Ararat Rural City Council has endorsed a crucial plan that aims to take positive action towards achieving gender equity in the access and usage of the municipality's sporting facilities.
Council's Fair Access Policy and Fair Access Plan 2025-2029 seeks to address know barriers that are experienced by women and girls within the municipality, in accessing and using community sports infrastructure and recreation reserve facilities.
The Policy and the Plan are designed to:
• Build capacity and capabilities of Ararat Rural City Council in the identification and elimination of systemic causes of gender inequality in policy, programs, communications and delivery of services in relation to community sport and recreation.
• Ensure an effective place-based response for the gender-equitable use and access of community sports infrastructure (both new and existing).
• Promote gender equality in policies, programs, communications and services as they relate to community sports infrastructure (starting with the completion of Gender Impact Assessments).
The Fair Access Plan 2025-2029 provides practical steps to implement the Fair Access Policy, outlining specific actions to advance gender equitable access and use of our community sports infrastructure. These actions directly support the principles of Council's Fair Access Policy and aligns with the Fair Access Principles established by the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation.
Feedback on the Fair Access Plan 2025-2029 is open via Engage Ararat. A final draft of the Fair Access Plan 2025-2029 will be presented at the June 2025 Council Meeting.
"Council is firmly committed to ensuring fair and equitable access to our sports facilities and recreation reserves for all women and girls in our community," says Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong.
"This initiative not only directly benefits our community but also strengthens our ability to secure the crucial funding needed for the long-term sustainability of our municipality's sports infrastructure."
