MALENY DISTRICT SPORT AND

RECREATION CLUB INC

Submission to

Sunshine Coast Regional Council

for

MALENY PRECINCT MASTER PLAN

December 2008

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MALENY DISTRICT SPORT AND RECREATION

CLUB INC

CONTENTS PAGE

1. Background on MDSRC 3

2. Review of Sporting and Recreational Facilities 4

3. Open Space Strategy Report and Demographic Projections 7

4. Maleny Precinct Community Working Group 7

5. MDSRC Draft Design Brief 8

5.1 Club house 8 5.2 Sports facilities 9 5.3 Environmental considerations 12

6. Accommodating MDSRC Affiliated Clubs on the Maleny Precinct 14

7. Business Plan 18

8. Conclusion 18

9. APPENDIX Consultants’ Reports on Sporting Facilities 20

MALENY UNDER 7 SOCCER TEAM AT SUNCORP STADIUM

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1. Background on MDSRC Maleny District Sport and Recreation Club had its inaugural meeting on 13 February 2008 and was incorporated on 9 May 2008. The Club’s objectives are:-

• To create, establish, and sustain community sport and recreation facilities on the Maleny Precinct to serve Maleny and surrounding districts.

• To promote sport and all other recreational opportunities for Maleny

and surrounding districts.

• To cooperate with and support other similar facilities in the Maleny and surrounding districts.

1.1 Clubs Affiliated with MDSRC Sport Maleny Bowls Club Maleny Cricket Club Maleny Junior Cricket Club (Maleny Redbacks) Maleny Croquet Club Maleny Golf Club Maleny Gym Maleny Little Athletics Maleny Pony Club Maleny Junior Rugby Maleny Rangers Soccer Club Maleny Swimming Club Maleny Tennis Club Witta Tennis Club Maleny Witta Touch Football Association Montville Table Tennis Club Witta Sports Club Recreation Maleny Contract Bridge Club Maleny Combined Church Youth Group Maleny Drama Association Maleny Singers Incorporated Maleny History Preservation and Restoration Society (Historical Society) Blackall Range Horseless Carriage Association Corporate Maleny Chamber of Commerce Maleny Show Society Sunshine Coast Landowners Association 1.2 Individual MDSRC Members at December 2008 230 in total

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2. Review of Sporting and Recreational Facilities Soon after incorporation, MDSRC conducted a review of sporting facilities in the Maleny and Witta area. A copy of this document was submitted to SCRC on 28 October 2008. The rationale utilised in compiling the sports audit was to:-

• understand the current position of sporting and social groups

• understand the needs and aspirations of the sports and social groups

• project these needs into the future

• understand the ability of the Maleny Show Society and the Witta Sports Club to host the clubs now and into the future

• accommodate perceived shortfall in the facilities into other areas, particularly the Precinct, where a consolidation of interests could lead to satisfaction by the users, cost savings and long term financial viability

2.1 Existing Sport and Recreation Venues The MDSRC Sports Audit reviewed the current usage of sporting venues in the Maleny district. It then assessed current and future requirements, based on interviews with involved sporting and recreational clubs. Sports that we believe should be located on the Maleny Community Precinct will be considered later. Those activities that we believe should be accommodated on venues other than the Maleny Precinct are as follows:- 2.1.1. Maleny Showgrounds

• Maleny Show Society – Head Office and showground management

• Equestrian - Indoor arena for Dressage Show jumping Polocross Maleny Light Horse Brigade Holding area for competition horses

• Tennis - Self contained clubhouse and ablutions Two courts with synthetic grass surfaces Three hard surface courts

• Croquet – Self contained area

• Maleny Cricket Club – Two ovals that are also utilised by Maleny Junior Cricket Club (Redbacks)

• Maleny Drama Association – Self contained building utilised for storage and drama workshops

• Maleny Singers – Combined area with Maleny Drama Association

• Maleny SES – Self contained building shared with Maleny Rural Fire Brigade

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• Naval Cadets – TS Centaur building

• Maleny National Fitness Club – main pavilion

• Maleny Arts and Crafts – Self contained Maleny Arts and Crafts building SCRC has acknowledged that there are generally insufficient ablution and changing facilities at the Maleny Showgrounds to cater for all of the above. 2.1.2. Witta Sports Club

• Self contained clubhouse with canteen facilities, adequate changing and ablution facilities, covered spectator seating facilities and good parking.

