Council has moved to update its management model for sportsgrounds and Council facilities; improving community involvement in future planning, easing the burden on volunteers and streamlining the customer experience for users.

Under the changes agreed at Tuesday’s Council meeting, sportsground committees will now transition to Sportsground Volunteer Engagement Forums in consultation with the current committees, with the day to day management and bookings of the facilities to be looked after by Council staff to provide a consistent booking and management model for across the Shire.

The new site-specific sportsground volunteer engagement forums will give members a big say in the facilities, providing strategic advice on the future of the facilities and effective operation, while Council will manage the operational work of the day-to-day services including bookings, financials and maintenance. Consultation on the new model will be undertaken with the committees and the broader community.

Council recognises the importance committees have played in supporting and providing the facilities that underpin much of the social infrastructure for the Wollondilly community.

Deputy Mayor Matthew Deeth said, “I would like to recognise and show appreciation for our volunteers who have been working so hard to manage these community facilities for many years.”

“In making this change, we want to help focus their time and efforts on the important role of how the facilities operate effectively and improve in the future, as well as avoid the burnout of committee members by removing the burden that these models bring to our volunteers.”

‘People have had to invest a significant amount of their time on the running of these facilities and we’d like to see this time invested where it matters most.”

“Community feedback has highlighted the need for a consistent booking and customer experience across all of Council’s parks and facilities. As we work towards a Shire-wide management system, Council staff will take over much of the day to day work from these committees.”

“We’re also keen to see if this model could be effective for other facilities across the Shire and have asked the CEO to bring back a report looking at how the model could work for other volunteer groups, facilities and towns or villages where there is genuine interest and support for stronger engagement”

“Our goal is to have more community members actively involved n working with Council on how we best manage our important community assets”.

The existing committees will cease operation by 31 March 2025 and a Council-managed system will be implemented for bookings, payments, and maintenance of all Council facilities and parks from 1 April 2025, with appropriate resourcing to facilitate a smooth transition.

All committees will be formally notified of Council’s decision and informed of the ongoing opportunities for consultation.

A report to Council will also be prepared outlining options for piloting the new engagement model with other existing volunteer groups, and options for future rollout to other facilities, towns or villages where there is genuine interest and support for stronger engagement, along with any resourcing implications.