The Department of Sport and Recreation recently contracted a consultant to research the issues surrounding extreme/challenge activities in Western Australia.
Governments worldwide do not fully understand what comprises challenge
activities, or the issues surrounding facilitation for these emerging activities.
By their nature, extreme activities are dynamic, innovative
and not constrained by any particular set of parameters. Challenge
activities are more about pushing physical boundaries, entertainment,
flair and self expression with a backdrop of music, fashion and urban
culture.
Often events are injected with a true festival flavour, with live bands,
DJs, and MC talent integrated into the sporting area and supporting
creative flair, with graffiti art demonstrations and the like.
Challenge activities often have environmental, educational, health and physical activity aspects.
The activities present issues surrounding governance,
representation, risk management, funding, commercialisation, social and
economic impact, land access, accreditation, registration and codes of
conduct.
This in turn presents challenges for government entities to progress
a policy agenda for sport and recreation inclusive of challenge
activity. A research agenda will help clarify the scope and
issues surrounding activities to assist in determining
recommendations for the progression of policy and ongoing support.
Geordie Thompson
Manager Recreation Services
Department of Sport and Recreation
246 Vincent Street, LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
PO Box 329, LEEDERVILLE WA 6903
Telephone (08) 9492 9718
Facsimile (08) 9492 9711
Email Geordie
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Following an incident in the State's north several years ago, the Western Australian Government established a task force to analyse the issues surrounding visitor safety in adventurous outdoor activity.
In November 2006, the department established a Recreation Advisory Panel as an initiative arising from the analysis of the recreation sector and consequent Strategic Reform Agenda.
To assist Western Australian workplaces to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees, the Department of Sport and Recreation, in partnership with the Premier's Physical Activity Taskforce, has commenced the Healthy Active Workplaces Initiative.
Recently there has been an increase in popularity of recreational trail bike riders and a decrease in legal recreational riding areas due to land acquisitions and environmental issues.
Park and Leisure Australia, LIWA Aquatics, Outdoors WA, Fitness Australia and Trails WA are the current representative bodies for the recreation industry.
Visit the department's recreation camps website.
These codes are the first of their kind in Western
Australia and as such remain to be refined as part the
development of an industry best practice model.
The Recreation Unit has an ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with regional personnel to progress and support long-term recreation and non-competitive physical activity outside the metropolitan area.
In 2005 the department committed resources to undertake an analysis of its services and programs for the recreation sector. An extensive consultation process was undertaken with key individuals and stakeholders from across recreation, local government, fitness, outdoor recreation and camps interest areas.
Trails connect people with places and provide a wonderful way to discover Western Australia’s unique landscapes and explore our heritage. You can hike in our national parks and see spectacular wildflowers, paddle downstream through the tranquil forests or head off on an exhilarating mountain bike adventure.
Walking is a great way to be active, it’s a low impact exercise on the body, inexpensive to do and most enjoyable.
Latest news and information for recreation.