• Witta Tennis Club – A self contained tennis complex comprising one hard surface court and one synthetic grass surface court.

• Rugby Union – One full sized Rugby Union field and an acceptable practice area. Maleny Junior Rugby uses this field as their home ground in winter and Maleny Witta Touch Football Association utilises the field in summer when the field is usable.

It is acknowledged that because of the low lying topography of the fields they do become waterlogged during the traditionally wet months of the year. In an effort to improve the situation Council’s Service Delivery Agenda dated 14 October 2008, file number 22/25/002 from Chris Fenoughty indicated the following:- “Finance and Resourcing Between the 2005/2006 and 2007/2008 financial years, a total of $37,513 was expended on the Witta Recreational Reserve Master Plan. In 2008/9 the Master Plan Implementation works have received $150,000 towards the rectification of the sports field playing surfaces and the implementation of field lighting. This funding is part of the Sports Development sub-programme of the Recreational Infrastructure Programme with funding being provided as a result of the sale of Corbould Park Racecourse in 2007. Although the site is freehold land owned by the Management Committee they are not in a current financial position to conduct major facility upgrades which are required to service the sporting and recreational needs of the Maleny Plateau. The memo advises that the Witta Recreational Master Plan has a good chance of receiving matching grant funds from the Department of Sport and Recreation Queensland (SRQ) under the local Sports Recreations Programme 2009.” It is acknowledged by MDSRC that these funds should be applied for as any upgrade of the Witta Sports Club would be beneficial for the hinterland. It should however be recognised that the development of the Witta Sports Club should be done to complement the overall sporting development on the Range and not done to exclude the very necessary development on the Precinct.

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2.1.3. Appointment of Consultants Robyn Douglas (Coordinating Manager Strategy South) confirmed on 8 December 2008 by memo the engagement of technical consultants in relation to:-

• Sporting needs – strategic leisure – David Mason • Environmental management – Australian wetlands – Cameron Milne

The information presented by these consultants will be utilised to assist Council in the review of submissions received from the Community Working Group and inform the project brief for the Master Planning phase. It is hoped that the information provided in the MDSRC Sports Audit will also be taken into account by Council. MDSRC would be happy to discuss any aspects of the Sports Audit with Mr Mason.

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3. Open Space Strategy Report and Demographic Projections The Caloundra City Council Open Space Strategy (August 2007) drew two important conclusions relating to the Maleny Plateau. It recognised that the Maleny Plateau (see page 87) had an existing surplus of “Recreation Park (local and district) for now (five hectare plus five hectare respectively) and up to 2026 a surplus of (four hectare plus four hectare respectively)”. By way of contrast the strategy estimated that there was a current shortfall of six hectares on the Maleny Plateau 2006 for “multi-user sports” and that this would blow out to seven hectares by 2026. The recommendation of the strategy (see page 87) is that the “shortfall of the plateau be referred to the Community Precinct Planning Process and the review of the Recreation Reserve Master Plan and further consideration of land at the Old Witta School to accommodate the shortfall”. Thus Council’s own studies have recognised a shortfall in sporting facilities on the Maleny Plateau and see the Maleny Precinct as playing a role in addressing this shortfall. The estimated shortfall in the “multi-user sports” area is probably an underestimate since the estimates were based on a 2006 population of 4,311 and reaching 5,049 by 2026 and remaining constant thereafter. By way of contrast the total number of persons in postcode 4552 according to the Bureau of Statistics was 7,279 in 2006. Of particular interest and concern is the paucity of individuals in the 15 to 24 age group (585) compared with the 5 to 14 age group (1,028) and the 25 to 54 age group (2,666). The local church youth group have argued that these statistics indicate that young men and women in the 15 to 24 age group are forced to leave the Maleny Plateau through lack of job and leisure opportunities. There was a Hinterland Recreation Study conducted by Stratcorp for Caloundra City Council in 2005. For some obscure reason this Hinterland Study covered the so called “railway towns” but did not include Maleny and the Mary Valley. Fortunately for the Maleny Plateau our area was covered in the CCC Open Space Strategy, which identified the shortfall of sporting facilities in this area. 4. Maleny Precinct Community Working Group On 1 Sept 2008 the SCRC established the Maleny Precinct Community Working Group under the leadership of Cr Jenny McKay. The purpose of this group was to finalise community submissions on areas identified as requiring further investigation as per the Development Intent Statement for the Maleny Precinct Plan (23 Nov 2007). Specifically, area 7A was described as a central sports and recreational area. In part the statement said “This area will accommodate sport and recreation activities including a mixture of sporting fields to meet current and future needs as well as providing flexibility to meet the future sporting needs of Maleny on relatively flat land (subject to current access issues being resolved).” Areas of further investigation related to:-

