The Equitable Access and Usage Policy is about Council’s commitment to inclusivity and access to all. It establishes the expectation that gender equality is considered and prioritised in all current and future planning, policy, service delivery and practice as they relate to community sport infrastructure.
The Policy provides a management framework to address barriers experienced by women and girls in accessing and using community sport infrastructure. The purpose is to ensure all voices, concerns, and experiences, are an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring of policies and programs.
It aims to ensure Bellingen Shire Council complies with all current relevant legislation and related policies and seeks to strengthen community sports participation, wellbeing and connectivity as appropriate in its role as a local government agency.
The Policy aims to progressively build capacity and capability at Bellingen Shire Council in identification and elimination of systemic causes of gender inequality in community sport infrastructure design, policy, program development and delivery, communication and delivery of sport and related services in all community sport infrastructure.
Council has made application to the Level the Playing Field Program for additional lighting at the Connell Park Reserve. An approved Equitable Access and Usage Policy and Action Plan is required by 30 June 2024 to remain eligible for funding under the Level the Playing Field Program.
The Draft Policy and Action Plan was endorsed by Council at the Ordinary Meeting held on 24 April 2024 where it was resolved to place the documents on public exhibition for a period of no less than 28 days.
Council encourages you to review the Policy and Action Plan and provide any feedback by no later than 5pm on Sunday 26 May 2024.