Parks and Leisure Australia Partnership to enhance community health and wellbeing

Sport Australia and Parks and Leisure Australia have launched a strategic partnership, united by a goal to enhance community health and wellbeing through sport and physical activity.

Sport Australia Chief Executive Kate Palmer and PLA President Paul Jane signed a partnership agreement at PLA’s national conference in Perth last month that will, in the future, expand into a memorandum of understanding on the peak body and Federal agency’s shared areas of interest.

Both organisations agree safe, accessible and modern infrastructure for sport and recreation is critical to encouraging more Australians to live active and healthy lifestyles.

Sport Australia’s vision is to make Australia the world’s most active sporting nation and Palmer says that goes hand-in-hand with providing suitable spaces and facilities.

“Developing safe and active spaces is a key priority for Sport Australia so we look forward to collaborating with Parks and Leisure Australia,” Palmer says.

“Sport Australia released a study last year that shows Australia’s community sport infrastructure generates more than $16 billion worth of social, health and economic benefits each year.

“The $100million Move It Aus Community Sport Infrastructure program is an example of important investment in happier, healthier communities.”

National President of the Parks and Leisure Australia Paul Jane says sport and recreation spaces are fundamental and positively contribute to the development of liveable, active and engaged communities.

“Australia is blessed with some wonderful spaces, including our natural outdoor resources, but we need to preserve and even enhance these if we want every Australian to enjoy the opportunity of an active, healthy lifestyle.

“Parks, reserves, sport and recreation facilities, pathways and public spaces are essential to any community. They are places for physical activity, relaxation and social interaction, contributing to the health and wellbeing of Australians.”

Sport Australia and Parks and Leisure Australia will work collaboratively to identify game changing solutions to increase participation and build industry capability.

A key feature of the partnership will be shared research, providing evidence for the planning and management of community sport infrastructure.

From left, Damien Hockley, Kate Palmer, Sue McGill, Paul Jane, Mark Band

/Sport Australia Public Release. View in full here.