Planning for the future of sport and recreation in Ballarat

City of Ballarat Councillors adopted the Recreational Infrastructure Plan and Prince of Wales Park Master Plan at the August Council Meeting.  

The Recreation Infrastructure Plan will guide planning and decision making relating to sport and recreation to meet the needs of the community over the next 15 years.  

The Prince of Wales Park Master Plan sits under the Recreation Infrastructure Plan and will guide the future direction of the key sports and uses of the sporting precinct.  

Both master plans were informed by community consultation processes.  

Recreation Infrastructure Plan 2024-2039 

The Recreation Infrastructure Plan reflects the City of Ballarat’s intention to invest in recreation infrastructure to support the health and wellbeing of the community.  

Consultation on the draft plan took place throughout July, with Council Officers receiving 161 surveys and 11 direct submissions.  

Following the consultation period, Council Officers proposed minor changes to the plan to address feedback, including revised timeframes for specific projects, and providing better clarity and expressing concepts more clearly.  

Council Officers will formally review the Recreation Infrastructure Plan every two years.  

Prince of Wales Park Master Plan 

The Prince of Wales Master Plan will secure the long-term facility provision for hockey, baseball and archery, while ensuring upgrades for the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre, parkrun, tennis and a further commitment to ongoing maintenance for croquet.  

The Master Plan was adopted following an extensive consultation period, which involved direct engagement with affected user groups, including sporting clubs and residents.  

Council officers also received 412 community survey responses and nine direct submissions, providing feedback on the draft plan.  

Based on consultation submissions, Council Officers proposed revisions to the draft Master Plan that made clearer commitments to addressing concerns about light and noise impacts on nearby residents, and clarifications on scope for the future pavilions proposed for the reserve.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the Recreation Infrastructure Plan and Prince of Wales Park Master Plan reflected Council’s intention to invest in the health and wellbeing of the community.  

“We know that sport and recreation play a key role in supporting all aspects of health and wellbeing — from physical and mental health to the promotion of social connection,” he said.  

“These plans will ensure that Ballarat residents continue to have access to high-quality, accessible sporting and recreation facilities into the future, which underpin the flourishing of sport and recreation in our community."