DSR Annual Report 2007/2008
2007/2008 reports and financial statements, including the year's highlights, Director General's report, corporate overview, grants approved.
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Sport and recreation is much more than just a game.
Our industry plays an important role in delivering many of the outcomes that government and the community desires. These outcomes include healthier citizens, safer and more trusting communities, and bettereducated children.
Indeed, our mission statement reflects this: ‘to enhance the quality of life of West Australians through their participation and achievement in sport and recreation".
In turn we are judged on three services, which combined, work to achieve increased participation and thus the desired enhancements in the quality of life.
These services are:
- Infrastructure and organisational development
- People development in sport and recreation
- Recreation camps management
This year we have made significant achievements in all three services.
Year highlights include:
1. Infrastructure and Organisational Development
- The State Sporting Facilities Plan Framework and associated projects were reviewed from the initial framework of 2001. This continues to be used as a basis for the prioritisation of capital infrastructure bids.
- Applications to the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) comprised of $27,742,885 worth of requests. Funds of $10.5 million were allocated to local governments and sport and recreation organisations.
- An analysis of the CSRFF over the past six years was undertaken. This, coupled with information gathered for the State Infrastructure Strategy, is being used to ascertain the ability of the government to adequately contribute to projects such as aquatic centres and regional sporting complexes.
- Replacement equipment for the Whiteman Park Shooting Complex has been installed and planning commissioned for all ballistic disciplines. Work on the State Equestrian Centre at Ellenbrook has commenced and will be complete in 2008/09. The State Gymnastics Centre opened in the 2007/08 financial year. Planning and design work for the State Tennis Centre will commence, pending the outcome of planning deliberations for the Burswood Peninsula.
- The recommendations of the Major Stadia Taskforce have been considered and the government committed to constructing a 60,000-seat, multipurpose stadium (with associated works) at Kitchener Park, Subiaco, at a cost of $1.1 billion.
- Construction of the State Basketball Centre and the State Athletics Centre at AK Reserve, Mt Claremont, commenced in January 2008. Expected completion dates are April 2009 for athletics, and October 2009 for basketball.
- Funds of $11.8 million from the Sports Lotteries Account and approximately $2.64 million from the Sports Wagering Account were allocated to support community sport and recreation organisations and the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), in developing their organisational capacity and delivery of initiatives aimed at key result areas of the industry's strategic directions document SD4 2006-10. The Sport and Recreation Community Grants Scheme was used to fund 90 projects delivering physical activity initiatives in the community.
- A State-wide club development strategy was formulated, with support provided through 17 funded Club Development Officers, multi-formatted resources, education and training courses and an evaluation program.
- The Combat Sports Working Group report was completed in August 2007. The report includes recommendations relative to regulation and rules, risk management practices and industry training. The Professional Combat Sports Act 1987 legislation amendments have been approved by Cabinet and will be drafted and introduced to Parliament during 2008/2009.
- The development of the Indigenous Sport and Recreation Plan for the selected communities of the Wunan and Kullarri areas in the Kimberley and the Western Desert area in the Pilbara and Goldfields was completed. The plan considers future needs for programs and facilities.
- A review of the Barbagallo Motor Complex has also been initiated, for completion in 2008.
- A range of initiatives to further the Active Ageing Strategy have been developed with the Department for Communities in partnership with several agencies. Some of these, such as ‘Sportsfun Across the Generations' and ‘Heartmoves', have been implemented. The proposals will build on findings from research undertaken in previous years. An industry-based framework for the assessment of the potential impacts of Climate Change on sport and recreation was developed and disseminated to industry stakeholders.
- The priority action in the State Water Plan which focuses on the use and value of water in the areas of public open space was scoped.
- The new Physical Activity Taskforce Strategic Plan 2007-2011 was submitted to Cabinet and the firstyear implementation plan involving 26 agencies was developed. The Walk WA 2020 strategy continues to be implemented with the involvement of over 95 Local Governments. Inclusivity and Local Activity Grants were awarded in partnership with Lotterywest, Healthway and the WA Local Government Association (WALGA).
2. People Development
- A wide range of participation initiatives were developed and implemented. These targeted lowparticipation groups, including seniors, women, people with disabilities, people from Indigenous communities, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) backgrounds and young people.
- A range of activities for Indigenous people were implemented across the State through the Indigenous Sports Program.
- A range of sport and recreation development programs and projects were implemented through The Rio Tinto Volunteer Management Scheme. The Scheme concluded in 2007/08, with all objectives being met.
- Analysis of the Sport and Recreation Community Grants Scheme in relation to the State Government’s Five-Year Policy Framework for Substantive Equality has been completed, with many recommendations from the report being implemented and more to be addressed in the process for the next round of grants, if funding is allocated.
- A three-year CaLD participation project was initiated in partnership with the City of Stirling and the Office of Multicultual Interests.
- Under the Emerging Leaders Program – now in its second year – 16 people (10 in 2007 and six in 2008) each received a self-directed scholarship to improve their leadership and managerial capacity. Another 33 (16 in 2007 and 17 in 2008) participated in a workshop series to develop their industry knowledge.
- The Department, in partnership with Outdoors WA, developed a series of Adventure Activity Standards (AAS). Draft standards have been published for abseiling, canyoning, challenge ropes course and rock climbing and artificial climbing.
- The review of the State’s High Performance Sport Plan, Future Success commenced.
- The Department’s Gifted Athlete Program (GAP) delivered 10 workshops to nine regions, with approximately 120 athletes and 60 parents involved.
- An external review of the Department’s role in coach education and training and an internal review of officiating is complete.
- The 2007 Sport and Recreation Industry Awards were conducted in conjunction with the “Active 07” Sport and Recreation Industry Conference.
3. Recreation Camps Management
- Capital works improvements were completed at all camps. This was reflected in the official opening of the Adventure Training Centre at the Woodman Point Recreation Camp, and official re-opening of the Ern Halliday Recreation Camp.
- The forecast participations for 2007/08 of 87,000 participations in camp-based programs across the Department’s camps was surpassed, with 102,802 participations.
- The forecast accommodation bednights for 2007/08 of 55,000 bednights across the Department’s camps was achieved. The achieved results was 71,610 bednights.
- A workforce planning study was undertaken at Point Walter campsite.
- A holiday program calendar for the camps network was implemented, resulting in four holiday camps being conducted. A holiday calendar was developed for 2008/09.
- The new camps booking system design development was completed. The system is being built and is due for completion in late 2008.
- Preliminary scoping of a service delivery review of the camps network products to maximise accessibility options for all clients has been undertaken and consultations have begun with identified focus groups.
- An independent review was undertaken of the Recreation Camps business by Stanton Partners in relation to the National Competition Policy and the applicability of competitive neutrality principles. This information will help guide future costing and pricing policy.
- Maintenance of the Tone River Wilderness camp continued on a minimal basis while the property went to tender and a suitable operator was selected. The disposal process is expected to be complete in 2008/09.
- Developed and implemented an electronic payroll data capture system that provided improved salary reporting and processing of casual instructors.
- A strategic asset maintenance plan commenced.
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