Are you looking to promote the safe use of local skate parks? The Y has developed a new public health protocol and communications plan that is delivered online and in a face to face campaign through the Skate Park leagues (SPL) program.

The SPL is a national grassroots competition series that offers young people who skateboard, BMX and scooter, a chance to showcase their skills whilst promoting positive use of council skate parks and skate park culture.

Is your Council interested in hosting an SPL program in the 2020-2021 financial year? The Y can support your planning through the NSW / ACT Skate Park League pre-booking process.

The Y has developed a new flexible program agreement that allows us to organise programs now without locking hosting partners (councils) into a specific date that may be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Our online network series is a chance for anyone working in the parks, leisure and recreation industry to come together to discuss things that are impacting your everyday work day and future work plans.

PLA NSW/ACT STRATEGIC PLAN WORKING GROUPS

Call for Expressions of Interest

The NSW/ACT Regional Council is seeking expressions of interest from PLA Members to join one of three working groups identified in the PLA NSW/ACT Strategic Plan 2019-2021.

Three working groups have been approved to research and develop outputs in the following areas:

• Membership - Develop a Membership Value Proposition
• Professional Development - Develop a Professional Development Program
• Partnerships - Develop a Strategic Partnership Engagement Strategy

PLA NSW/ACT held a seminar and tour 'Meeting the Demands of Tomorrow - How to Improve Your Sports Field's Carrying Capacity', on Thursday 22 August at the newly refurbished Gore Hill Park . The day included presentations and talks on natural and synthetic turf, testing and classifying of surfaces and how to increase turf grass durability. The Future Needs Panel discussion included representatives from AFL NSW, Football NSW, Cricket NSW and Centennial Park which ignited great discussion around issues and shared learnings. Finishing the day, Holly Cowdery from Willoughby City Council and Matthew Tancred from Glascott Landscape and Civil discussed and toured the new Gore Hill synthetic oval and park precinct.

We've all heard that living close-by to green space can improve your physical and mental well being. But what sort of greenspace is best? A recent study by Thomas Astell-Burt, PhD; Xiaoqi Feng, PhD may have the answer. The study of 46,786 adults older than 45 years, found that exposure to 30% or more tree canopy compared with 0% to 9% tree canopy was associated with 31% lower odds of incident psychological distress, whereas exposure to 30% or more grass was associated with 71% higher odds of prevalent psychological distress.

PLA NSW/ACT recently held at seminar and tour on Bike Riding : Tracks and Trails hosted by Hornsby Shire Council. The day included a presentation on the upcoming Mountain Bike Strategy from the Department of Primary Industry and Environment, Design, construction and the sport was discussed by Mountain Bikes Australia, Darren Stewart from Makin' Tracks spoke about the importance of maintenance and Hornsby Shire Council provided a case study presentation on activation and management of facilities. The attendees were fortunate to be able to view a Hornsby Mountain bike track and also the fabulous facilities and club running of the Castle Hill BMX club.

Presentations included: (click on the hyperlinks for presentations) NSW Mountain Biking Strategy - Update on the current Mountain Bike Strategy Evan Steverson Senior Project Officer, Department of Primary Industry and Environment Track and Trail Maintenance Darren Stewart Director, Makin-Trax Sport - MTB -Design, Construct, Competitions and the sport Denise Cox - Chief Operating Officer & Company Secretary, MTB Australia Case Study - Hornsby Shire Council - Activation and management of facilities, working with Council / other land owners Anthony Newling - Natural Resources Operations Manager Bushland Operations Coordinator Hornsby Shire Council Site Visit 1 - Hornsby Mountain Bike Track Site Visit 2 - Castle Hill BMX & The Hills Shire Council

PLA NSW/ACT want to hear from you!

Due to recent changes, the PLA NSW/ACT Regional Council currently has a vacancy. The Regional Council meets bi-monthly to discuss and develop the NSW/ACT Regions plans. We invited interested parties to submit an expression of interest providing a brief overview of skills relating to the key responsibilities listed below.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Elect a National Director to sit as representative for the region on the National Board for a 3 year term.

2. Elect Regional Office Bearers as per constitution

3. To develop and maintain a range of regional services which meet National Board performance levels whilst servicing the regional membership. This is delivered through: Regional Information services; Regional training and professional development opportunities; Networking opportunities; Recognition of Excellence; Regional representation and advocacy; and Membership liaison and retention.

4. To link the membership through a hierarchy of integrated products and services which range from Chapter to Region to National to International level.

5. To administer the Regional Council Finances within the guidelines established through the National Office on Finance.

6. To maintain regular personal contact with the regional membership in order to ensure the range of services provided meet the professional needs of the members.

7. To establish regional representation on committees, boards, advisory panels and the like, in order to raise the status of Parks and Leisure Australia, whilst improving professional opportunities for both members and the overall industry.

8. Ongoing liaison with the Regional Executive Officers/National Office:

• to maintain up-to-date information on National Board initiatives

• to maintain changes in regional membership records.

• inform of intended seminars & events to be held so information can be put onto website

• inform of changes in Regional Council office bearers

• inform/answer new member enquiries

Denise Ora has been formally appointed as the new Executive Director of NSW's iconic Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands (BGCP).

Denise will be leading a remarkable team responsible for over 1,100 hectares of Sydney's prime public parklands and botanic gardens and is the first woman to be appointed as Executive Director to the Royal Botanic Gardens in its 204 year history.

NSW/ACT Award Winners Announced

The 2019 NSW/ACT Award Winners were announced on Thursday 23 May at the National Arboretum Canberra.