• Master planning to determine particular facilities and their location • Completion of an Environmental Management Plan • Access issues to be resolved

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5. MDSRC Draft Design Brief 5.1. Clubhouse Fundamental to the success of the project and the ongoing financial viability of the central sports area, details of which will be incorporated into the MDSRC business plan, would be the creation of a centralised clubhouse. This facility would provide:-

• Centralised changing and ablution facilities for all sports and recreational purposes

• Centralised refreshment, canteen and restaurant facilities for all sports and recreational purposes

• Centralised on-the-spot medical support for all sport with the added advantage of being in close proximity to the hospital

• Centralised parking area that would satisfy the needs of not only the sporting and recreational participants but also visitors to the northern and central park areas and the garden area (areas 1A and 1B). There could in addition be space to accommodate overflow parking from Barung (Area 3) and the southwest community facility (Area 6)

• Centralised ground maintenance, for parks, gardens, golf course, and sporting facilities including storage of equipment. This ground maintenance facility may be positioned in the top north eastern corner of Area 7, on the site originally used by the old Armstrong dairy

• Centralised management to oversee the operations of the Precinct and all its facets

• To provide a “home” for many of the sporting and social clubs which at present have nowhere to display their memorabilia, trophies or history, to socialise and hold meetings

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5.2 Sports Facilities 5.2.1. Number of Fields During the design stage of the Precinct sports fields the needs of the many sporting bodies have been considered. Calculations for sporting requirements on the Maleny Precinct were based on the total requirements for the Maleny Witta region. The total requirements (see below) are based on submissions from the representatives of participating sporting bodies. Winter field requirements (March to September) DAYS PRACTICE FIXTURES SOCCER Tuesday/Thursday 3 fields " Friday/Saturday 2 fields TOUCH FOOTBALL Friday 2 fields RUGBY UNION Thursday 2 fields " Friday/Saturday 2 fields

TOTAL 5 fields 6 fields Summer field requirements (October to February) DAYS PRACTICE FIXTURES CRICKET All week 2 ovals 2 ovals TOUCH FOOTBALL Friday 2 fields SOCCER Thursday 1 field " Friday/Saturday 2 fields

TOTAL 1 field + 2 ovals 4 fields + 2 ovals No provision has been made in these estimates for Rugby League or Australian Rules football as these sports are not played in Maleny at present. As a result of these total requirements, the following sports fields have been incorporated into the proposed Maleny Precinct layout. Two fields have been designed to accommodate rugby union (120m x 70m) but these fields would also accommodate full soccer fields (1st league 105m x 70m), or touch football fields (2 fields 50m x 70m). In addition two fields have been designed to accommodate “small sided” fields for soccer and rugby union, half sized fields for soccer, rugby union and touch football, and full sized fields for touch football and soccer. These two fields would in addition accommodate a full 400m standard athletics track (see figure 1). Maleny is very proud of its Youth Development Programme and the number of junior players of both sexes who participate in different outdoor field sports. In order to accommodate them in their various age groups a range of different field sizes with many different field markings need to be made available and have been included in the calculations.

