VIC/TAS Awards Submissions 2025

Monash University

Dr. Michael Butson is an affiliate at Monash University in the Faculty of Education and a secondary school teacher. His research focuses on the recruitment and retention of employees in aquatic and leisure facilities, as well as increasing leisure-time physical activity participation among older adults.

National Ageing Research Institute

Boroondara City Council

Knox City Council

The installation of Seniors Exercise Parks and the implementation of supportive programs across six upgraded parks have significantly increased park visitation and physical activity among older people. By transforming public spaces into age-friendly, active environments, the project has created vibrant community hubs in six Victorian municipalities, where older adults can gather, exercise, and socialise—promoting health, well-being, and stronger, more connected communities.

Maroondah City Council

The Maroondah Tennis Strategy provides a 10-year plan for collaborating with partners to improve the accessibility and inclusion of tennis in Maroondah, inform capital priorities and increase participation. Investing resources to build the capacity of tennis clubs, improve infrastructure and support opportunities for social and casual play will be key priorities to ensure that tennis as a sport continues to thrive in Maroondah.

Federation University

Australian Sports Commission

The Cost to Deliver and Play Sport research project is a national study investigating the cost to play sport and the costs for local clubs to deliver community sport.

City of Whittleseea

Timbertop Park marks a new approach to playground renewal for local councils. Housing estate playgrounds are often over-designed for marketing, making replacement within budget a challenge when it’s due for renewal. The existing playground at Timbertop Park was small, underwhelming, and in poor condition. The shelter, on the other hand, was over-designed, with significant investment in its sculptural steel poles that, while visually striking, did little to enhance the park’s functionality. This highlighted the need for a more creative, sustainable approach to renewals. Projects should focus on

City of Whittleseea

McGregor Coxall

Convic

Led by a forward- thinking master plan, Whittlesea Public Gardens has transformed from its aspirations as a traditional botanic garden into a vibrant regional park that blends structured and unstructured recreation with nature. The redesign introduces urban playrooms linked by a central spine, creating a multifunctional space to serve a diverse community while strengthening connections to the broader open space network. This redevelopment meets the evolving needs of a growing population, fostering inclusivity, community wellbeing, and environmental resilience for a lasting impact.

East Gippsland Shire Council

Orbost's Forest Park showcases Orbost in a contemporary and historic way. The revitalisation of the play space has blended into the historic landscape of the surrounding parkland while complementing the architectural feature of the neighbouring Orbost Arts Centre. Using natural materials and visually pleasing play elements, Forest Park is the destination for locals and visitors.

Merri-bek City Council

Yubup Park, Brunswick, transforms an industrial site into a thriving community space. Aligned with Merri-bek City Council’s Park Close to Home framework, it ensures equitable access to open space in a growing urban area. The park blends heritage conservation with sustainable design, featuring deep soil planting, preserved industrial structures, and diverse social spaces for relaxation and play. Funded through developer contributions and state support, Yubup Park enhances well-being, fosters social connection, and serves as a model for innovative urban renewal.

City of Launceston (Council)

The Launceston Pump Track exemplifies best-practice, community-led design, resulting in a high-quality recreational asset that is inclusive and accessible to users of all ages, skill levels, and abilities.

SPORTENG

SPORTENG led the design and delivery of the Fortitude Drive Reserve sports field, transforming a greenfield site into a world-class athletics facility for Wyndham City Council. The project features a Class 2-certified polyurethane athletics track, a high-quality natural turf infield, and a multi-purpose kickabout space designed for future synthetic hockey field integration. Supporting infrastructure, including LED sports lighting, an advanced irrigation system, and a strategically planned car park, ensures long-term functionality and accessibility.

Melton City Council

The Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve Redevelopment is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility designed to support sports clubs and the broader community. It features gender-equitable, fully accessible, and environmentally sustainable design, promoting inclusivity and climate resilience.

SPORTENG

SPORTENG helped St Joseph’s College upgrade its sports facilities to support the growing student population and sporting excellence. The new precinct features durable surfaces for sports like football, rugby, and athletics, providing year-round access for students and local clubs. The multi-use space also hosts community events, promoting active lifestyles and local connections.

SPORTENG

SPORTENG played a key role in the redevelopment of Brennan Oval at Peninsula Grammar, creating a high-quality sporting facility to meet the needs of both students and the local community. The facility supports elite athletic performance and offers space for sports such as athletics and soccer. With its state-of-the-art features, including an organic infill synthetic soccer field, the facility also promotes sustainability. It is designed to host regional and state-level competitions, providing opportunities for local teams and helping all athletes develop their potential.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Overseen by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), the Victorian Government’s ‘More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West’ program seeks to plant 500,000 trees in Melbourne’s west, creating cooler spaces for communities to enjoy for generations. This $11.95 million initiative provides shade, green spaces, and reduces pollution, urban heat, and improves air quality. The program contributes to Victoria’s world-leading emissions reduction targets, supporting the goal of net zero emissions by 2045.

City of Greater Dandenong - Festivals and Events

Keysborough's Big Picnic, a free community event delivered by Festivals and Events team at City of Greater Dandenong, leverage Frederick Wachter Reserves facilities by bringing together 7,500+ attendees, promoting liveability, celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability. It demonstrated outstanding outcomes in community engagement, access, and environmental sustainability, making it an exemplary model for community based initiative.

