The MidCoast Aquatics Strategy has now been formally adopted, following endorsement at the 29 April 2026 Council meeting. Its adoption completes the full suite of planning documents, action plans and strategies that fall under the overarching Open Space and Recreation Strategy 2023-2035.
This milestone marks the final piece of the award‑winning MidCoast parks and recreation strategic planning portfolio, which received the 2024 Parks and Leisure Australia (NSW/ACT) Award of Excellence.
Before this program, MidCoast Council had limited strategic planning for parks and recreation. In recent years, this has been strengthened through the development of a coordinated and comprehensive planning framework.
"This is a huge achievement by our hardworking staff, who have delivered an extensive and forward‑thinking planning framework for our region," said Liam Bulley, Executive Manager Public Spaces.
The Open Space and Recreation Strategy sets the direction for how outdoor spaces across the MidCoast will be planned, maintained and delivered through to 2035. It is supported by a series of targeted strategies and action plans, including:
- MidCoast Playspace Strategy
- MidCoast Skatepark Strategy
- MidCoast Outdoor Sports Court Strategy
- MidCoast Sports Lighting Plan
- MidCoast Recreational Boating Infrastructure Plan
- MidCoast Public Toilets in Parks Strategy
- MidCoast Walking, Cycling and Trail-based Activity Strategy
- MidCoast Aquatics Strategy
The MidCoast Aquatics Strategy is the final document to be adopted as a part of the Open Space and Recreation Strategy's planning portfolio.
Each strategy was shaped through extensive community engagement over the past four years.
"We first began engaging with the community in May 2022 about the Open Space and Recreation Strategy," said Mr Bulley.
"Since then, we have done several rounds of community engagement and placed all the strategies and plans on public exhibition for feedback.
"We had over 2,900 engagement interactions across the 10 strategies. This included over 650 face-to-face conversations, 1600 online surveys and feedback tools, 450 public submissions and 200 phone calls.
"We want to thank the community for taking the time to have their say on these important strategies and helping to shape the future of parks and recreation in the MidCoast region."
