"SPORT4ALL" ACCESS AND INCLUSION PROGRAM - OUTCOMES AND LEARNINGS · Report

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                              9 JUNE 2026


REPORT
Background

Sport4All is a national initiative delivered by Get Skilled Access (GSA) and funded by the Australian
Government. Following a successful pilot in Victoria, the program was expanded nationally to
support local governments, sporting clubs and community organisations to become more inclusive
and accessible for people with disability.

Rather than a competitive grant, Sport4All operated as a two-year partnership between GSA and
participating councils. A key strength of the Sport4All model is its provision of two-year funding to
better facilitate long-term change. By building local capability and confidence, clubs and
organisations are better equipped to continue inclusive practices beyond the life of the program.

Noosa Council voluntarily joined the program in 2024, becoming the first local government in South
East Queensland to participate. Through this partnership, Council received both funding support and
specialist expertise to employ a 0.6 FTE Inclusion Coach over the two-year period.

Noosa Demographic Relevance

Noosa Shire has a diverse and ageing population profile, with a growing need to ensure equitable
access to sport, recreation and community services and infrastructure for all residents.

Key demographic considerations include:
•   A resident population of 56,298 people as at the 2021 census with a 2025 estimated resident
    population of 59,551
•   A median age of 50.5 years, significantly higher than the Queensland median
•   36% of the population aged 60 years and over
•   29.6% of residents living with one or more long-term health conditions
•   5.6% of residents requiring assistance due to a profound or severe disability
These figures highlight a substantial proportion of the community who may experience barriers to
participation in sport, recreation and community life.

In addition, the ageing population profile indicates that:
•   The prevalence of disability and access needs is likely to increase over time
•   Demand for inclusive programs, facilities and services will continue to grow
Noosa is also characterised by a highly engaged and active community, with strong participation in
sport, volunteering and community life. Ensuring these opportunities are accessible and inclusive is
critical to maintaining community wellbeing, social connection and participation.

This evidence demonstrates a clear and ongoing need to embed access and inclusion across
Council services and community programs and public infrastructure, ensuring that all residents have
equitable opportunities to participate in community life.

Noosa Access and Inclusionary Program – Overview

Noosa Council delivered the "Sport4All" Access and Inclusion program from June 2024 to June
2026.

Critical to setting up the program for success was the recruitment of the part-time Inclusion Coach
role and ensuring that the person appointed had lived experience of disability, experience within the
sports sector and a strong ability to develop effective relationships and partnerships.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                               9 JUNE 2026



The role had two key purposes:
•   Strengthen inclusive practices across community organisations, particularly in the sport and
    recreation space; and
•   Improve Council’s organisational approach to access and inclusion
The Inclusion Coach worked closely with local sporting clubs, schools and community organisations
to assess accessibility, deliver targeted training, and support the development and implementation
of Inclusion Action Plans. Ongoing guidance helped embed inclusive practices into programs,
facilities and operations in a practical and sustainable way.

A secondary focus of the role was to influence broader access and inclusion outcomes across
Council services. Locating the Inclusion Coach within Council enabled a broader organisational
impact beyond the original program scope, particularly through the provision of advice on inclusion
in planning, service delivery and infrastructure. This demonstrated the value of a dedicated specialist
role in strengthening Council’s understanding of the needs of people with disability and improving
equitable access to its facilities, programs and services.

Deliverables and Outcomes

The program delivered outcomes significantly beyond its original scope, demonstrating both strong
community demand and the value of a dedicated inclusion role.


Program Reach and Participation

The program achieved significant reach across the community, far exceeding the required Sport4All
indicator of engaging a minimum of 4 sporting clubs:
•   25 sporting clubs and organisations engaged
•   16 Inclusion Action Plans completed or in progress
•   Over 12 face-to-face training sessions delivered
•   Approximately 150 individuals trained
•   Engagement extended beyond sport to include schools, disability support organisations and
    community groups
The role also supported the delivery of inclusive sport opportunities, including:
•   Walking Basketball program, delivered with support of Noosa Cyclones Basketball Club at the
    Noosa Leisure Centre
•   Wheelchair Basketball Kids Club, delivered with the support of Suncoast Spinners
•   A four-week Wheelchair Rugby League program delivered at Tewantin State School
•   Adaptive Skateboarding initiatives at Peregian Skate Day
•   Adaptive Pickleball and inclusive participation initiatives
•   Modifications made to ParkRun Noosa
These programs responded to identified community demand and established sustainable
participation pathways.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                               9 JUNE 2026




Wheelchair Basketball Kids Program in partnership with Suncoast Spinners




Sport4All Club Training - Peregian Beach Tennis Club

Capability Development

A key outcome of the program was the measurable increase in knowledge, confidence and capability
across clubs, organisations and Council staff.

This was achieved through targeted training, one-on-one support, and partnerships with specialist
organisations such as Carers QLD and Spinal Life. Feedback from participants indicates improved
understanding of both visible and invisible disability, and increased confidence in adapting programs,
environments and communication approaches to support inclusive participation.

