Victorian Golf Infrastructure Strategy and Facility Guidelines
Golf Australia (GA) with the support of the Victorian Government has commissioned SBP to develop a Victorian Golf Infrastructure Strategy and National Golf Facilities Guidelines to support future investment and development of golf facilities across the state.
In addition, SBP will also be updating the Community Impact Study of Golf in Victoria, first completed by SBP in 2015.
The projects are anticipated to be completed by mid-2021.
Project outcomes
The VGIS will provide an evidence base of data and insights to guide the planning and prioritisation of investment into golf infrastructure projects. The strategy will consider projects that deliver a strategic benefit for both golf and the local community.
Outcomes of the project will include:
Insights and understanding of the facilities and infrastructure elements which drive golf participation.
Best practice case studies that diversify and optimise the use of land and support economically and environmentally sustainable clubs and facilities, innovative and non-traditional golf activities. and which drive beneficial outcomes for the community.
An assessment of the impact of COVID-19 and recommendations to assist in the recovery from the pandemic.
Recommendations on the optimum GA workforce to assist the performance of golf clubs and facilities.
Identify opportunities for GA to increase golf participation by under-represented groups through improved diversity/inclusion within golf clubs and facilities.
An evidence base for establishing an ongoing Victorian Government Community Golf Infrastructure Fund Program.
Short, medium and long-term strategic golf infrastructure investment priorities.
A 10-year Implementation Plan to breakdown the strategies into operational tasks and ensure a clear path for implementation.
Community Impact Study that highlights the economic, health, social and environmental benefits which golf delivers for the Victorian community.
Project stages and timeline
A high-level overview of the project methodology and the timeline for each of the project phases is provided below.
| Stage | Stage Name | Tasks | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scoping & Project Management | Workshops with the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Project Working Group (PWG); Project Management Plan; 5-8 consultations with key GA staff | August 2020 |
| 2 | Literature Review | Review relevant GA strategies and policies; Review of best practice golf industry publications; Review of facility guideline documents. | September 2020 |
| 3 | Data Review and Enhancement | Analysis of Golf Link database; Analysis of Golf Facility Audit Data; Population and demographic forecasting; Facility provision and catchment analysis | September 2020 – December 2020 |
| 4 | Stakeholder Consultation | Large scale online survey with participants, golf club managers and golf industry stakeholders; Depth interviews with key stakeholders; Extensive series of regional workshops. | September 2020 – November 2020 |
| 5 | Strategy Development | Final Victorian Golf Infrastructure Strategy; National Golf Facility Guidelines; Updated study on the Community Impact of Golf in Victoria. | January 2021 – March 2021 |
| 6 | Implementation & Data Visualisation | 10-year implementation road map; Data visualisation dashboard to support strategic decision making; Case studies of best practice and innovation. | February 2021 – March 2021 |
Stakeholder consultation opportunities
Throughout the project stakeholder will have multiple opportunities to engage with the project and provide feedback. These opportunities include:
An online survey
Regional golf workshops
Interviews with select stakeholder
Please check back to this page for further details on the timings of the regional workshops and online surveys as they are released.
National Golf Facility Guidelines
The National Golf Facility Guidelines will be a dedicated resource to lead best practice planning, design, development, management and maintenance of golf facilities and infrastructure. They will be designed to cater to the diverse needs of a broad range of stakeholders, including golf club and facility managers, state and local government partners and other key golf industry stakeholders.
The Guidelines will provide direction around the development of golf facilities that are:
Welcoming and inclusive.
Economically and environmentally sustainable.
Designed to support innovative and non-traditional activities to grow participation.
Community Impact Study
As part of the VGIS, SBP will also be updating the Community Impact Study of Golf in Victoria. This study was first completed by SBP in 2015 and highlights the benefits that golf delivers to the community, including:
Economic benefits;
Health benefits;
Social benefits, and;
Environmental benefits.
The study will complement the Victorian Golf Infrastructure Strategy by clearly articulating and quantifying the positive impacts that golf facilities and infrastructure deliver in Victoria.
If you have any questions regarding the Victorian Golf Infrastructure Strategy please contact Cameron Wade, Special Projects Senior Manager, cameron.wade@golf.org.au.