AusLeisure

Returning for its first face to face event in three years, Parks and Leisure Australia has welcomed more than 500 delegates to its 2022 National Conference, staged at Melbourne Park.

Opening on Sunday, and continuing today with a series of site visits, the conference celebrated the myriad of outcomes of our parks and recreation to provide health, activity, socialisation and environmental settings and outcomes, as well as acknowledging that parks are where sporting elite performance has its start.

Over 500 delegates from across Australia attended the conference to share ideas and collaborate on themes including recreation and physical activity, horticulture and gardens, parks and open spaces, sport and the health, economic and socio- economic benefits of our parks and recreation industry.

With the theme ‘Grassroots, Where It Starts’ the conference has been an opportunity for the industry to come together, reconnect and network after two years of virtual conferences due to the restriction on travel and gathering during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference also saw PLA issue what it called the ‘Melbourne Statement’ calling on local, state and Federal governments, along with industry partners, to back four key actions, urging parties to:

1. Prioritise investment in delivering greener places and healthier communities in our cities and regions to improve the health of Australians and to become climate resilient places.
2. Partner in our urgent and collective response to a health and climate emergency.
3. Develop and implement a national urban health infrastructure and tree canopy targets in our cities and regions.
4. Commit to Gender Equity.

Click here to read the PLA’s full Melbourne Statement.

Image: Melbourne Park's CENTREPIECE awaits delegates at the 2022 Parks and Leisure Australia National Conference. Credit: Parks and Leisure Australia/Facebook.

Related Articles

10th October 2022 - New off-leash dog parks across Melbourne and regional Victoria offer spaces to exercise

4th October 2022 - Cardinia Shire Council aims to deliver better sport and recreation facilities

2nd October 2022 - New sport equipment recycling scheme looks to collaborate with sport and recreation facilities

30th September 2022 - Northern Territory Supreme Court rules on Director of Parks Australia damage to sacred site

20th September 2022 - Educators and recreation stakeholders call for more outdoor focus in schools

13th September 2022 - Play Australia launches campaign promoting the value of children’s outside play

2nd September 2022 - Lithgow Council challenged by vandalism and littering in parks and playgrounds

1st September 2022 - Parks Victoria releases draft designs for Hotham Alpine Crossing track

21st July 2022 - Changing Places funding ensures accessibility to Victorian parks and tourist destinations

13th July 2022 - South Australian National Parks spotlight marine park offerings during July

31st May 2022 - Theatres and parks to become more accessible in Parramatta

30th May 2022 - Mark Band to step down as Chief Executive at Parks and Leisure Australia

22nd February 2022 - Parks and Leisure Australia launches professional certification program

26th November 2021 - Parks and Leisure Australia recognise Nick Cox for long term support

15th October 2021 - Parks and Leisure Australia (WA) looks for consultant to deliver Leisure and Recreation Planners Course

26th August 2021 - Parks and Leisure Australia Conference to be a virtual event

18th August 2021 - Parks and Leisure Australia calls for final nominations for Green Flag Award

24th May 2021 - Parks and Leisure Australia to stage ‘Deconstructed’ Conference series in Western Australia

17th May 2021 - Parks and Leisure Australia regional conference looks to create a climate for change

13th May 2021 - Registrations open for PLA’s forum on establishing a National Women in Parks and Leisure Network

24th June 2020 - Parks and Leisure Australia salutes parks and their workers with green lighting initiative

12th November 2019 - Parks and Leisure Australia releases ‘Perth Statement’ on better planning and investment in community infrastructure

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.