DSR Annual Report 2010/2011 Highlights

Highlights from the annual report for period of 2010/2011

Community participation

• Community Participation Funding – Forty-four grants totalling approximately $175,000 were allocated to 23 metropolitan and 21 regional projects, 90 per cent of which were primarily focused on increasing participation of low participation groups. Forty-five per cent targeted Indigenous and 23 per cent culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) populations.
• Katanning Inclusion Project – The Shire of Katanning employed a project officer to coordinate strategies to increase participation of CaLD and Indigenous youth in sport and recreation. In the first year the target group’s use of existing sport and recreation facilities and programs has increased significantly.
• Northern Metropolitan Inclusion Projects – A $240,000 allocation to the region enabled the City of Stirling and Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) to continue to successfully engage CaLD and Indigenous community groups through sport and active recreation. Their aim is to create links between young people, the community and mainstream sport and recreation clubs, and to coordinate after-school and school holiday programs. In 2011, the ERC was also funded to coordinate a sport and active recreation pilot in the City of Wanneroo. The project uses multi-sport sessions and pathway programs to engage with the community, identifying gaps in sport and recreation services and creating linkages between agencies.
• South East Corridor Youth Sport and Recreation Project – Delivered through Communicare in collaboration with local government, this project was created to address low participation rates of CaLD children in the cities of Armadale, Belmont, Canning and Gosnells, and the Town of Victoria Park. An allocation of $134,000 was made to this initiative in 2010/11 ($34,000 from the Departm ent for Communities). As a result, 114 new CaLD children and youth have been linked with clubs with a 70 per cent retention rate from the previous year; 14 youth ambassadors have been appointed; and clubs are engaging in cultural awareness training.
• ActiveSmart – This world-first physical activity participation program uses tailored information, resources and personal contact to motivate and encourage households to participate in physical activity. The project is being delivered in the City of Greater Geraldton targeting up to 10,000 households, of which 4,000 are expected to actively participate (see ActiveSmart hits the ground running).
• Indigenous Sport Program, Western Desert – A partnership with Newcrest Mining in the Western Desert is achieving better than expected outcomes in improving participation levels, lifestyles and community capacities of the local Martu people. Major achievements to date include coordination, management and delivery of regular inter-community sports carnivals as part of the Western Desert League, in which eight communities participate (see Trip makes its mark on desert footballers, page 24).
• Northbridge Youth Diversion and Engagement Project – Our department is working with organisations to run activities in targeted local government areas in order to divert Indigenous youth from the Northbridge area on Friday and Saturday nights. These activities have seen a considerable decrease in Indigenous youth detained in the Northbridge precinct (see How sport is keeping kids out of Northbridge, page 57).

Sports business development

• People development – In 2010 our department commissioned a major workforce survey of WA state sporting associations and as a result increased its people development initiatives. There have been more governance scholarships and coaching programs (e.g. introduction of Board Pulse programs to WA sport and Certificate IV course delivered in Bunbury); a series of half-day workshops specific to organisations’ needs (e.g. strategic and workforce planning); and further support for coach and official development programs. The Outdoor Recreation Skills and Qualifications Mapping Project has been completed and DSR has provided pathways and opportunities for Aboriginal outdoor recreation instructors.

• Increasing capacity – After six years of working with state sporting organisations through the Organisational Sustainability Program our department has provided increased funding against good planning in one grant agreement rather than multiple grants. This allows organisations to take better control of their core business of developing sport across WA rather than being reactive to grant programs. Seventy-five per cent of Profile 2 and above organisations had advanced planning and systems to the level of receiving three-year funding agreements.

• Club Development Officer (CDO) Program – This program has expanded to cover 34 staff across 43 local governments across WA. The Gascoyne now has a program of support and network of CDOs to support the region’s community sport programs.

• Environmental Ethics Pilot Program – Facilitated by our department with six state sporting associations, the purpose of this program is to raise environmental awareness in the industry and develop innovative practices that positively impact the environment. Each of the project members has undertaken an environmental audit/impact study on an aspect of their operations to determine a baseline and plan for action. For example, the WA Football Commission has established a ‘Green Team’ of tenants at Patersons Stadium to monitor and improve environmental, economic and social outcomes.