Importantly, the program shifted practice from awareness to action, with organisations implementing
practical and sustainable changes through Inclusion Action Plans and ongoing guidance.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                  9 JUNE 2026




Sport4All school training

Partnerships and Community Outcomes

The Inclusion Coach facilitated strong partnerships between sporting clubs, disability support
organisations, schools and the Department of Education, and Council services resulting in more
coordinated and accessible participation pathways across the community.

These partnerships resulted in tangible and sustained community outcomes, including:
•   Improved access to Council facilities and community spaces for disability support organisations
    to deliver sport and recreation programs.
•   Increased utilisation of Council halls and facilities for inclusive programs and activities.
•   Direct connections between clubs and disability support services, enabling more consistent and
    supported participation opportunities.
•   Practical pathways for individuals with disability to transition from supported programs into
    mainstream community sport and recreation environments.
•   Increased confidence among clubs and community organisations to engage with and support
    participants with disability.
In addition, these partnerships enabled system-level outcomes, including:
•   Greater alignment between Council services, community organisations and local clubs.
•   Improved awareness of inclusion opportunities across the community.
•   A more connected and responsive local inclusion network.
These outcomes demonstrate a shift from isolated engagement to a more integrated and sustainable
inclusion ecosystem across the Noosa community.

Infrastructure and Accessibility

The Inclusion Coach role opportunistically contributed to improved accessibility outcomes through
targeted input into infrastructure planning, facility upgrades and program delivery, supporting more

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                              9 JUNE 2026


inclusive design and use of Council assets.

Key contributions included:
•   Providing advice and feedback on accessibility considerations for facility upgrades, including
    support for funding applications and project planning.
•   Supporting beach accessibility initiatives at Main Beach, including consultation on wheelchair
    storage and access considerations.
•   Working with internal teams and facilities to embed inclusive design principles into planning,
    upgrades and operational decision-making.
These contributions resulted in:
•   Improved consideration of accessibility needs at the early planning and design stages, reducing
    the need for reactive modifications.
•   Increased confidence among Council staff to incorporate inclusive design into projects and
    facility management.
•   Greater alignment between community needs and infrastructure outcomes.
This work has supported a shift toward a more proactive, integrated and consistent approach to
accessibility across Council, ensuring facilities and public spaces are better positioned to meet the
needs of all community members.




Improving access within Council facilities - Noosa Cyclones Walking Basketball team

Equipment and Innovation

The program supported practical inclusion by developing and providing adaptive equipment and
locally driven solutions, increasing participation for people with disability across the community.

Key initiatives included:
•   Development of Boccia ramps, including locally made versions in partnership with Noosa Men’s
    Shed and Boccia Australia
•   Introduction of an Angled Aid through the Noosa Library of Things

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                               9 JUNE 2026


•   Investment in adaptive equipment to support inclusive programs across clubs, schools and
    Council facilities
This work delivered meaningful outcomes:
•   Improved access to affordable, practical equipment
•   Increased capacity for local organisations to deliver inclusive activities independently
•   Reduced reliance on external resources through locally available solutions
•   Strengthened partnerships across community, local and national organisations
•   Greater innovation through community-led responses to local needs
•   Integration of inclusive equipment into existing community infrastructure
This work supported a shift toward sustainable, community-driven inclusion, with equipment and
resources embedded locally for ongoing use.

Organisational Impact




Immersive training in partnership with Spinal Life

The Inclusion Coach position provided specialist advice and support across multiple Council
departments, including Community Development, Arts and Culture, Libraries, Parks and
Playgrounds, Infrastructure Planning, Design and Delivery, Disaster Reconstruction and Commercial
Business Advisory.

There has been ongoing and increasing demand for access and inclusion expertise, reflecting a
growing need to embed inclusive practice across services, facilities and projects. This has
contributed to earlier integration of accessibility into planning and improved consistency in inclusive
service delivery across Council.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                             9 JUNE 2026



The role also supported the Sports and Active Lifestyles team with implementation and ongoing use
of the Cerge accessibility platform across key facilities, including Noosa Leisure Centre, Noosa
Aquatic Centre, Cooroy Badminton and Noosa Tennis Club. This improved the accuracy and visibility
of accessibility information and enhanced the user experience for people with disability.

Research and Innovation

The Inclusion Coach role supported two University of the Sunshine Coast Occupational Therapy
Honours projects, providing practical insight to ensure outcomes were relevant to local community
needs. The projects focused on adaptive sports equipment access and sensory spaces for inclusive
events.

Key contributions included:
•   Identifying local priorities to shape project direction
•   Providing practical guidance and real-world context
•   Reviewing solutions to ensure applicability across Council and community settings
This work resulted in:
•   Innovative, locally relevant inclusion solutions
•   Improved access to resources supporting participation
•   Increased capability across Council and partner organisations
It also strengthened partnerships with the tertiary sector, supported workforce development, and
overall contributed to a pipeline of future-focused, evidence-informed inclusion initiatives.

