The City of Ballarat has adopted a policy aimed at ensuring more equitable access to sporting and recreation facilities and programs for all genders.

At its June ordinary meeting, Ballarat City Council endorsed the Fair Access Policy, which seeks to address known barriers experienced by women and girls in accessing and using community sports infrastructure.

This policy establishes the expectation that gender and equality is prioritised in relation to sporting infrastructure, reflecting the City of Ballarat’s commitment to equal opportunity.

This would include, but is not limited to, the provision of female-friendly sporting change rooms, adding gender-based reporting into booking systems to collect data, undertaking Gender Impact Assessment’s on City of Ballarat strategies, and supporting local clubs to embed the principles.

A Fair Access Policy action plan will also be developed as part of a refresh of the Active Ballarat Strategy, due to take place in the 2024/25 financial year.

In the last four years the City of Ballarat has completed 12 projects with a focus on female-friendly access, with new builds or refurbishments at seven football/netball facilities and five soccer facilities.

Future sporting projects that have a female-friendly focus include the Doug Dean Reserve Changerooms Upgrade, City Oval Change Rooms Refurbishment and the Marty Busch Reserve No.2 Oval Changerooms.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said formalising the Fair Access Policy cemented the Council’s existing approach to gender equality at its sporting facilities.

“For a number of years now we have focused on keeping gender equality front of mind when it comes to our project planning and service delivery and I’m proud of the progress we have already made in this space,” he said.

“The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all genders and intersections can fully participate in all aspects of community sport, whether it is as a player, coach, administrator, official, volunteer, or spectator.”

Words: based on a media release issued by the City of Ballarat. Image: Supplied.

The Hepburn Shire has adopted its first Fair Access Policy at its June meeting held recently.

The council has developed the Hepburn Shire Fair Access Policy to address known barriers experienced by women, girls, trans and gender diverse people in accessing and using community sports infrastructure.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that the policy aims to progressively build the capacity of the council to identify and eliminate causes of gender inequality in policy, programs, communications and delivery of services in relation to community sports infrastructure.

“Sport and recreation are a highly visible and valued part of our Shire’s culture and identity,” Cr Hood said.

“Our local clubs and organisations can support our community through the promotion of respect and fair mindedness for all people, leading to benefits for the physical and mental health of our community.”

“Every person, regardless of their gender, has the right to participate in sport and recreation feeling safe and welcome,” Cr Hood said.

The Policy and Action Plan are based on the five Fair Access Principles of:

• inclusivity
• full participation
• equal representation
• encouraging and supporting user groups; and
• prioritising user groups committed to equality.

The policy was developed after community consultation, including a community survey, and direct engagement with sporting clubs, and Hepburn Shire’s Gender Equity, LGBTIQA+, Disability and Reconciliation Advisory Committees.

The Victorian Office for Women in Sport and Recreation also reviewed the draft Fair Access Policy.

All Victorian councils are required to have in place a gender equitable access and use policy (or equivalent) by 1 July 2024 to remain eligible for State Government community sports infrastructure funding.