• Talent development – Our department has worked closely with sports for six years to support the development of better state-wide talent development plans. The objective has been to educate state sporting associations on the best ways to develop talent and have a state-wide plan that is seen as part of the key strategic direction of the sport. All six sports involved now have full and appropriate talent development plans embedded within their systems and no longer require our direct support.

Recreation

• Recreation Strategic Framework – Development of a strategic framework for the recreation industry working closely with peak recreation bodies. As a result, a strategic leadership group – the Recreation Custodians – has formed to identify key areas to work on and request various working groups to develop scenarios and options for solutions. The Custodians will make decisions on these options and use their influence to enact or advocate for change. The Custodians include representatives from: Parks and Leisure Australia; WA Sports Federation; Fitness Australia; Tracks and Trails WA; DSR; Outdoors WA; and LIWA Aquatics.

• Ocean Paddling Safety Framework – A safety campaign aimed at paddlers and kayakers of all levels. Following recent serious incidents involving ocean paddling and a rapid increase in its popularity as a recreation and event-based activity, it was identified that there was no clear framework providing guidance, advice, tools, standards or direction to the industry. Surf Life Saving WA and Canoeing WA have been funded to deliver a safety program aimed at entry-level paddlers, while providing further advice to experienced paddlers (see Department pushes for safer paddling practices, page 11).

• Access Legislation Review – This is a review of challenges to access created by current legislation and land ownership, recommending improvements based on worldwide research. While outdoor recreation advocates have indicated there is an increasing array of management and policy barriers restricting recreation access to land in WA, the nature and extent of the issues have not been captured. Three stages of research – gathering anecdotal evidence; a review of historical data; and a hypothetical scenario – will determine whether significant problems exist regarding access to land for the establishment of walking trails, and whether there is a need to formally address these problems. The research is being coordinated through the Centre for Sport and Recreation Research.

• Trail Reference Group – This group provides strategic direction for the trails industry with representation from state government agencies, not for profits and services delivery organisations.

• Western Australian Trails Strategy – A strategic plan providing a collective strategic direction for the trails sector. In 2010 the Trails Reference Group reviewed the strategy and reduced and repositioned the key strategy areas. These are intended to be developed into specific implementation initiatives in 2011/12.

• Lotterywest Trails Funding – Trails Grants are offered by our department in partnership with Lotterywest. Forty-six projects worth $883,654 were approved by the Lotterywest board in 2010. Our department’s recreation team and regional managers collaborated to target specific communities in remote areas.

  Some examples of recommended Trails Grants projects in 2010 included:

  • $70,000 for a levee bank trail in the Gascoyne.

  • $55,000 for stages 4 and 5 of the Kwinana Loop trail.

  • $50,000 for a Trails Master Plan for Derby.

• The WA State Trails Conference – This annual conference for trails planners, providers, users and maintainers attracted more than 100 delegates from all regions of WA in 2011. Presentations covered topics including Aboriginal heritage; local government; physical activity; tourism and sustainability.

• Leave No Trace WA State-wide Strategy – Leave No Trace Australia was allocated $23,000 from the Sports Wagering Account to develop this state-wide strategy. The strategy will raise awareness of issues resulting from human activity in the natural environment; develop strategies that encourage its sustainable use; and provide a range of actions to reduce this impact.