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Field utilisation during practice sessions will depend on the number of age groups and sex of players being accommodated in each sport. It cannot be simply stated that forty four participants would comprise four teams of eleven players and therefore two fields be required. Similarly if home game fixtures are allocated it may be that all games can be played on “small sided” fields but conversely full sized pitches may be required for adult players. It is very difficult to generalise but it appears to be acceptable to parent bodies that two full sized fields are required for home fixtures in each of the sports, the rationale being that one field would be used for matches and the other for practice and warm up. 5.2.2. Layout of Sports Fields and other Facilities The design layout for Area 7A can not yet be finalised because location of the access road has not been confirmed by SCRC road engineers. However the current concept plan is presented in figure 1, which is based on the assumption that road access will come from Porter’s Lane, as indicated in the Approved Precinct Plan (22 Nov 2007).

Figure 1. Concept layout of sporting facilities to be accommodated on Area 7A of the Maleny Community Precinct. Area 7 is the Maleny Community Golf Course. It is felt that the positioning of the four playing fields and the athletics track is ideal, due to the level topography that will require minimal earthworks. Considerable flexibility could be permitted when positioning the bowls, swimming and parking

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areas. There are however four trees that will not be removed and which will need to be considered when determining the final layout. Ideally the clubhouse should be central to all facilities including golf and parking, and arranged so that buses and emergency vehicles can access the swimming and hydrotherapy pools. Ambulance access at this stage would be across the golf course where the gradient would not be a hindrance and where good grass cover and drainage would provide a solid base for vehicle access. Walking paths would follow the Obi Obi Creek line and a final design for these would be agreed once environmental and safety requirements have been addressed. Informal discussions have been initiated with a view to cooperating with the Maleny Primary School in the creation of a “school drop-off and bus park” that could in addition assist with Precinct sports field parking. Access to the Precinct could be provided via a pedestrian bridge, thereby giving school children direct access to the sports fields, athletics track and aquatic centre. 5.2.3. Field construction Following agreement from Council’s Maleny Precinct Community Working Group, the MDSRC hosted a number of visits onto the Precinct. This was to broaden participants’ understanding of Area 7A and to allow contributions from suitably qualified experts to the design work necessary for this area. The following engineering constraints were considered:-

• Earthmoving and ground levels for sporting fields • Obi Obi Creek flood levels • Access Roads (awaiting SCRC outcome) • Positioning of clubhouse

Qualified engineers and other professionals who visited the site included:

• Graham Sayer, Sayer Construction • Bernie Porter, Range Earthmoving • Sel Hopley, Mines Surveyor • Rod Richards, Civil Engineer • John Kenny, Hinterland Surveys • Keith Shortus, Engineer and Project Manager • Ben Tilley, Superintendent Headlands Golf Course • Ron Waldron, Sports Specialist and retired School Principal • Richard Jones, architect experienced with sporting facilities

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Reports from the above experts, together with details of qualifications and experience are given in Appendix 1. To-scale drawings of playing fields, prepared by Rod Richards and Richard Jones, can be provided to Council. Summary of professional opinions:

• Soil types easily manageable • Cut and fill easily facilitated • Ground remarkably level • Regrass with existing kikuyu

5.3 Environmental Considerations Following the Maleny Precinct Advisory Group’s agreement to allow limited access to individuals with specialist knowledge, on-site discussions took place with a number of environmental experts to assess the impact of managing the playing fields on water quality and water flow; and how best to revegetate the area of land between the playing fields and the creek. The following environmental experts were consulted:

• Dr David Hockings AM, native plant specialist • Dr Geoff Behncken, retired scientist • Dr John Wightman, Barung Landcare • John Muir, Barung Landcare • Professor Barry Brady, engineering consultant • Spencer Shaw, Maleny Brush Turkey • Clayton Stokoe, Barung Landcare • Ben Tilley, golf course superintendent

The proposed location of the four playing fields is bordered on the south, west and (part) north by the Obi Obi Creek. Any impact from the construction and operation of the playing fields on the riparian zone needs careful consideration. The other proposed sporting facilities (bowls greens, aquatic centre, joint Club House) are not located near any areas of environmental concern and are not considered further in this part of the submission. The area proposed for the four playing fields is a natural flood plain - though advice from Stephen Porter (about 50 years local experience) is that flood waters only ever cover the western tip, just beyond field 4 (see figure 1). This pattern is consistent with Council’s 100 year flood line map (though the latter is clearly not a reliable guide as, in some stretches of the Obi Obi Creek, both 100 year flood lines appear on the same side of the creek). There is no native vegetation along this stretch of the Obi Obi Creek next to the proposed playing fields, only kikuyu pasture, thistles and other herbaceous weeds, especially along the creek bank. The situation is more complex further downstream where native vegetation exists - mainly plantings within the past 10 years. That area will be dealt with by the Golf Club in its submission.

