AusLeisure

Parks and Leisure Australia (NSW/ACT + QLD) has announced a dynamic new partnership with Newcastle City Council for their Regional Conference which will be held in Newcastle, New South Wales.

With the theme IMAGINATION + INNOVATION, this collaboration will bring together industry leaders, professionals, and community members for a forward-thinking event focused on transforming the future of parks, recreation, and leisure across the region. The conference, taking place in Newcastle on 7^th & 8^th May 2025, will explore the boundless opportunities created when imagination and innovation come together to shape the places we live, work, and play.

Parks and Leisure Australia NSW/ACT’s President Simon James noted “Parks and Leisure NSW/ACT is grateful to the City of Newcastle for partnering with us in the delivery of our annual conference.  To be able to have the event in a regional centre such as Newcastle provides a fantastic location for leaders to come together and make the industry stronger.  The Newcastle area is experiencing significant growth and is producing some great recreation spaces for the community to get out in and use, obtaining all the benefits that it brings.  We look forward enjoying the Novocastrian hospitality and creating networks that benefit the region into the future.”

The conference will feature a diverse program of thought-provoking presentations, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and site visits. Attendees can expect to engage in meaningful discussions around the latest trends and innovations in the parks and leisure sector, all while imagining new ways to create thriving, sustainable, and inclusive community spaces.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy added “we’re committed to making Newcastle a liveable, sustainable and inclusive city and these values are shared by Parks and Leisure Australia. We look forward to welcoming guests from all over Australia in May and showing off some of the wonderful parks and recreation spaces our city has to offer.”

Further details to come on program announcements and key speakers.