Regional services

• Our department worked to assist regional communities experiencing dry season hardship through the provision of sport and recreation opportunities (see Wheatbelt women have a smashing day, page 13). These activities couldn’t stop the dry season but they provided some much-needed relief and self-esteem and helped people in affected areas to remain healthy and connected to other community members. They included:
  • A busload of men from Wickepin, Hyden and surrounding areas visited Perth to watch a 20Twenty cricket match against Sri Lanka. Overnight accommodation was provided a DSR camp.
  • A busload of women from the Wheatbelt enjoyed breakfast at Tennis West followed by a day at the Hopman Cup. Overnight accommodation was provided at a DSR camp.
  • A clash between Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron MLA’s Minister’s XI and Brendon Grylls’ Member’s XI cricket match at Bruce Rock oval in March 2011. Team members included Western Warriors players, local sporting identities and community members. The community enjoyed the match, plus free food, fun and cricket clinics.
  • DSR collaborating with the Rural Business Development Corporation and Department of Agriculture and Food for the ‘I Swam in a Drought’ project, which offered free entry into swimming pools in drought-affected areas.
  • Great Southern Coaches Club – This is a partnership between DSR and sports to deliver a full coaches’ development program for the region. The aim is to build and strengthen the capacity of the region’s organisations and coaches.
  • South West Ballistics Sports Complex Study – Our South West office coordinated an independent study looking at future opportunities for a multi-code shooting complex in the region.
  • Week 8 program – A team of development officers and role models made three visits to the Murchison region to deliver school clinics and after-school activities. More than 300 children participated during each trip. A highlight was the development of the Mt Magnet Sports Committee. Comprised of representatives from the shire and community, the committee has increased organised sport in the area with structured football, cricket, netball, soccer and basketball programs now available. The Week 8 program provided training and support for the committee and program deliverers.
  • Indigenous Girls Surfing Program – Two sessions per week over eight weeks were run by local instructor Jaimee Wheatley, who was once on the World Women’s circuit. Girls aged 8–18 participated, and strong attendance figures resulted in a second lot of sessions being run. Funding was provided by DSR and the Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation. The program culminated in a trip to the 2011 Margret River Classic for 16 of the girls. Several of the girls became members of their local board riders and surf life saving clubs as a result. Lessons are planned for the summer following requests from other teenage girls wanting to be involved.
  • AquaGasc – An initiative of our department, this program provides aquatic training and development for the Gascoyne region. In 2010 more than 25 people based in the Gascoyne/North West were trained in an aquatic qualification. Two Carnarvon based aquatic personnel achieved qualification to deliver presenter training for the Bronze Medallion and Austswim and agreed to take on the coordination of AquaGasc 2012.
  • Roebourne Lights On Project – Our department worked to remove cost barriers associated with night time activities by having the lights turned on each evening in Roebourne. Activities are run each night, coordinated by non-profit organisations, volunteers and young people from the community.
  • Double Dip program – An aquatic beach and park-based recreation program that is increasing physical activity amongst Peel seniors (over 50 years of age). The program has attracted both males and females many of whom were previously reluctant to participate in pool-based aerobic-style programs. There was a 63 per cent increase in registrations for the 2011 program (107 registrations compared to 67 in 2010). The program’s target of 300–500 attendances over the summer months in 2010/11 has been well surpassed with 429 attendances in December 2010 alone. January 2011 saw 532 attendances and February an average of 60–70 participants each session.
  • Peel Sports Review – Our department commissioned a review into sport within the Peel region focusing on six sports: AFL, cricket, swimming, tennis, netball and soccer. The review was completed in June 2011. A discussion paper has been developed to progress the review’s independent recommendations.
  • Reconnecting Culture Through Recreation – A joint venture between our department’s Peel and South West offices and the Department of Child Protection, this leadership program engages young Aboriginal people in recreational activities that reconnect them with the environment and encourage respect for the Country in which they recreate on. It also works towards breaking down barriers to young Aboriginal peoples’ participation in sport and recreation and promotes healthy lifestyles. Fifteen Aboriginal students were involved in the program.
  • Wongutha Birni Healthy Lifestyles Program – Twenty Aboriginal ladies have created and participated in an ongoing physical activity and weight loss program that incorporates healthy living education. The Goldfields Aboriginal Sports Development Officer (ASDO) assisted with the start-up of the program, which is now run independently by the participants.
  • Be Active Stay Active Coolgardie – Having received Community Participation Funding, the initial program focused on increasing the participation of Coolgardie’s Aboriginal youth in physical activity. The program has resulted in creation of a fulltime Youth Sport and Recreation position in Coolgardie for 2011/12.
  • Facilities and Asset Management Workshop – Presented to more than 15 sports in the Esperance district, this workshop educated participants on the principles of asset management and planning to ensure the sustainability of sport and recreation facilities.
  • Warmun – Our Kimberley office coordinated local youth and sport and recreation service providers to host activities for the relocated community of Warmun. The community was forced to relocate to Kununurra due to devastating floods in March 2011 (see The power of partnerships and sport, page 4).
  • East Kimberley Junior Sports Association – Created to assist with the provision of sporting activities not already provided for the youth of Kununurra.

