It's time for Fair Access
Published on 08 March 2024
This International Women’s Day, have your say on our draft Fair Access in Sport Policy
In celebration of International Women's Day and in line with this year's theme 'Count Her In', Murrindindi Shire Council is inviting community members to provide feedback on an important draft Policy that is set to address known barriers experienced by women and girls in accessing community sport.
Council’s draft Fair Access in Sport Policy is a positive action towards achieving gender equity in the access and use of community sports facilities. It aims to ensure gender equity is considered and prioritised in all current and future planning, policy, service delivery, and practice related to community sport and recreation.
By 1 July 2024, all Victorian councils are required to have gender equitable access and have policies in place, to be considered eligible to receive infrastructure funding, as set out in the State Government’s Fair Access Policy Roadmap.
To inform the development of the draft Policy, Council sought feedback from the community late last year on what makes it difficult or challenging to get involved in local sport. We did this through an online survey and in person conversations. We heard that transport, scheduling, facility design and cost are among the main barriers that women face.
We’re now seeking feedback on the draft Policy and the supporting Action Plan, which outline a range of initiatives related to local sporting infrastructure, club development and support, and community participation and education. We want to know if we’ve got it right, and if we’re focusing on the right areas.
To provide feedback, community members and sports clubs can complete an online survey by visiting our online Engagement Platform The Loop here or by contacting our Library and Customer Service Centres in person or by calling (03) 5772 0333.
Feedback must be received by 5 April 2024.
Council’s Community Wellbeing and Economic Development Portfolio Councillor Sandice McAulay said “I’m pleased to celebrate International Women’s Day (IDW) with the release of the draft Fair Access in Sport Policy. The theme of this year’s IWD is all about providing women with equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead. Based on what we are hearing from our communities, there are still significant challenges and barriers when it comes to participating in local community sport and recreation. While our Policy won’t solve these issues immediately, it will support Council to make progress towards achieving a more equal playing field for women and girls in our Shire. We encourage everyone in our community to have their say on this important policy to ensure our mothers, sisters and daughters have fair access to sports."