North Sydney Council to investigate gender inclusion at sporting facilities

15 November 2024

North Sydney Council has resolved to urgently review its allocation of sporting fields and facilities, focusing on gender equity and accessibility. The motion, led by Mayor Zoe Baker, calls for a comprehensive assessment of field access for female athletes and individuals with disabilities, aiming to ensure that Council’s Community Strategic Plan Vision 2040, which advocates for inclusivity and community well-being, is reflected in practice.

In her mayoral minute, Baker referenced a report from the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, which highlighted significant demand and a shortage of sports facilities across the region. The North Sydney Local Government Area, already under pressure from population growth, was identified as having the least available sporting spaces in the region. “Access to safe recreational and sporting facilities promotes health and wellbeing,” Baker stated, adding that, for women, girls, and people with disabilities, access to such facilities “is too often limited or unavailable.”

The Council’s resolution seeks a breakdown of training and playing hours by gender at key locations, initially focusing on Cammeray Park, Anderson Park, and North Sydney Oval. The review will also examine hiring policies for alignment with gender equity and accessibility principles. Additionally, an audit will assess access opportunities for people with disabilities, including the policies of clubs that rent Council fields.

Council acknowledged recent findings from “Pitch Up,” an organisation advocating for equitable access to sports facilities for women and girls, which reported that female athletes have access to less than 50% of sports fields and are often scheduled at less desirable times. Baker noted that this review aligns with the Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which aims to enhance inclusivity in community spaces.

The motion was carried unanimously, with all councillors voting in favour. A report will be provided to the Council and the Access and Inclusion Committee ahead of the winter sporting season.