Facilities

• Perth Oval Stage 1 Redevelopment – This $95.14 million Perth rectangular stadium redevelopment will include a new permanent east stand, a level of corporate facilities, new sports lighting, pitch redevelopment and large video screens enhancing spectator viewing. The redevelopment is planned for completion before the first Western Force Super Rugby home game of the 2013 season. The Stage 1 redevelopment will increase the capacity of the stadium to over 20,000 people (see Announcing stage one of new rectangular stadium, page 33).

• WA Rugby Centre – This $17 million facility was completed in June 2011 and provides administration facilities for Rugby WA and the Western Force, as well as some indoor training facilities including gymnasium space and change rooms. This completes the trio of state-level facilities in the Mt Claremont Sports Precinct, following completion of the WA Athletics Stadium and WA Basketball Centre in 2009 and 2010 respectively (see New home for WA rugby, page 15).
• State Netball Centre – The design of this facility commenced in January 2011 with schematic design now completed. The centre incorporates four indoor courts, change facilities and office space for Netball WA. It will provide Netball WA with administrative, community and state-level competition and training headquarters.

• Wanneroo Raceway – Design concepts were redeveloped to support an in-field pit lane at Barbagallo Raceway. Planning approval required an extended period of time. Funding was provided to the WA Sporting Car Club to enable the club to commence work as soon as possible. The facility will be in place for the 2012 V8 Supercars race round.
• Challenge upgrade – Our department is working with VenuesWest to review the future development potential of Challenge Stadium. The focus is to investigate the provision of swimming facilities to support major events and return this premier venue to a standard capable of hosting national and international aquatic events.
• Public Open Space – In conjunction with the Curtin Centre for Sport and Recreation Research, our department has undertaken significant public open space research. The first phase investigated the impact of current planning policy on the provision of open space. Subsequent phases have sought to determine the capacity of existing and planned active open space to meet demand as population within the metropolitan area continues to grow. It is anticipated the research will inform a review of key planning policies and strategies being undertaken by the Department of Planning.
• WA Institute of Sport High Performance Service Centre – Our department is in the process of reviewing the business case for the WAIS High Performance Service Centre following an allocation of $2 million for preliminary planning purposes. It is anticipated this process will be completed by mid to late October 2011. A project definition plan will then be completed.
• CSRFF – Under the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF), $17.62 million in grants was allocated to 126 projects state-wide (see ‘Building better facilities and communities’, from page 58, for a list of successful projects).
• Local government – We work closely with local governments on facility planning and asset management issues, providing professional advice.
• Aquatic Strategic Facilities Plan – In conjunction with a range of aquatic sports our department advanced the strategic plan for these sports. This plan will help to inform state and local government facility planning and investment.
• Committee contributions – As a member of various state government committees, our department’s staff contribute to improvements in planning policy, guidelines and practices within government.
• Synthetic surfaces – There is significant interest in the use of synthetic sports fields due to a lack of water. Our department instigated a review into multi-purpose synthetic surfaces and commenced the development of a synthetics decision making guide, which will be completed towards the end of 2011.

