installing and Activating Outdoor Fitness Equipment are designed to inform the decision-making processes to plan, design, install, maintain and activate outdoor fitness equipment in our communities.

They have been developed to provide information and recommendations to the broader industry, focusing on five key areas: planning and determining need; design considerations; activation and programming; maintenance; and evaluation.

They also provide case studies and examples, and two checklists.

2024 Guidelines Update

Listing Real Estate GIF by Gina M.

The Guidelines were reviewed between February – May 2024.

PLA Vic/Tas led the review, with funding support from Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV).

University of South Australia were engaged to deliver a comprehensive literature review and Emerge Associates were engaged as project consultants to help deliver the Guidelines review.

We are currently awaiting further advice as to their public release from the Victorian government.

2018 Guidelines

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The PLA Vic/Tas Region was successful in securing funding from Sport and Recreation Victoria’s former Sport and Recreation Development Program (2014/15) for the preparation of the Guidelines.

The development of the Guidelines was developed by a project steering committee made up of PLA members supported by sport and recreation consultants insideEDGE Sport and Leisure Planning.

Open Space Planning and Design Guide

Set within the existing legislative framework, this guide was launched on 26 June 2013 and was developed as a collaboration between PLA Vic/Tas Region, the Open Space Planners Network, the Cities of Melbourne, Hume, Bayside, Banyule, Casey and Ballarat and the Shire of Wellington. Funding was also provided by the Department of Planning and Community Development to support the Guide’s development.

This Open Space Planning and Design Guide advocates on behalf of the industry that:

Open space is vitally important in the development and sustainability of communities;
Sufficient quantity and quality of open space is critical in the planning of communities; and
A no ‘net loss’ policy for the provision of open space is a sound policy position.

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