Stonnington is advocating for measures to support healthy lifestyles, through organised sport and social activities.
Our vision
Stonnington Tomorrow is our Council Plan for 2025 to 2029. It outlines our vision of being a place where people lead active and healthy lifestyles. Our programs, spaces and facilities will support sport and active recreation for all ages and abilities.
Being active may involve walking the dog, visiting the gym, or riding to work. It helps us feel good, connect with one another and build a sense of community.
Our community is diverse and growing, and more people live closer together. Participation habits are also changing, with people after flexible, social activities. Demand for organised sport is strong, with more than 20 per cent of Stonnington residents participating (approx. 26,100 players). There are more than 50 organised sports clubs and 1600 official volunteers.
The need for partnership
Population growth and change creating new challenges, including:
- pressure on services and infrastructure
- greater reliance on shared public spaces
- and demand for a wider range of activities.
Stonnington has the second-lowest open space per capita of Victorian councils. Council owns facilities that support sport and active recreation, but we need partnerships to unlock more. We also need funding to uplift our facilities to meet Fair Access standards.
Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy
This advocacy priority aligns with the following recommendations in Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy 2025-2055:
- Recommendation 17 – Help government schools share their grounds
Policy asks
Fair Access uplift funding
Greater funding streams will support councils and clubs to achieve Fair Access uplift.
In line with State Government aims to support fair access, we ask for:
- capital infrastructure investment, training and support for club leaders and volunteers
- grants to support underserved communities accessing sport and recreation.
Open schools and other public and Crown Land
In line with the State Government's 30-year Infrastructure Strategy, we ask for:
- maximised open space access for the community
- active and passive recreation on unused or underused sites.
Increased data sharing and collaboration
We ask for increased data sharing and collaboration between councils, Sports and Recreation Victoria, and State Sporting Associations. This will support regionalised approaches to infrastructure development and provision.
Key projects
Council has a number of projects ready for delivery if we secure funding from external partners.
| Project |
Funding |
About the project |
| East Malvern Tennis Club |
$10 million |
Transform the infrastructure and pavilion of the East Malvern Tennis Club to better serve our community. Focus on enhancing accessibility and safety for women and girls. |
| Floodlighting |
Sir Zelman Cowan Reserve and TH King Oval: $500,000
Menzies Reserve: $600,000
|
Install floodlights at these venues to support women and girls' safety and participation:
- Sir Zelman Cowen Reserve (Birrell and Wadsworth)
- Menzies Reserve
- TH King Oval
|
| Orrong Romanis Precinct |
$200,000 |
Masterplan the site including the reserve, the recreation centre and Hickey pavilion. This will help determine the best way to invest in grass sports and basketball and netball participation. |
| Pavilion investment |
$10 million per pavilion |
Develop non-accessible infrastructure to support high-growth sports at:
- Central Park Pavilion – Central Park, East Malvern
- Bert Healy Pavilion – Waverley Park, East Malvern
- Menzies Pavilion – Sir Robert Menzies Reserve, Malvern
- Hickey Pavilion – Orrong Romanis Reserve, Prahran
- Pollack Pavilion – Sir Zelman Cowen Park, Kooyong
Upgraded and safe facilities are linked to higher recruitment and retention of female players, officials and volunteers.
We need action to welcome women, girls and gender-diverse people who may be underrepresented and disadvantaged.
|
More information
For more information, please visit our Advocacy page.