Policy

• Workplace Health – Training workshops were delivered across regional WA (Albany, Esperance and Kalgoorlie) in partnership with local governments and the WA Country Health Service. Workplace networking sessions in Perth facilitated conversations and knowledge-sharing between workplace health coordinators implementing health and wellbeing programs (see Happy employees work and work out! , page 31).
• Research Agenda – Our department continued to support the planning and development of a research agenda for sport and recreation in partnership with Curtin University of Technology through the Centre for Sport and Recreation Research.
• Climate change – Presentations were conducted state-wide and significant work was undertaken with local governments and community groups in regards to adaptive scenario planning for climate change.
• SD5 – The fifth iteration document, Strategic Directions for the Western Australian Sport and Recreation Industry (2011–2015) was launched. The Strategic Directions series is industry owned and developed to provide vision and direction for WA’s sport and recreation industry; increase stakeholder understanding of emerging issues; guide the industry’s strategic planning process; and better inform government of stakeholder aspirations (see Sport charts course for next five years, page 23).
• Public drinking water source areas response – We partnered with the departments of Water, Health and Environment and Conservation, and the Water Corporation to prepare a joint government response to recommendations of the Standing Committee on Public Administration’s Report 11 – Recreation Activities within Public Drinking Water Source Areas. Cabinet endorsed this response in May 2011.
• State Public Parkland Strategy – Initiated by our department, development of this strategy has been a collaborative process, bringing together key stakeholders to develop integrated responses to the complexity of public open space issues. Public open space research has also continued in conjunction with the Curtin Centre of Sport and Recreation Research.
• Sports betting – Our department provided significant input, including provision of policy analysis and advice to the sports industry and the national initiative (coordinated by the Commonwealth Government) dealing with sports betting.
• Nyoongar partnership – Our department has forged a significant partnership with the Nyoongar community in developing and presenting to the government and corporate sector a detailed business case for diverting Nyoongar youth away from the justice system.
• State Crime Prevention Strategy – Our department has had high-level input into this strategy, including representation on initiatives surrounding juvenile justice and youth at risk. Examples include funding of the Northbridge Youth Diversion and Engagement Project ($140,000 for 2010/11); development and implementation of CaLD initiatives in the south east metropolitan area; and advice and funding ($20,000) to the Carnarvon PCYC for youth activities (see How sport is keeping kids out of Northbridge, page 57 and Pride of the community, page 48).
• Sport 4 All – Developed by our department and supported by the government for implementation in 2011/12, this project will benefit tens of thousands of young people across WA who are unable to engage in organised sport and recreation. It also includes a substantial investment in the clubs and organisations that deliver grass roots sport and recreation.
• Policy contributions – WA provided a significant contribution to the development of the first National Policy Framework for Sport and Active Recreation and the National Institute System Intergovernmental Agreement for High Performance Sport.
• ANZAC Day Rotto event – We hosted a major event in partnership with Nature Play WA taking 740 children and parents to Rottnest Island for the ANZAC Day celebration. This was the first major event for Nature Play WA, a movement dedicated to reconnecting children with nature and helping families to make unstructured outdoor play a normal part of every child’s life, every day (see Nature Play ANZAC Day, right).
• Mental health partnership – Our department established a significant partnership project with the Mental Health Commission as part of ActiveSmart in Geraldton to raise awareness of mental illness in the community and engage groups of people with a mental illness in local physical activity.

Recreation camps

Our department operates four recreation camps situated in the Perth metropolitan area at Bickley (Orange Grove), Ern Halliday (Hillarys), Point Walter (Bicton) and Woodman Point (Munster), and also leases the Camp Quaranup property in Albany.

Camps services performed strongly throughout 2010/11 with peak period (October–March) trading finishing later due to accommodation and activities in school sector bookings prevailing until late May. The yearend outcome for the camps business was: 82,329 bed nights (76,239 in 2009/10) and 129,316 participations (108,529 in 2009/10).

Although this extraordinary output in 2010/11 provided some challenges to program resourcing it also established a platform for our camps to achieve budget expectations across their combined operations, together with consistently strong performances in client satisfaction documented in our Annual Client Survey.

Camps clients were aggregated as schools (68.5%), not for profits (28.6%), retail groups (1.9%) and internal bookings (1%). This result is in accordance with the previous financial year and demonstrates that the price reform determinations of both 2010 and 2011 continue to service a similar clientele mix balanced with achieving a sustainable business outcome. This was derived through:

• Growth in the schools sector with 35 additional bookings for the year.
• Sustained bookings performance in the price sensitive not for profit sector.
• Marginal growth in internal bookings, e.g. holiday programs have increased.
• Consistency in bookings from the corporate sector.

Schools continue to be the primary focus, heightened by growth in the student demographic. Our camps have serviced this demand through the provision of improved resources for educators and a determination to maximise the utilisation of the camps. For example, Point Walter Camp achieved its strongest accommodation occupancy result, occupied by clients 340 nights of the year.
While the metropolitan camps core outputs are linked directly to accommodation and physical activity objectives, the training and development of instructors, student leaders and work-placements is becoming an increasingly important focus requiring adequate resourcing to support future growth.

Our camps were recognised for this multifaceted contribution to outdoor program delivery at the inaugural Outdoor Recreation Industry Awards in September 2011, winning Best Program Service Provider in Government 2010 (see Happy campers: DSR camps win industry award, page 19).