Bass Coast Shire Council

Emerge Associates

Graydens Reserve Newhaven is the gateway to Phillip Island providing recreation opportunities to the 547 residents and visitors. The innovative master plan deals with regional level challenges and a hostile community, on a small budget. Creating an accessible, multi-use ball space, modern playspace and beginner level skate park for the whole community to enjoy. At the same time using creative solutions to minimising the potential loss of open green space from the proposed road re-alignment adjoining the Reserve.

Ascot Vale Leisure Centre

Using a range of targeted programs Ascot Vale Leisure Centre has proved that you don't need a new facility to make a huge impact on your community, on your team and on the environment.

Mornington Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Venues and Belgravia Leisure

Taking a revolutionary, collaborative approach to beach safety the Mornington Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Venues are delivering the ultimate community benefit - an approach that seeks to drive open-water safety long before a foot touches the sand.

Tract Consultants

Parks and leisure activities are key to delivering a quality life in balance with nature, however cities that provide win-wins for people and nature remain underdeveloped. The research promotes innovation in biodiversity in place by articulating an evidence-based co-benefit philosophy supported by typologies, design strategies, a site analysis process, and system insights. Co-benefits are actions that deliver mutually positive outcomes for nature and humans. This sets a new standard for how parks and leisure activities can be designed to promote biodiversity while delivering human outcomes.

City of Port Phillip

The City of Port Phillip has developed Dog Off-Leash Guidelines to create a framework for planning for dog off-leash areas. The delivery of the Dog Off-Leash Guidelines demonstrates a significant change and improvement in Council's strategic planning and delivery of dog off-leash areas. It is a key initiative towards delivering Council's strategic objective to provide a City that is a great place to live, where our community has access to high quality public spaces, development and growth are well managed, and it is safer and easy to connect and travel within.

City of Greater Geelong

The Lara Multi-Sport Facility enhances local sports infrastructure, providing modern and complaint facilities for AFL, baseball, and cricket, with a focus on women’s sport and accessibility. Designed with sustainability in mind, it features energy-efficient systems and inclusive design principles. Managed by the City of Greater Geelong, the project involved extensive community consultation and implementation of the Lara Recreation Reserve Master Plan (2019). It strengthens Lara’s community identity and offers a long-term asset for local growth and active participation. Live Lara, Play Lara.

Jacinta is a dedicated and multi-skilled leader at the City of Whittlesea with a passion for the role sport can play in people's physical and mental wellbeing and in developing an inclusive society. Jacinta has excellent relationship skills with both internal and external partners. Jacinta has seamlessly switched from operational roles to strategic roles and is continuously looking to develop her professional skills. Jacinta's leadership skills and passion have also been on display as a Facilitator at SALT (Sport and Life Training) and in the Change our Game Program for Next Generation Leaders

Manningham Council

In 3 years Council has made significant progress in realising the goals and objectives of the Ruffey Lake Park Masterplan. Enhancements to the infrastructure, recreation opportunities and environment ensures it remains Manningham’s premier park. This is a 10-15 year plan to improve the facilities and environment for the many visitors.

City of Launceston (Council)

Launceston's Road Safety Centre. Bringing an icon back to life.

City of Stonnington

The Stonnington Sports Centre is a state-of-the-art, community-driven facility designed to promote inclusivity, sustainability, and active living. With multi-sport indoor courts, upgraded outdoor fields, and cutting-edge sustainability features—including solar power, water retention systems, and gas-free operations—it sets a new benchmark for sports infrastructure. Developed through extensive community consultation, the centre fosters social connection, increases female sports participation, and enhances local well-being, making it a vital asset for current and future generations.

Ashley Dean is a transformational leader in the parks and leisure sector, driving strategic change, innovation, and inclusion. As an active member of Parks & Leisure Australia (PLA), he is shaping the future of sport and recreation through policy development, infrastructure planning, and digital transformation. A strong advocate for equity and diversity, Ashley has led major initiatives promoting fair access, community engagement, and industry collaboration. His expertise, leadership, and commitment to progress make him a driving force in the sector.

Colac Otway Shire

The redeveloped Memorial Square toilets, services Colac’s main shopping precinct, local bus and taxi interchange, local events held at Memorial Square, and the many tourists and tourist buses which drive through Colac to travel to the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road. The redeveloped toilet block provides a clean, safe and modern toilet facility for locals and visitors alike.

KINGSTON CITY COUNCIL

The Beauty Spot Memorial Park redevelopment in Carrum honours local wartime history while creating an inviting, sustainable community space. Guided by extensive community engagement, including input from the RSL and local residents, the project enhanced accessibility, added seating and shade, and protected native habitats. Featuring a new walking path, sensory garden, and public art, the park blends heritage with modern design. Using durable, eco-friendly materials, it ensures long-term sustainability, making it a vibrant, reflective space for future generations.

Colac Otway Shire

The Changing Place Facility in Memorial Square is the first such facility within Colac Otway Shire and part of the larger Memorial Square Public Toilet Redevelopment completed in June 2024. The purpose of this project was to fill a gap in lack of Changing Places facilities in Colac Otway Shire by providing such a facility which could be used by people with disability, their families and carers. Formerly, the nearest Changing Places facilities were in neighbouring Shires.

Brand Architects

Moorabool Shire Council

The Bacchus Marsh All-Abilities Adventure Playground is a vital community asset, fostering inclusivity, active play, and social connection. Designed for all ages and abilities, it integrates natural materials, sensory-rich play, and diverse gathering spaces. As part of a major infrastructure investment, it transforms the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Reserve into a vibrant precinct, linking key community sporting and recreational facilities to a central gathering space. Developed through expert input and strong community engagement, it provides a safe, engaging, and welcoming environment.