If you need an interpreter call TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be connected to us on 9490 4222.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during stage 1 engagement. Your ideas and suggestions helped guide the development of the draft Sporting Facilities User Guide and Allocation Policy, supporting fair and equitable access to Banyule’s sporting facilities for sporting clubs and the community.

We heard from more than 100 people through an online survey, drop-in sessions and targeted stakeholder workshops with sporting clubs.

To view a summary of 'what we heard' during stage 1 engagement and the full findings report, visit the tab below.

Based on your feedback:

Stronger rewards for inclusive and well-run clubs

  • Redeveloped rewards and recognition for clubs leading inclusive, safe and welcoming environments, and best-practice governance, with the fee discount increased from 5% to 10%.

A clearer approach to managing non-compliance

  • Introduced a traffic light system to provide a clearer process for managing non-compliance, including signage, unauthorised use and access issues.

More flexible signage arrangements

  • Updated signage rules to allow match-day signs from Thursday evening to Sunday evening and, with a planning permit, up to eight permanent signs across scoreboards, coaches’ boxes and pavilions.

Improved communication about facility allocations

  • Introduction of QR codes and Council website updates to communicate facility allocations for training and competition.

Clearer facility operating hours

  • Clarified pavilion and sports field operating times.

Simplified cleaning and maintenance requirements

  • Simplified cleaning guidelines and maintenance schedule for clubs.

Allowing sponsorship signs on permit-holder fencing for the entire season

  • Council-managed sporting reserves are public spaces that need to balance the needs of sporting clubs with the wider community.
  • Year-round sponsorship signage on fencing has not been included because it can create ongoing visual clutter and affect the amenity of public open spaces.

Providing clubs with exclusive year-round access to a sporting facility

  • This has not been included because Council manages around 40 pavilions and sportsgrounds that are shared by 56 winter and summer sporting clubs.
  • With growing participation and limited space for new facilities, Council must allocate access fairly across all users.
  • Sporting facilities are community assets and need to remain available for shared use across different sports and seasons.

Increasing access to sportsgrounds for pre-season training

  • This has not been included because sportsgrounds need time to recover after the winter season.
  • Spring and summer are important periods for turf renovation, maintenance and preparation works.
  • Allowing grounds to recover helps ensure they remain safe and in good condition for future use.

View the draft Sporting Facilities User Guide and Allocation Policy.

Get involved

Other ways to get involved

  • Community and sporting club sessions

    Come and chat to us about the Policy.

    • Sporting Club session (Register in the timeline)
      Wednesday 2 September, 6.30pm - 8pm
      Greensborough Service Centre (WaterMarc building)
      Community Rooms
    • Community session (Register in the timeline)
      Tuesday 8 September, 5.30pm - 7pm
      Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub
      Nellie Ibbot and Clara Southern Rooms
    • Combined sporting club/commuity session (Register in the timeline)
      Thursday 17 September, 1pm - 2pm
      This is an online session

  • Email the Healthy and Active Commuities Team

    Email the Healthy and Active Communities Team to book a 20 minute conversation (by phone or online) about the Sporting Facilities User Guide and Allocation Policy.

    Healthy and Active Communities Team
    sportrec@banyule.vic.gov.au

Stage 1 engagement

Community engagement

From 1 December 2025 - 18 January 2026, 102 people provided feedback to ensure fair access to Banyule's sporting facilities for both sporting clubs and the community, through an online survey, drop-in sessions with the community and a targeted stakeholder workshop with sporting clubs.

Take a look below at some of the other things we heard, or do a deeper dive by reading the Feedback Summary Report.

What we heard

  • Strong overall support

    There was strong overall support for the intent of the Sporting Facilities User Guide, especially its focus on inclusion, affordability and fair access.

  • Incentives for clubs

    There was support for:

    • Incentives for clubs that show good governance, gender equity and disability inclusion.
    • Increasing fee discounts for clubs that demonstrate these positive behaviours.

  • Key concerns

    • Frustration with restrictions on sponsorship signage.
    • Unclear rules about community access and how allocations are decided.
    • Conflicts at shared‑use sites.
    • Inconsistent maintenance standards and response times.
    • Cost of participating in sport, especially with rising living costs.

Next steps

The proposed draft SFUG will aim to:

  • Make rules and processes clearer and more transparent
  • Strengthen incentives for inclusive practices
  • Allow more flexibility where appropriate
  • Clearly explain maintenance and compliance expectations
  • Better balance the needs of organised sport and the wider community through improved communication.

Have your say on the draft Sporting Facilities User Guide and Allocation Policy until 23 September 2026.

What can you influence?

  • Rewards and recognition for clubs that demonstrate good practice.
  • Sponsorship signage rules and limits.
  • Access to sporting reserves and community use.
  • The proposed compliance process and traffic light system.
  • Cleaning and maintenance responsibilities.
  • Whether the guide and policy are clear and easy to understand.
  • How the proposed changes may affect you, your club or the community.
  • Any improvements or changes that should be considered before the guide is finalised.
  • Council will continue to have a Sporting Facilities User Guide and Allocation Policy.
  • Council will make the final decision on the policy.
  • Legal, safety, child safety and insurance requirements.
  • Season dates.
  • Preseason training restrictions.
  • Council's role in managing seasonal allocations.
  • Facility classifications and maintenance standards.
  • Public access to reserves and shared use of parkland.
  • Asset protection and compliance requirements.

Background

Use of sporting facilities in Banyule

Fair access to sports and facilities matters in Banyule. It helps keep people healthy and connected.

The Sporting Facilities User Guide and Allocation Policy outlines how sports facilities are managed, who can use them, and how they are allocated.

The User Guide outlines club and Council roles, responsibilities, and usage conditions; the Allocation Policy explains how allocation decisions are made.

The Policy review aims to:

  • set clear criteria for seasonal use of pavilions and grounds
  • explain the roles of Council and clubs, so that everyone understands their responsibilities
  • make sure facilities are allocated fairly

Your feedback will help shape a revised Sporting Facilities User Guide and Allocation Policy.