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Fair Access Policy for equal sports facility access introduced by Wellington Shire Council

Wellington Shire Council pioneers Gippsland's first Fair Access Policy, striving for equitable access to sports facilities, aiming to boost women and girls' participation, with input from stakeholders.

By news@gippsland - 4th April 2024 - Back to News

Wellington Shire Council is the first in Gippsland to adopt a policy designed to level the playing field when it comes to women and girls participating in sport and active recreation. Council hopes its new Fair Access Policy will deliver fair access to community sports facilities, including changerooms, ovals and courts, for all members of the community.

Led by the Victorian government, the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, reviewed by GippSport, involves external stakeholders, ensuring community voices are heard

Fair access for women

Fair Access Policy will hopefully lead to increased participation for women and girls in sport, from grassroots through to leadership roles, allowing Wellington's local sporting communities to prosper well into the future.

The policy is part of the Australia-first Fair Access Policy Roadmap, led by the Victorian government's Office for Women in Sport and Recreation in conjunction with VicHealth and Sport and Recreation Victoria, and was reviewed by GippSport.

The inclusion of external stakeholders in policy design has ensured the voices and experiences of the community are captured, such as GippSport's years of work improving opportunities for women and girls across the region.

Improving access for women

The policy, adopted in December 2023, seeks to address known barriers experienced by women and girls in accessing community and sporting infrastructure, making facilities safer, more inclusive, and welcoming environments for everyone. Actions from the Fair Access Policy include:

• Prioritising smaller infrastructure funding to address immediate or significant barriers, such as baby change facilities, change room cubicles and improved signage
• Ensuring adequate provision of lighting and cleaning of council-managed public facilities to ensure open space areas and supporting infrastructure are welcoming, safe and inclusive
• Providing training to committees of management and sporting clubs in partnership with key stakeholders including Change Our Game, GippSport and Gippsland Women's Health
• Collecting and monitoring sport participation and committee data to track progress over time, and ensuring diverse representation on committees

Earlier this year, Wellington was one of 12 councils to receive the Victorian government's Free From Violence Funding, which aims to eliminate gender-based violence. The funding will ensure actions from the Fair Access Policy can be implemented throughout Wellington, such as delivering active bystander and gender equity training to sporting and community groups.

Gender equality policy

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye acknowledged the disadvantaged position some individuals have in sport and recreation because of their gender - "and that's not on." "For the future of sport in Wellington, we need to make sure we encourage everyone to participate by making sure our thriving sporting community is a supportive and safe environment," he said.

"This policy aims to eliminate the systemic causes of gender inequality when it comes to developing council's policies, programs and communications, as well as delivering services relating to community sports infrastructure," Cr Bye said.

Inclusive sporting environments

Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Sarah Styles commended council's commitment to ensuring community sporting environments were welcoming, accessible and inclusive for all.

"The Office looks forward to continuing to work with all Victorian councils as gender equitable access and use policies are adopted state-wide, to create a level playing field for women and girls to fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of community sport," she said. To view the Fair Access Policy, visit Wellington Shire Council Policy website.

Pictures from Wellington Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Latrobe City Council is urging residents to stay alert during swooping season, avoid nesting areas where possible, check Victoria’s Swooping Bird Map and take precautions when walking outdoors.
• Australia Day Awards nominations closing soon and other council projects and program updates
  South Gippsland Shire Council shares updates on community awards, infrastructure, citizenship, seniors’ programs, events, grants, jobs, emergency preparedness, and public consultations about local swimming pools and essential community services.
• Warragul Leisure Centre extends outdoor pool season following community feedback with revised opening hours through April 2027
  Warragul Leisure Centre will extend outdoor pool access from October, introducing revised opening hours following community feedback, with the schedule continuing through April 10, 2027.
• East Gippsland property owners receive 2026/27 rates notices as council sets average increase below state cap
  East Gippsland property owners have received 2026/27 rates notices, with Council’s average increase set at 2.5%. Payment options, objections and face-to-face support are available for residents
• Marlo's Healeys road timber bridge to be replaced with stronger steel structure built for 100 years
  East Gippsland Shire Council will replace Marlo’s ageing Healeys Road timber bridge with a $642,780 steel structure, improving safety, access, load capacity and long-term reliability for local users.
• Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
  Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation.
• Latrobe City ratepayers to receive 2026/27 notices as council outlines $90.4M works program
  Latrobe City ratepayers will receive 2026/27 rates notices from late August, helping fund $90.4 million in capital works, essential services and community assets across the municipality.
• Free green waste disposal at South Gippsland transfer stations and other council updates
  South Gippsland Shire Council’s latest updates cover free green waste disposal, road maintenance, summer fire preparation, community events, bird flu advice, swimming pool feedback, energy planning and local opportunities.
• Walhalla Museum launches virtual reality experience bringing gold mining history to life for visitors through new Regional Tourism upgrade project
  Walhalla Museum has launched a $50,000-funded virtual reality experience showcasing its gold mining history, with multilingual and accessible visitor facilities supported through the Victorian government's Tiny Towns Fund.
• East Gippsland's new disability network brings diverse community voices together to help shape council decisions and services
  East Gippsland’s new Disability Network has attracted 33 expressions of interest, bringing together people with disability, carers, families and sector representatives to help shape Council decisions and improve accessibility.
• Become a Great Southern rail trail passport collection point with other updates from the South Gippsland Shire Council
  South Gippsland Council seeks Rail Trail Passport collection points, announces a youth bravery award, Toora roadworks, grants, community events, transport updates, tenders, services and opportunities.
• Sale residents urged to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals at free Detox Your Home event on 10 October 2026
  Wellington Shire residents can safely dispose of unwanted hazardous household chemicals at a free Detox Your Home event in Sale, helping protect waterways, people, animals and the environment.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• The Inverloch Glamping Co. offers a coastal escape with luxury tents, outdoor baths, ocean views, cosy cabins and nearby beaches, walking trails and wineries
  The Inverloch Glamping Co. offers a relaxing coastal retreat with luxury accommodation, outdoor baths, ocean views and easy access to beaches, scenic walks and local wineries.