Have your say on the Draft Fair Access Policy

Published on 02 August 2024

A policy that aims to give women and girls fairer access to Pyrenees Shire’s community sports infrastructure is open for public comment.

Pyrenees CEO Jim Nolan said the policy and an associated action plan, prioritise Council’s leadership in gender equality in sports and leisure service delivery and infrastructure development.

This could include upgrading female changerooms at the local clubrooms or helping increase the number of women on club committees.

Mr Nolan said the the Fair Access Policy is a key step in Council’s ongoing efforts to evaluate and improve Council policies, ensuring they effectively address the needs and concerns of all community members.

“Aside from physical infrastructure, the policy also aims to continue to positively shift cultural and social barriers to women participating in sport in our shire,” he said.

“The policy formally starts the process to address known barriers experienced by women and girls in accessing and using Council’s community sport and leisure infrastructure, and will help our local sports environments be more welcoming, safe and inclusive spaces.”

The policy is a response to the State Government’s Gender Equality Act 2020, which requires Victorian councils to take positive action towards workplace gender equality as well as in their policies, programs and services, including those relating to sport.

To read the policy and have your say, head to engage.pyrenees.vic.gov.au/draft-fair-access-policy-survey before August 17. You can download a copy of the draft Policy and Action Plan from the Document Library located on this webpage or request a copy from Council’s Community Development team.

If you would like to discuss the project further, please contact Council on 1300 797 363.