Background

The provision of recreation infrastructure has been a long standing community issue for the Surf Coast Shire and the Aireys Inlet Community.  Due to the local topography and significant environmental values of the area there is a lack of suitable and available land. 

Initial investigation of the site on the corner of Gilbert Street and Boundary Road was undertaken by Earthtech Pty Ltd has identified that there are likely to be issues around the suitability of the site for the development of an active recreation reserve. The issues relate primarily to the size of the site and its capacity to adequately cater for active sport, and the potential cost of development given the topography of the site.  The Department of Sustainability and Environment has also conducted flora and fauna assessments of the site that indicate there are likely to be significant native vegetation issues within the site. 

This project will formalise these issues and make recommendations on the feasibility of proceeding with development of facilities on this site, in the context of broader recreation needs of the Aireys Inlet community and the Surf Coast Shire.  

Project Purpose

The purpose of this project is to:

• Identify the recreation infrastructure needs of the Aireys Inlet community
• Explore the viability of a specific site (Cnr. Gilbert Street & Boundary Road Aireys Inlet) to meet identified needs
• Develop a recreation Infrastructure Master Plan for this site if appropriate
• Develop an Aireys Inlet Recreation Infrastructure Strategy

The Aireys Inlet Recreation Infrastructure Strategy will involve an integrated planning process to achieve a comprehensive local precinct plan. This plan will involve both site specific planning for the site on the corner of Gilbert Street and Boundary Road (the land has recently been gazetted as public open space for recreation purposes by the Department of Sustainability and Environment) and, develop strategies for identifying and addressing the recreation infrastructure needs of the Aireys Inlet community.

Project Aims and Objectives

The key project objectives are: 

• To undertake a comprehensive analysis of the recreation infrastructure needs of the Aireys Inlet community

 (Depending on the findings of this analysis use a triple bottom line approach to determine the feasibility of developing the site on the corner of Gilbert Street and Boundary Road as an active recreation facility).  

• To determine if the site has the capacity to meet current and future community needs for active recreation infrastructure
• To identify what type of facilities and infrastructure can be accommodated on the site of the cnr Gilbert Street and Boundary Road that meets the community recreation infrastructure needs
• If development of the site is feasible, to prepare a full-implementation and development plan (master plan) including costings, design drawings, funding sources and timelines.