Council adopts Active and Healthy Greater Bendigo Framework

The Greater Bendigo City Council has adopted an Active and Healthy Greater Bendigo Framework to guide how the City will support and invest in sport and active recreation in the future.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the framework is a decision-making tool that was developed in consultation with key community stakeholders who use local sport and active recreation facilities, City staff and the current and previous Councils.

“The framework clearly explains the City’s role in providing sport and active recreation opportunities and will become a rulebook for how we make decisions about sport and active recreation projects, programs and activities,” Cr Metcalf said.

“The sport and active recreation landscape has changed dramatically over recent years and is continuing to evolve with newly emerging priorities and trends.

“It is now widely acknowledged that sport and active recreation is an integral part of our community that is essential to our health and wellbeing, therefore it’s important for the City to reflect on the way we work in the sport and active recreation setting to provide the services and facilities that continue to meet community needs and expectations.

“While the City already supports and invests in sport and active recreation in a number of ways by designing, constructing, maintaining and enhancing local facilities it also supports local sporting clubs by providing governance support, financial information and guidance regarding facility hire and usage.

“The framework includes six key components – guiding pillars and priorities, participation trend analysis, targets for physical activity, a requirement for a four-year strategic resource plan, policy statements for the development of key supportive policy and an evaluation plan.

“It aims to provide fairness and clarity for the community and enable fair and consistent allocation of resources.”

The framework is available to view on the City’s website at

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/About/Document-Library/active-and-healthy-greater-bendigo-framework-2022-pdf

/Public Release. View in full here.