We’re proud to announce that Otium Planning Group, in partnership with Tamworth Regional Council, has received the State Strategic and Master Planning Award at the 2025 Parks and Leisure NSW/ACT Awards of Excellence!

This award recognises the bespoke and innovative strategic planning approach for the Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre, which incorporates the Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health. This regionally significant destination is designed to deliver long-term health, social, wellbeing, and economic benefits to the Tamworth community and the broader region.

The project’s success reflects a collaborative effort grounded in local insight, continuous engagement, and a shared vision for the future.

And yes — we were thrilled to receive this recognition… as you can probably tell from this photo!

Thank you to Parks and Leisure Australia VIC/TAS for delivering a thought-provoking 2025 Region Conference this week.

Key takeaways from Otium team members Bruce Mackay and Josie MacCartney included:

• Parks and leisure centres are critical public health and economic infrastructure that should be embedded in Council Plans.
• Leisure Contracts can help drive equity for Councils when aligned with measurable targets for staff diversity, inclusion of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and programs for women.
• Strong local partnerships—with MPs, schools, community leaders, and health organisations—are essential to delivering responsive, inclusive infrastructure.
• Councils play a vital role in ensuring developers deliver what communities actually need.
• Emerging evidence indicates that targeted investment in Community Sports Infrastructure in areas of higher disadvantage can lead to greater participation benefits.
• Multicultural community leaders should be supported and recognised for sharing Council information in-language and online.

Congratulations also to Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre on receiving Community Facility of the Year at the PLA Awards of Excellence. We’re proud to have supported Darebin City Council throughout this impactful project through all stages from the initial feasibility to business case development, and as part of the design team.

Our team members, Brad Billett and Tony Butler (PLA Queensland President) had a fantastic time connecting with industry colleagues at the Parks and Leisure Australia NSW/ACT and QLD Region Conference last week!

The conference showcased innovation within our industry, and our key takeaways include:

• Evidence-based planning remains essential for optimising community and health benefits.
• The increasing use of technology to assist with the planning and operation of our public places.
• How we reimagine existing spaces for different uses and stay flexible to adapt to changing trends.

We’re excited to continue the conversations. If you didn’t get a chance to catch us, our inbox is open. Let’s talk strategy, planning, funding opportunities, or your upcoming projects.