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Levelling of the site for playing fields should require minimal earthworks and, with reasonable weather, the new surfaces should be covered with new kikuyu pastures within four weeks. In general, the distances between the playing fields and the creek exceed 40m. It is envisaged that the ground between the playing fields and the creek would slope gently to the natural creek bank. This area would be suitable for a grass-covered walking tracks and open space. For much of the time, the playing fields themselves would be also available for other social activities since organised sports would only be conducted for a few hours per day on most days. Given the intention of using deep rooted kikuyu pastures on alluvial soil, it was agreed amongst the consultants that agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilisers) would rarely, if ever, be necessary. Nor should there ever be a need for irrigation given the high rainfall experienced in Maleny. Currently, the creek bank itself is covered with herbaceous weeds. The main topic of discussion with the environmental consultants centred around what species of plants would provide the optimal mix for the riparian zone (strictly speaking a creek bank, often less than 10m) recognising the social (sport and walking) and environmental uses of this stretch of the creek. Factors included: flood mitigation concerns, shade impacts (favourable and otherwise on the playing fields and the creek) and habitat creation. It was agreed that a mixture of native trees and low shrubs could be planted and that preparing suitable lists should be a straightforward task. The actual restoration would be a bigger job and require a team of dedicated volunteers. The MDSRC’s environmental consultants are available to assist in preparing or commenting on Council’s Environmental Plan, as and when it is prepared by Council for the Maleny Precinct.

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6. Accommodating MDSRC Affiliated Clubs on the Maleny Precinct During the planning process MDSRC has striven to accommodate the requirements of all its affiliated members who wish to be located on the Maleny Precinct. In particular, the Maleny Swimming Club expressed the desire to be included with other sporting groups in Area 7A, rather than on Area 6 as originally intended. This has been incorporated in our current concept plan (see figure 1). Further, we have worked co-operatively with the Maleny Bowls Club, the Maleny Swimming Club, the Maleny Golf Club and with the field sports to ensure that the combined club house will be as convenient as possible to each club and cater for their varied needs. To achieve the best utilisation of available land for all groups, we have realigned the boundary between Areas 7 and 7A to link the golf course to the club house. The revised map is presented in figure 2. This map also shows the part of Area 6 that has been re-allocated to Area 4 for environmental purposes.

Figure 2. Approved Maleny Community Precinct Plan with revised boundaries between Area 7 and Area 7A, and transfer of part of Area 6 to Area 4.

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The needs of affiliated clubs are now considered individually.

1. Maleny Bowls Club – membership 90 – The club’s existing facilities at 8 Bunya Street consist of a single green and an old clubhouse. The proposal from the Bowls Club would be to sell the facilities, relocate to the Precinct and from the proceeds construct two new greens (thereby enabling it to host Sunshine Coast tournaments) and contribute surplus funds to the construction of the centralised clubhouse. A strategic development plan has been commissioned utilising the CPR Group.

2. Maleny Golf Club – membership 430 - This club’s submission has

been forwarded separately.

The MDSRC has determined its requirements for land and accommodated the sporting requirements of all users. There are however certain areas that because of topography are not suitable for playing fields but which would be ideal in complementing the flow of the golf course and for framing areas which the golf course planners intend using for ecological purposes. These areas have been reallocated to Area 7.

MDSRC and MGC intend using the central clubhouse and MGC plan to connect the course with this point. Joint maintenance areas which are not visually desirable have been provisionally located at the site of the old Armstrong dairy.

3. Maleny Junior Rugby – membership 100 - Junior Rugby is currently

played at Witta. This club’s ability to host carnivals and home games is limited as it is a requirement of Rugby Queensland that two fields should be available simultaneously. The location at Witta some ten kilometres west of Maleny means it is not ideal for junior sports, necessitating private transport for participants to Witta.

It is the intention of Junior Rugby to increase its membership and include more senior teams. The fields at the Precinct and at Witta are designed to complement each other for the betterment of this sport.

