Dowton Park Masterplan Extended Text Description

1. Expand representation on the Dowton Park management committee to include; an impartial community representative, the lawn bowls club, tennis club and basketball club, to establish a representative sport and recreation body for the Yarragon community.
2. Review the management and governance structure of the Dowton Park management committee and prepare a strategic plan according to Council’s Business Excellence Framework, with the goal of achieving a cohesive management body for the development and management of the facilities and coordinated programming of sport and recreation activities at Dowton Park and the efficient use of volunteers.

High

High

1. Expanded slightly. Not complete. Community and tennis representative/s now on committee.
2. Review of all management and use of Council recreation facilities completed 2010. Dowton Park to become a Section 86 Committee. Master Plan, capital works plan and prioritization undertaken by committee. No strategic plan update to date.

1. Prepare a master plan for the staged development of sport and recreation facilities at Dowton Park to incorporate: 1 additional football / cricket oval; 2 soccer playing areas; 2 additional netball courts; upgrade of existing netball courts to cater for tennis (to total 4 multi-use netball / tennis courts; extend to full size; open netball / tennis courts to allow for permanent public access; relocation / development of 1 lawn bowls green; floodlighting of main competition grounds / courts should be considered; associated change rooms), social rooms, spectator areas, storage and amenities; sports grounds and court surfaces should be developed to a standard that will tolerate the high rainfall experienced in the area and be commensurate with the standards expected by sporting associations; associated landscaping, path connections and security lighting, to include a pathway around and through the Park, car parking; a plan for the management and funding of the complex, including fees and charges for use that ensures access for disadvantaged population groups; staged development options; per strategy d) - action iii), make allowance for the development of a joint sports hall with the Education Department, to abut the proposed Primary School site. These desired facility components need to be accommodated within the existing footprint of Dowton Park (with consideration of partnership for the joint use of Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) land.
2. Identify the users of the community garden and liaise regarding the potential relocation of the garden south of the highway (consider housing at Dowton Park).

High

High

Council, community, sporting clubs

Council, community

1. Master Plan completed. Four (4) netball/tennis courts completed, new pavilion to service courts and second oval completed. Changes two (2) ovals in total, soccer on existing oval. Additions – Wetlands.
2. No action

1. Relocate the Yarragon Tennis Club from the Market Street park to Dowton Park as per Strategy (upon the development of appropriate standard tennis facilities).
2. In consultation with the community develop the Market Street park with youth oriented recreation facilities.
3. Consolidate playgrounds at the Hanns Lane reserve by relocating the small playground close to the residents’ rear fences with the main playground provided in the centre of the reserve.
4. Improve directional signage to the Hanns Lane reserve and playground from the retail area immediately north.
5. At the time of relocating the lawn bowls club to Dowton Park (in accordance with strategy 2.1), consider alternative community use of the old lawn bowls site, and sell if deemed appropriate.
6. Trial the establishment of an Active Communities recreation program through utilising the Dowton Park Committee of Management as a sport and recreation advisory body, and vehicle to liaise with and engage the broader Yarragon community.
7. Implement recommendations relevant to Yarragon from the Bicycle & Walking Paths Development Plan (1998), Improving the Pedestrian Environment in the Six Towns of Baw Baw Study (2006) and Integrated Transport Plan (pending completion).

Per action 2.1

Pending timing of tennis club relocation

Low

Medium

In accordance with Dowton Park Master Plan)

Medium

High

Council, community

Council, community, local youth, Primary School

Council, community

Council

Council, community

Council community

Council
 

1. Relocation of tennis club completed in 2010 after new facilities. Four flexipaved courts and pavilion.
2. Market Street Park Master Plan currently in draft and presented to community for comment
3. Playground equipment near residents’ fences could not be relocated. It was removed due safety concerns.
4. No action
5. Bowling Club have been consulted. They wish to remain in current site. Master Plan still allows for a green should the Club wish to relocate in future.
6. No outcomes.
7. Pathways in Dowton Park partially completed.

1. Investigate use of the public hall for basketball training as an interim measure until the development of the indoor multi-purpose venue in Trafalgar.
2. Ensure provision for the Yarragon Basketball Club in the planning and use of the indoor facility in Trafalgar.
3. Consider expanding the range of hobby based recreation activities at the public hall as community need develops (e.g. leisure, recreational, arts and culture based activities).
4. Facilitate involvement of the Yarragon community in the ‘Connect’ program to consider and address community transport needs for access to sport and recreation.

High

High

Low

Medium

1. Public hall can be used for a range of recreational and community activities.
2. Completed.
3. Public hall can be used for a range of recreational and community activities. Number of meetings.
4. No outcomes.

1. Promote sport and recreation opportunities available in Yarragon and surrounding areas in new estates through local promotion.
2. Implement community development initiatives such as training, provision of information and tools and direct assistance with sporting clubs and the community to build capacity in facility management, strategic planning and sport and recreation development (e.g. facility upgrade processes, legislation and policies, grant programs, participation programs). Focus should be directed to ensuring the provision of opportunities for participants of all abilities, that clubs develop sound management practices, that participation pathways are provided which cater for all levels of participation by both genders in all sports - from beginner to advanced. Particular support should be provided to newly formed committees (i.e. tennis club) to ease the process of establishment and development.

Ongoing

Ongoing

Community, Council

Council

1. Ongoing.
2. Ongoing – volunteer training sessions are held four times per annum with invitations sent to all committees, clubs and organisations. Committee roadshow, provision of tools and resources and council support to improve management of council facilities has bee undertaken over past two years.

1. Review the amount of financial support provided to community groups for the maintenance of Council facilities to enable clubs to upkeep facilities to the standards required that ensure the longevity of the assets.
2. Support the community and clubs with the implementation of this Plan and relevant actions from Council’s Recreation Plan.
3. Facilitate the trial provision of recreation and fitness programs in Yarragon through the Warragul Leisure Centre based in the public hall, Market Street Reserve, and promote to residents. Consider combining with Trafalgar if larger numbers are required for viability.
4. Liaise with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) regarding the trigger for the relocation of the Yarragon Primary School, and at the time of relocation, pursue the joint planning and development of a sports hall (equivalent to full size basketball court) in partnership with the school and Education Department.

High

Ongoing

Medium

Coincide with timing of DEECD
 

Council

Council

Council

Council, DEECD, Yarragon PrimarySchool, Yarragon Basketball Club

1. Review undertaken and additional financial support has been provided to committees over last few years.
2. Partially complete.
3. No outcomes.
4. State and Federal Government have made commitments to relocate school to Loch Street site. Estimated completion date is 2011. There has been no progress made to date on the indoor sports hall.