Community engagement

Stage 1 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.

The draft Sporting Facilities User Guide will be made available to the community for feedback in early June 2026.

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. Thank you for sharing your feedback and helping us ensure it delivers the best outcomes for our community.

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 draft Sporting Facilities User Guide and Allocation Policy, which we'll share to make sure it meets everyone's needs.

Whay can you influence?

  • Signage (display and duration)
  • Current criteria for assessment
  • Incentives for clubs
  • Reintroduction of Demerit Points System or consequences of failure to comply
  • Responsibilities and expectations between Clubs and Council
  • Maintenance
  • That there will be a sporting facility user guide and allocation policy
  • Allocation for Clubs and how they work together in a council facility
  • Grading and classification of pavilions