4. Maleny Rangers Soccer Club – membership 230 – This club has

traditionally shared facilities at the Maleny Showgrounds with cricket and equestrian. In addition it has always been acknowledged that showground activities such as the Agricultural Show and the Wood Expo would take precedence over soccer when determining venue priorities. Obviously this is very disruptive and can take up to six weeks out of the soccer calendar as there has to be showground preparation before the event and a clear up period afterwards. Soccer has been played as a winter sport but there is now demand to play in the summer league and at the same time to include adult teams.

As one of the fastest growing sports in the country there is a need to review field availability to accommodate this expansion. The proposal therefore would be for soccer to withdraw from the Showgrounds thereby allowing

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equestrian sports to do the capital developments they require and to allow cricket exclusivity of the existing ovals.

A business plan has been commissioned utilising the CPR Group.

5. Maleny Swimming Club – membership 105 – The initial draft proposals included swimming as being a user of Area 6 (Community facilities). Following a request from swimming and following the principal of consolidating sport, this discipline has now been included in Area 7A. The 5,000m2 area allocated will include:-

• A ten lane 25m pool (provision to expand to 50m) • A “learn to swim” pool 12m – 15m x 6m wide • A hydrotherapy pool • Gym (35m x 15m)

A business plan has been commissioned utilising the CPR Group

6. Maleny/Witta Touch Football – membership 430 – This is a fitness

sport played by all ages. Traditionally the fields at Witta Sports Club have been used and the sport has been limited to summer months. During periods of heavy rain the fields become waterlogged and consequently unusable.

The demand is for this sport to be played all year round and the number of participants requires a minimum of four fields (50m x 70m).

The field mix provided by the Precinct will facilitate the needs of this sport as well as providing a venue for weekend carnivals which cannot presently be hosted.

7. Maleny Little Athletics – membership fluctuates up to 90 – These

athletes presently utilise the Maleny High School grounds but there is insufficient space available to accommodate field events.

Their requirements would be:-

• 6 x 8 lane 400m double bend track • 8 lane 100m straight • Long jump pit with 2 x 40m runways • Throwing circle for shotput, discus and javelin • Storage for high jump mats, hurdles, throwing and training

equipment

A business plan is currently being negotiated with CPR Group.

8. Maleny Contract Bridge Club – membership 85 – This club presently utilises space under the Maleny RSL Building. The Club is financially viable but because of the unsuitability of its current premises desires to relocate. Currently 40% of its membership exceed 70 years of age.

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Accommodation for the Bridge Club could be either in the proposed clubhouse or the Community area (Area 6).

9. Maleny Combined Churches Youth Group – membership 30 –

This group requires a meeting area as well as access to sports fields and could be accommodated at the clubhouse or preferably in the Community Facilities area (Area 6).

10. Maleny Singers – membership 34, and Maleny Players –

membership 60 – These groups have storage and drama workshop-rehearsal facilities at the Showgrounds. A performance venue is currently available at the Maleny Community Centre and ideally this hall could be developed into a purpose built theatre because of its proximity to restaurant and coffee house facilities in the town. There are however other activities (such as Morning Markets) which utilise this hall which might be better accommodated in the Community area (Area 6).

There is undoubtedly a need for a dedicated arts building and this need should be reviewed in conjunction with the existing Community Centre, the proposed Arts Centre in Bicentenary Drive and a possible arts development in the Community Facilities area of the Precinct (Area 6).

11. Historical Society – membership 31 – This group requires a meeting

venue which could be accommodated either in the combined clubhouse, Pattemore House or the Community Facilities area (Area 6).

12. Blackall Range Horseless Carriage Association – membership

80 – An active membership which requires a meeting venue with ample parking to facilitate a large number of vehicles at their jamborees. Will be accommodated at the clubhouse or Community Facilities area (Area 6).

13. Montville Table Tennis Club – membership 21 – These players

have a limited number of areas available to accommodate their tables and can easily be accommodated in the clubhouse or the Community Facilities area (Area 6).

14. Maleny Chamber of Commerce - membership 44 – The Chamber

has joined and supports the activities of the MDSRC as they have realised the enormous stimulus to the Maleny economy if sport can arrange home games and sporting carnivals that up until now have been restricted because of the lack of playing fields.