Other achievements for 2010/11 were:

• Water Corporation agreed to Bickley Camp’s continued operation at the site for a further 20 years.
• A master plan review of the Bickley Camp was completed in conjunction with Building Management and Works (BMW) to identify improvements required for the 65-year-old camp to continue its community service for a further 20 years and inform future business planning.
• Building on the education cornerstones of reading, writing and arithmetic the 4th R – Recreation resource was posted on the DSR website in May 2011. Originating from the school curriculum mapping project this document assists educators and camp instructional staff to interpret the value of the camp experience and ensure it remains accessible to all school-age students.
• Program staff participated in a Therapeutic Crisis Care workshop run by the Department for Child Protection (DCP) for instructors involved in program delivery for DCP-led youth camps. DSR Camps acknowledges the high quality of pastoral care training that is afforded to instructional staff through the DCP Training area.
• A grounds master plan was developed for Woodman Point Camp to inform decision making on environmental landscaping and development of sustainable program precincts.
• Ongoing training relationships with Notre Dame University (industry trainees), Edith Cowan University (student placements and out of classroom lectures) and the University of Western Australia (student leader and instructor development) continue to support skills development and assessment in the outdoor community.
• Nineteen work experience students from secondary and tertiary institutions completed practicum at Ern Halliday Camp with many entering the sport and recreation industry as a result of their positive experiences.
• Two traineeships (one full-time and one school-based) were successfully completed, with trainees gaining Outdoor Recreation Certificates and progression into the DSR workforce (full-time equivalent and casual instructors). Two further traineeships were appointed.
• Point Walter Camp hosted a diversity of groups including: The Perth 2011 Sailing Championships; Gumala Mirnuwarni Education Project; Geraldton Grammar; Short Statured People of Australia; Role Models and Leaders Australia; Handicamp; PMH Diabetes; Geraldton Regional Cricket; Children’s International Summer Villages; Future Footprints; and Variety Australia.

Over 193,000 physical activity hours of organised adventure recreation programs were delivered across land, roping and water environs. Notably, Ern Halliday Camp alone contributed 49,309 participations equating to 73, 963 hours of physical activity.

• Specialist programs run at Point Walter Camp for: Harmony Primary School; Prendiville Catholic College; Perth Montessori School; Guildford Grammar; Future Footprints; Kalparrin Centre; Gymnastics WA; and Women’s Health Services. Modified recreation programs were run through Ern Halliday Camp to service client groups with special needs including: Ellenbrook SHS; the Cerebral Palsy Association; and Lesmurdie SHS.
• The Over 35s Neighbouring-Networking project completed its 10th year of paddling activities based from the Ern Halliday Camp. Staff from our department contribute volunteer leader hours to assist with servicing this community program.
• Ern Halliday’s Spinnaker dormitory roof upgrade was completed.
• Development of a paddling and roping leaders group to inform a specialist activity knowledge base for camps safety and training while optimising our interface with the development of industry standards.
• Development of an internal qualifications matrix to assist program staff with managing the diverse requirements for maintaining necessary service competency and qualifications. This was designed in-house and is linked to the agency instructor payroll system.
• The DSR staff conference was hosted at the Woodman Point Camp in March 2011.
• In accordance with Treasury policy, the camps implemented an annual fee review structure which became effective on 1 January 2011.

We would like to acknowledge two individuals whose combined contributions amount to more than 60 years experience in our recreation camps – Ken Burton (retired March 2011) and Robyn Appleton (vale November 2010). Their legacy is integral to the current success of our camps.

Physical Activity Taskforce

The Physical Activity Taskforce (PATF) was established in 2001 to oversee the development and implementation of a whole of community physical activity strategy for WA.

The Taskforce, under the Chairmanship of Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hon Terry Waldron, now has a strong mandate to coordinate physical activity policy and strategy across government and the community.

The Department of Health Executive Director, Dr Tarun Weeramanthri, is the Deputy Chair, with member agencies including the departments of Health, Education, Sport and Recreation, Planning, and Transport. The Taskforce also has representation from local government, the non-government sector and academia.

In addition to being a member of the Taskforce, the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) also hosts the Taskforce Secretariat and provides an annual allocation of funding to support its operations. The Secretariat supports the goals of the Taskforce and provides executive, administrative and implementation support.

In 2010/11 the Taskforce had confirmed a recurrent budget as well as a three year commitment of funding from the departments of Transport, Health, and Planning. The Department of Education also contributed funding.

