State Sport & Recreation Infrastructure Plan 2020-40 3 Minister’s message 4 Introduction 9 Potential benefits of Sport & Recreation Infrastructure 14 What we learned 16 Identified needs 24 Final considerations Image front cover: Adelaide Oval and Riverbank Footbridge Source: Alamy 2 Minister’s message The Plan represents our state’s sport and A strategic approach to investment recreation infrastructure priorities at this in sport and recreation infrastructure point in time; however, it is a dynamic also helps to maintain our state’s high document, enabling us to be nimble and liveability status. We want to develop respond to opportunities as they emerge. facilities that fill current gaps, are Planning is by its very nature constantly accessible, and encourage all South evolving. Inevitably projects may stall for Australians to live an active and a variety of reasons, and others will gain healthy lifestyle. significant momentum quickly. I would like to take this opportunity to This plan is being released in the midst thank all of the individuals, sporting of the most significant public health and clubs, councils and other dedicated economic challenge of our lifetime. The stakeholders for participating in financial impact of COVID-19 will mean consultation forums and providing that the State’s investment decisions feedback for the Plan. I would also like The Marshall Government will lead our in the future will need to be measured, to thank the Office for Recreation, Sport state into a sporting golden era through a requiring sound business cases to and Racing (ORSR) for leading the bold new plan. From grassroots sporting support the prioritisation of limited development of the Plan. groups to elite athletes and the facilities resources. In this environment, the There is nothing stopping us from needed to support them, this plan sets Plan’s objectives represent our long term becoming the number one sporting state out how we will change the game for commitment to sport in the state. in the nation, but we all need to own this sport and recreation in our state. The Government will investigate and goal and play our part in achieving it. I am thrilled to present to you the State seek to advance projects that drive The Plan is an invitation to everyone to Sport and Recreation Infrastructure investment, attract elite athletes and take a fresh look at the opportunities Plan (the Plan), which will position South inspire young sportspeople to achieve available for sport and sport Australia (SA) as a national and world their dreams. infrastructure development. Together, leader in sport and recreation. we can take steps towards transforming This investment will boost construction this sector and stepping into our new role The Plan recognises that sporting and tourism and have a positive impact as a sporting leader in Australia and on facilities that are high quality, on the health, education and economy of the world stage. contemporary and support the our State. The Plan is also a call to action attraction of significant national and for government and stakeholders to get international sporting events will show the SA community more active . our competitors that we are open for Infrastructure is the backbone of success sporting business and there is no better which is why the State Government place for future athletes to live, train and has already got the ball rolling with compete than in SA. Hon Corey Wingard MP the completion of the Memorial Drive Minister for Recreation, Sport Our recent investigation confirms that upgrade. This saw us successfully secure and Racing investment in local facilities is the key to a five-year deal to host the Adelaide laying a solid foundation to achieve our International starting in 2020, which was goal. Establishing these building blocks the first international tennis competition will help foster growth for our future in Adelaide since 2008. The success of athletes, lift the standard of training and the International had a flow on effect, competitions and encourage more South which saw Adelaide host the Davis Cup Australians to participate in sport. tie in March 2020. 3 1 Introduction Delivering economic growth resources, facilities and venues are with regions, councils and state sport and creating prosperity for all important to continue to inspire people and recreation organisations to develop South Australians is a focus and meet this demand. Central to the infrastructure plans which will feed into Plan is the identification of what future versions of the Plan. Pilot work is for the State Government. High South Australians need from their being undertaken with a range of sports quality sport and recreation sport and recreation facilities, both using a platform and its metadata infrastructure generates economic now and in the future, so the State capabilities to predict potential areas of benefits, contributes to our high Government can lead the charge for growth and opportunities to increase liveability standards, and provides change and investment. facility access and membership. opportunities to showcase SA as Successful facility planning and The Plan will completely change the a first-rate tourist destination, development require corporate dynamic for councils, associations, as well as an exciting place to live, partnerships from a range of clubs and community organisations work, study and do business. stakeholders, particularly councils, seeking State Government investment who are the heart and major provider in sport and recreation infrastructure. of sport and recreation activities in Good ideas will no longer be considered South Australians have a distinctive our communities. We want to work ready for investment; proponents must passion for sport and our growing with councils, as well as the private undertake the necessary planning, population is increasingly keen to watch sector and individual investors, to feasibility and business case work and participate in it. Therefore, the develop strong partnerships that bring before making representation for capabilities and quality of our sporting everyone’s contributions together to funding. This will ensure that we do not maximise the outcome for our state. see a repeat of past practices which include projects failing to commence During the research phase of the Plan, for many years after being funded, we discovered that obtaining supply funding shortfalls because projects and demand data from sporting weren’t properly scoped out or projects organisations was very challenging failing to be financially sustainable with many gaps in the information once built. needed. Despite the challenges, we identified over 200 projects with costs Technological advancement, changing greater than $2 million, providing a human behaviours, population growth, good indication of community needs. ageing, and urbanisation are just some of the major forces impacting and The onset of COVID-19, and the influencing the demand for sport and unprecedented economic and social recreation infrastructure, and the nature challenges it presents highlights the of facilities required. critical importance of sport to society and the economy. It is likely however, Whether it be the introduction of to impact the sector’s ability to invest new sport, demographics, rules, in infrastructure, particularly over standards or formats, community Glenelg Beach, Adelaide the short-term. The Government is needs and demands are everchanging. South Australian Tourism Commission committed to working with sporting These changes require updates in /Josie Withers organisations and the private sector infrastructure design in order to realise to ensure the State maximises its the full range of economic benefits investment in key infrastructure available from a participation, viewer wherever possible. and spectator standpoint. The following were considered in the development of In order to predict the future demand the Plan. and prioritise, the Government will work 4 1 Socio-economic status • Infrastructure must be built using connected with spectators thanks to and participation the principles of universal design to technology-enabled advancements People living in the highest areas ensure people with a disability are including improved camera angles, of disadvantage have the lowest able to participate. live decision review systems, better participation rates in sport and analysis and statistics, interactive • Infrastructure must cater for the recreation. Therefore, consideration mobile applications, virtual reality and increase of female participation must be given to how we develop, social media. in ‘traditionally male’ sports and upgrade and maintain infrastructure councils and sporting organisations Future sport and recreation in areas facing disadvantage to enable need to show leadership and infrastructure improvements must equal participation from all people. schedule equal access to facilities. consider technology advancements to We must also provide appealing remain contemporary and appealing to recreation and open spaces that are Modifications or adjustments could spectators, viewers and participants at low cost and unstructured. include reducing field dimensions, venues and at home. The recent addition handicapping, limiting physical contact, of upgraded lighting and sound systems 2 Access for all changing the type of equipment used at the Adelaide Oval is an example Older Australians, people from 1 and reducing competition time. of work to a key facility to ensure it culturally and linguistically