Lake Macquarie Sports Strategy

Lake Macquarie Sports Strategy

Lake Macquarie Sports Strategy

Client

Lake Macquarie City Council (NSW)

Project Purpose

To provide a strategic framework and action plan to support sports participation, liveability, health, and wellbeing.

Extensive consultation was conducted to inform the Sports Strategy. This included surveys, workshops and interviews with the community members, facility management committees, sport clubs, state and regional sports organisations, schools, Council officers and elected councillors, Members of Parliament, neighbouring Councils and other identified key stakeholders.

Otium’s Role

  • Community and stakeholder engagement.
  • Developing strategic frameworks and action plans.
  • Implementation guidance, including financial planning and infrastructure strategies.

Project Outcomes

  • Clear strategic directions and actions.
  • Planning framework with design standards.
  • Facility categorisation and improvement opportunities.

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • Engaging diverse stakeholders effectively.
  • Balancing differing community needs.
  • Securing financial resources from various funding sources.

Community Benefits

  • Improved sports facilities for active lifestyles and wellbeing.
  • Clear roadmap for facility planning and management.
  • Inclusive engagement for all community voices.
Inverell Aquatic Centre Business Case

Inverell Aquatic Centre Business Case

Inverell Aquatic Centre Business Case

Client

Inverell Shire Council (NSW)

Project Purpose

Otium has worked with Inverell Shire Council in regional NSW across various stages for the redevelopment of the Inverell Aquatic Centre – from initial feasibility through to operations. A critical piece of the project delivery was the preparation of a business case in accordance with NSW Treasury Guidelines.

Otium’s Role

  • Feasibility investigations and options analysis.
  • Extensive community and stakeholder engagement.
  • Concept plan development in conjunction with partner architects.
  • Asset condition assessments in conjunction with partner engineers.
  • Financial, operational and visitation modelling.
  • Preparation of a business case to assist our client with their application for State and Federal funding opportunities.

Project Outcomes

  • The business case for this aquatic facility helped secure $6,755,000 across two NSW Government Grant Programs.
  • Innovative aquatic design to meet the specific needs of the Inverell community including a moveable boom to separate the 50m pool, allowing the indoor 25m portion to remain operational by closing the retractable glazed door during winter months.

Project Challenges/Key Learnings

  • The Aquatic Centre was more than 60 years old and nearing the end of its operational life.
  • A significant increase in operating costs since 2015, including repairs, maintenance, and energy.
  • Regular user groups needs were not being met.
  • The facilities were not fit for purpose to encourage broader community use.

Community Benefits

  • The funding secured helped the delivery of the redevelopment that occurred in 2023 and 2024.
  • The business case projected the following benefits: Increased visitation from 35,000 visits to over 100,000.
    • Health benefits of $2.185 million over 10 years
    • An estimated increase in regional income generated by the project of $15.962 million.
    • An average 14.9 FTE jobs per year.
    Hyland Road Sports Complex Business Case

    Hyland Road Sports Complex Business Case

    Hyland Road Sports Complex Business Case

    Client

    Cumberland City Council (NSW)

    Project Purpose

    Otium was appointed by Cumberland City Council to prepare a Business Case for their WestInvest funding program. The project planned and delivered an underutilised site into the Hyland Road Sporting Complex, which will provide a regional standard indoor and outdoor sports facility and supporting community recreation offerings.

    Otium’s Role

    • Analyse expected outcomes and benefits.
    • Consultation with State Sporting Organisations.
    • Develop a detailed component schedule outlining the facilitym needs, including four rectangular sporting field with oval overlays, three cricket practice nets, an indoor sporting hall, nine small multi-use fields, and supporting infrastructure.

    Project Outcomes

    The Hyland Road Business Case was successful in securing $53.7 million for Council to progress with the total development.

    Project Challenges/Key Learnings

    Reactivation and design challenges associated with a contaminated site adjoining a riparian corridor.

    Community Benefits

    • The Hyland Road Sporting Complex will deliver significant indoor and outdoor sport and recreational facilities which are under-supplied in Cumberland and across Greater Sydney.
    • The facility mix provides for multiple sporting and user groups.
    • The Complex will support multiple major sporting and community events.
    • The project will generate an estimated $96.8 million in total benefits.
    • Addition of 66.1 total FTE jobs.
    Hockey Queensland Major Infrastructure Feasibility Study

    Hockey Queensland Major Infrastructure Feasibility Study

    Hockey Queensland Major Infrastructure Feasibility Study

    Client

    Hockey Australia and Hockey Queensland

    Project Purpose

    A feasibility study into Hockey’s major infrastructure requirements in Brisbane, not only to meet current and future needs, but also to develop a legacy for hockey from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    Otium’s Role

    • Principal consultant
    • Local and international research
    • Stakeholder engagement
    • Demand analysis and benchmarking
    • Options analysis
    • Future direction
    • Design brief, concept design, cost estimate
    • Financial operating and economic benefits modelling
    • Implementation Plan
    • Presentation to Parliamentary Committee.

    Project Outcomes

    • Final report presented to Queensland Parliamentary Committee.
    • Used by hockey bodies to secure a dedicated hockey venue for the 2032 Olympic Games.

    Project Challenges/Key Learnings

    • Hockey venue for 2032 Olympic Games predetermined requiring strong evidence for an alternative approach and venue.
    • Otium used multiple research and modelling techniques to prepare strong evidence and rationale for an alternative approach.

    Community Benefits

    Provided evidence to obtain a better 2032 Games legacy outcome and support improved hockey infrastructure outcomes for South East Queensland.
    Hawthorn Football Club Kennedy Centre

    Hawthorn Football Club Kennedy Centre

    Hawthorn Football Club Kennedy Centre

    Client

    Hawthorn Football Club (VIC)

    Project Purpose

    To develop a Master Plan for the Kennedy Community Centre, an elite and community training and competition sports facility on a greenfield site, for the Hawthorn Football Club.

    Project Capital Cost

    $130 million

    Otium’s Role

    • Development of a master plan including a facility component schedule to guide the architectural plans.
    • Engagement with key stakeholders including coaching staff, strength and conditioning staff and administration.
    • Review of concept plans and operational model.
    • Identification of elite training facility
      components.
    • Integration of community training and
      competition facilities.

    Project Outcomes

    Development of an elite competition and training venue to support AFL, ALFW, VFL, VFLW and community matches.

    Project Challenges/Key Learnings

    • The development of a facility on a greenfield site with sufficient land provided the opportunity to create a facility that supports both current needs and future opportunities.
    • Given the size of the site, there are opportunities to integrate alternative community sport uses such as indoor sports courts and a rectangular pitch.

    Community Benefits

    An integrated community, elite training and competition venue.