Population growth and new housing estates are encroaching on Wyndham open spaces used by motocross and model aircraft clubs.
Wyndham council has released a draft plan detailing how it plans to accommodate “hard to locate sports” – that is, sports that have traditionally occupied remote facilities due to noise, dust or safety risks – within the city in the next 10 to 20 years.
“There are currently a number of HTLS clubs which occupy facilities within Wyndham whose functionality is being compromised by urban expansion,” the council report read.
The plan looks at future facilities to accommodate a number of existing clubs and accommodate sports such as go-karting, parachuting and off-road remote control cars that have expressed an interest in establishing a presence in Wyndham.
Councillor and sport portfolio holder Peter Maynard said the strategy would help sport clubs that have traditionally occupied more remote facilities but are being impacted by urban growth.
Cr Maynard said growth trends meant many clubs would not be able to use existing facilities in the future, but added that the strategy would help local clubs operate in new or upgraded facilities.
“These sports are commonly found in councils which have an urban-rural boundary and generally don’t operate in urban areas due to risk to the general public, the noise generated by the activities or dust,” he said.
He said many of these sports were experiencing popularity growth.
“There is also a national trend towards more alternative sports – which typically involve some element of danger and thrill-seeking – proving popular with younger generations,” he said. “Continued population growth will further increase the demand for these sports.”
The draft strategy will be put out for public consultation.