During the year Taskforce meetings were hosted by the Department of Transport, WA Local Government Association and Department of Health. Key issues and challenges that impact on physical activity within these respective portfolios and strategies for action were discussed.

A number of advisory committees provide strategic direction and advice to the Taskforce. These advisory committees convene in the same cycle as Taskforce meetings and include the: Built Environment Advisory Committee; Communications Advisory Committee; Evaluation and Monitoring Advisory Committee; and Walk WA.

Phase One of the Healthy Active by Design Project is nearing completion. This is a key project of the Taskforce’s Built Environment Strategy, and builds on the resource Healthy Spaces and Places and other similar resources developed in Victoria and Tasmania. This project will develop a specific Western Australian tool to provide best practice planning and design principles to guide the development of physically active communities. It is being developed within a WA planning policy context and considers characteristics and demographics unique to WA. The departments of Sport and Recreation, Transport, and Planning are members of the project management group.

In 2010/11, a sub group of the Built Environment Advisory Committee was formed to look at the planning and design of school sites. The group’s first major project has commenced and is focusing on the issue of shared use of facilities.

The Taskforce Strategic Directions project, to develop a new five-year strategy, is almost complete with key findings of the WA Diagnosis of Physical Activity presented in June 2011. The aim of the diagnosis was to analyse progress to date and identify current status with respect to policies, services, delivery models and interventions in WA aimed at providing opportunities for and increasing participation in physical activity. It has also identified gaps, limitations and opportunities that have the potential to impact on organisational and systemic change to support increased levels of physical activity in WA.

A Strategic Framework for Physical Activity in WA has also been drafted and is undergoing a final consultation process before its release in December 2011.

The Local Government Active Advisory Panel (LGAAP) was again convened throughout the year. Consisting of local government and state government representatives LGAAP is coordinated by the PATF, DSR and WALGA. The aim of LGAAP is to provide input and advice on issues relating to physical activity, sport and recreation in a local government context. In 2010, LGAAP had a strong focus on issues relating to the built environment. At the end of 2011, the LGAAP structure was reviewed and a revised local government strategy is now being developed by the Taskforce. However, LGAAP will still be convened from time to time to seek input into relevant issues.

Other key achievements of the Taskforce in 2010/11 include:

• Release of the 2009 Survey of Physical Activity Levels of Western Australian Adults survey which showed that 40 per cent of WA adults are not active enough for good health (see WA adults more active but heavier, page 21).

• Launch of the Choose Active Transport Teachers Resource – Combining the various active transport curriculum support materials into one centralised resource that provides quality active transport materials and encourages teachers to integrate walking and cycling lessons throughout the school year. Development of the resource was led by the Taskforce in partnership with the departments of Health, Education, Transport, and Sport and Recreation, and the National Heart Foundation. This project is an example of strong cross government and non-government collaboration.

• Linkedin2Youth – A forum for state sporting associations, community clubs and local government on how to engage with youth in the promotion of physical activity, sport and recreation was conducted by the Taskforce in partnership with the WA Sports Federation.

• The new be active wa website, www.beactive.wa.gov.au, was launched in June 2011. The website is designed as an industry specific resources portal for key stakeholders.

• In April 2011 the Taskforce partnered with the Department of Transport to host an Active Transport seminar. Presented by Michael Haynes, Director of TransActive Solutions, a company dedicated to improving the walkability and cyclability of Canadian communities, the seminar was attended by over 50 stakeholders from state and local government.

• In June 2011, 13 Members of Parliament (MPs) joined PATF Chair and Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon Terry Waldron, UWA academic and Taskforce member, Professor Fiona Bull, and visiting American academic, Dr Jim Sallis, for a parliamentary briefing. The purpose was to inform MPs of the work of the Taskforce, physical activity levels in WA and work being doing in the built environment. Dr Sallis provided an overview on how the built environment impacts physical activity, and examples of how other countries impact physical activity levels through the built form.

• The Taskforce conducted a Community Infrastructure Planning Seminar for the local government sector in December 2010. The purpose was to discuss development of Community Infrastructure Plans and how to apply State Planning Policy 3.6 Development Contributions for Infrastructure. The seminar attracted 70 attendees and was followed by a panel discussion with representatives from the Department of Planning, WALGA, a local government and the consultant involved in a review of the policy.

• DSR Annual Report 2010/2011