15. Equestrian - As previously stated this sport is best suited to be based at

the Showground but an access track is required to enable mounted riders to have easier access to the Showground from North Maleny without having to manoeuvre their horses through the Maleny traffic. The requirements for this access trail have been given to Area 1B for consideration.

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7. Business Plan On 24 November 2008 CPR Consultancy Group applied to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for a grant of $4000, to conduct a strategic development plan for the MDSRC. Work on the plan will proceed subject to:-

• The grant application being successful

• SCRC approving the land requested by MDSRC for the development of sport and recreation on the Maleny Precinct

As indicated above there are a number of other sporting bodies that have received grants to develop their own business plans but who have not been able to proceed as the clubs are uncertain as to exactly which area SCRC will allocate to each sport. The preference in all cases is for the layout presented in this submission. The CPR Group is helping co-ordinate preparation of these business plans. 8. Conclusion The establishment by the SCRC of the Maleny Precinct Community Working Group on 1 September 2008 has been viewed by interested parties as a very positive move. Even more important, however, are the very progressive developments that have emerged from press releases, discussions and actions of the groups involved. This publicity has focused the expectations of many residents who now firmly believe that the Precinct is a reality and that the recent four years of animosity and disappointment are over. MDSRC is experiencing renewed levels of interest from both old and new parties. The availability of professional support from people with vast experience relative to this type of development is overwhelming, as are the offers of material support such as earth moving equipment, and seedlings. It is important that planners realise that although Maleny is part of the Sunshine Coast and operates in close proximity to the larger towns, it is still a small country village with real personalities, passions and visions. The residents have been saying for years that there is a need for additional facilities, both sporting and social, and there is a need to provide suitable facilities for the youth of Maleny and surrounding districts. Maleny people acknowledge the need to have a blend of facilities, hence the acceptance of the Maleny Community Precinct Plan. The current level of support is consistent with the findings of the Council-sponsored Tract consultancy in 2003. The development stage of the Precinct should no longer be looked at as a win for some groups and a loss to others. It has to be a blend of fresh ideas, the development of better concepts and the implementation of strategies that can be improved or modified over time. All parties can and must be accommodated and in their entirety because there is enough land available and there are a myriad of solutions available to achieve satisfaction. Progress made by the Maleny Precinct Community Working Group has proceeded well within the allotted time scale, but the bulk of the work has been done by

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individuals or groups who are specifically focused on their allotted areas. Certainly this level of support will continue into the future from this group of people. The involvement of Councillor McKay, Lesleigh Elmes and Community Engagement Officer Steve Gould has been paramount particularly in as far as obtaining information from Council, ensuring deadlines are met and keeping the group focused. If this momentum is to be maintained, bearing in mind SCRC management already have a workload beyond the Precinct, then we believe that the services of a Project Manager will be essential. The Project Manager should hold a senior position within Council and his/her role would be to progress all aspects of the development. We further believe that as the Maleny Precinct has been given a high profile within the SCRC, the Project Manager should be responsible for liaising between Councillors and coordinating the interaction between SCRC management, consultants and Cr McKay’s Working Group. In our opinion some additional areas need urgent attention, namely:-

• Business plans are already being prepared by MDSRC and some of its larger affiliated club members. One would assume that it would be the intention of SCRC to develop a business plan for the Maleny Community Precinct as a whole.

• The Approved Plan relies on sale of residential land in Areas 5A and 5B to support development of the Precinct. Alternative options should be explored which aim to reduce the number of lots but maximise revenue. This will have a bearing on the level of SCRC financial involvement in the project and the consequent level of grants that individual lessees would have to raise for capital projects.

• Seek approvals from Energex for development or use of their “power line easement”. Further, fundamental issues such as water, sewage, effluent disposal, access roads and parking need to be resolved.

• Options for lease structures ensuring maximum flexibility. We understand it is the intention of SCRC to issue leases once the fundamentals for each area have been agreed.

The above is the submission on behalf of MDSRC and we thank you for your consideration.

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9. APPENDIX Consultants’ Reports on Sporting Facilities

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Report by Keith Shortus. See next page for CV.

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