Conference Archives - Otium Planning

New National Guidelines for inclusive outdoor sporting facilities

Otium Director Jason Leslie was proud to launch Volume 2 of the National Guidelines for Accessibility in Australian Sports Venues at the 2026 National Sports & Physical Activity Convention last week.

Developed in collaboration with the Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD), the Disability Sports Community Facilities Guidelines – Volume 2: Outdoor provide practical direction for planning, designing, upgrading and operating outdoor sport and recreation facilities — helping ensure all Australians, including people living with disability, can participate.

📄 Access the guidelines here: Otium Resources

Together, these guidelines support a lasting legacy of greater participation, inclusion and accessibility in community sport for all Australians.

ARI NSW 2026 Conference

Conference, News

Ageing aquatic facilities don’t have to be liabilities — they can become high-value, investable community assets.

That was the message from Otium Associate Brad Billett at the Aquatic & Recreation Institute (ARI) NSW 2026 Conference last week, where Brad’s session on the Future of Pools explored how councils can reposition their facilities through strong strategy, evidence-based planning, and sustainable operating models.

The conversation around what makes a project truly “fundable” was particularly rich — coming down to strategic clarity, the right partnerships, co-location opportunities, and a credible demonstration of long-term operational sustainability.

A valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion about the future of aquatic infrastructure across NSW — and one we hope to continue.

Thanks to ARI NSW for a great event.

Recreation Aotearoa Green Pavlova 2026

Conference, News, Recreation Aotearoa

What a week in Aotearoa! 🌿

Otium Managing Director Kate Maddock travelled to New Zealand to join Otium NZ Director Jason Merrett at Green Pavlova 2026 — New Zealand’s premier conference for parks, play, and open spaces.

A huge congratulations to Recreation Aotearoa | Te Whai Oranga on an outstanding event centred on the theme He Taiao, He Tāngata, He Oranga | Our Places, Our People, Our Future.

Highlights for the Otium team:

✅ Presenting a session on Cost vs Impact featuring a real case study on how early, smart decision-making turns cost pressures into better design, partnerships, and outcomes.

✅ Kate participating along with PLA President Kristin Davies, Mark Bowater from Sport New Zealand, Geoff Canham from Thrive Spaces and Places and Sarah Murray from Recreation Aotearoa, on an international panel exploring the future of accessible, high-quality public space.

✅ Plenty of great conversations — old connections rekindled and new ones made.

Events like this remind us why the work we do in parks and public spaces matters so much. 💚

Recreation Aotearoa Leaders’ Summit

Conference, Recreation Aotearoa

Congratulations to Recreation Aotearoa | Te Whai Oranga on hosting the inaugural Recreation Leaders’ Summit in Christchurch last week!

We were very pleased to be involved as sponsor of the Recreation Awards Dinner and congratulate all the award winners and finalists. It was a fantastic event and a fitting way to celebrate with our industry colleagues.

Our biggest takeaway from the conference was how lucky we are to have so many amazing people who care deeply about the spaces and experiences that strengthen our communities.

PLA National Award Winner!

Conference, Parks and Leisure Australia

We are thrilled to announce that the business case for the Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre and Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health has won the 2025 Parks and Leisure Australia National Award for Excellence in Strategic and Master Planning!

This achievement reflects our collaborative work with Tamworth Regional Council to plan a visionary, inclusive, and multi-use community facility that will deliver long-term benefits for Tamworth and the wider region.

The project will create a regionally significant destination for sport, recreation, health, and leisure—driving health, social, and economic outcomes for the community. Through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, innovation, and a robust business case, the project has successfully secured funding from all three levels of government.

Congratulations to everyone involved, especially our partners at Tamworth Regional Council for their leadership and dedication. We are proud to have played a part in this journey and look forward to seeing the lasting, positive impact!

Otium receives 2025 Parks and Leisure NSW/ACT Award

Conference, Parks and Leisure Australia

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!