Key Learnings

This program marked Noosa Council’s first dedicated access and inclusion program, providing
valuable insights that will inform and strengthen future action planning and programming. The scale
and breadth of outcomes delivered under a part-time (0.6 FTE) role demonstrates a high return on
investment relative to program cost. Collectively, the outcomes represent a shift from ad hoc
inclusion efforts to a coordinated approach, helping to position Noosa as an emerging leader in
inclusive sport and recreation.

What worked well:
•   Importance of recruiting someone with lived experience and expertise
•   Embedding the role within a Council context
•   Positive impact externally and internally of having an access and inclusion point of contact and
    champion in the organisation
•   Development of strong relationships with clubs, schools and organisations
•   Support from expert, external advisors
•   Model and flexibility of program delivery
•   Ongoing, tailored and practical support to ensure realistic and sustainable change
Improvements for future planning:
•   Earlier and more coordinated integration with internal Council teams
•   Allocation of dedicated resources to support development and implementation of programs
•   Stronger cross-department collaboration to embed inclusion in planning and operations

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                               9 JUNE 2026


•   Improved long-term planning and funding certainty to support program sustainability
•   Clearer governance, accountability, and reporting frameworks to track progress and outcomes
Next Steps

To sustain the outcomes of the Sport4All Inclusion Coach program and maintain momentum, a
structured pathway forward is recommended.

Transition Planning

With the program concluding in June 2026 transition planning is underway to:
•   Share knowledge and resources developed through the role;
•   Transition and maintain relationships; and
•   Identify priority areas for continuation or expansion.

Establishment of an Ongoing Access and Inclusion Function

The breadth of outcomes achieved through the program demonstrates the value of a dedicated
inclusion function within Council. It is proposed that Council consider establishing an ongoing Access
and Inclusion function, including a permanent Inclusion Officer role, to provide organisation-wide
coordination and expert advice.

This function would:
•   Facilitate the development of an Access and Inclusion Framework or Action Plan is
    recommended to guide priorities, accountability and measurable outcomes, aligned with the
    Corporate Plan.
•   Embed access and inclusion across planning, infrastructure, services and programs;
•   Provide consistent specialist advice to internal teams;
•   Provide an expert avenue to Council for people experiencing barriers to access and inclusion;
•   Maintain and expand partnerships with community, sport, education and disability sectors; and
•   Support continuation of inclusive participation pathways established through the program.
At present, no dedicated funding is allocated to progress this function and it is recommended that
Council would benefit from consideration in future budgets.


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme 2 - Liveability
This theme encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable
an inclusive, connected and vibrant community.
2.8 - Provide opportunities to enhance the health, wellbeing and safety of our communities.

Theme 5 - Excellence
This theme focuses on governance, workforce capability, innovation and effective service delivery.
5.4 - Provide a progressive working environment and practices which prioritise the wellbeing, safety,
inclusiveness and development of our people.

Theme 3 - Prosperity
This theme recognises the importance of partnerships, innovation and community development.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                            9 JUNE 2026


3.8 - Partner with industry, innovative and research organisations to bring awareness, investment,
and develop innovative outcomes for the Shire.




Previous Council Consideration
Nil


Finance
The program was funded through a combination of external funding and Council contributions.

The total program cost was $140,000 over two years, with $69,496 funded by GSA and $70,504
contributed by Council. The primary expense was a temporary 0.6 FTE Level 5 Inclusion Coach role,
costing $59,357. Additional costs included adaptive equipment, immersive training, and wheelchair
sport programs.


Risk & Opportunities
Risks

The absence of a dedicated Access and Inclusion role at Council presents a number of risks:
• Reduced organisational capability to provide access and inclusion advice.
• Loss of knowledge and expertise developed over the Sport4All program period.
• Reduced support for clubs and community organisations to sustain inclusive programs.
• Risk of inconsistent or reactive approaches to accessibility across Council.
• Loss of momentum in established programs, partnerships and community outcomes.

Importantly, many of the program’s most significant outcomes were achieved outside the original
KPIs and were directly enabled by the presence of a dedicated inclusion role. These outcomes are
unlikely to be sustained without ongoing resourcing.

Opportunities

The continuation of an Access and Inclusion role presents opportunities to:
• Embed inclusion across business-as-usual operations, both internally and externally facing.
• Strengthen early integration of accessibility in infrastructure and planning.
• Expand inclusive programs and participation pathways.
• Build on established partnerships and community connections.
• Position Council as a leader in inclusive and accessible communities.


Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with
Council’s Human Rights Policy.

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                   9 JUNE 2026


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Get Skilled Access

Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
    Office of the CEO, Mayor &             Community Services               Corporate Services
            Councillors
     Mayor & Councillors             x   Director                        Director
     Chief Executive Officer             Community Connection        x   Financial Services
     Executive Officers              x   Sport & Active Lifestyles       Revenue Services
     Community Engagement                Arts & Culture                  ICT
     Governance                          Customer Experience             Procurement
                                                                     x   People & Culture
     Strategy & Environment              Development & Regulation        Infrastructure Services
     Director                            Director                        Director
     Strategy & Sustainability           Development Assessment          Civil and Asset operations
     Economic Development        &                                       Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                         Local Laws
     Destination Management                                              and Delivery
     Environmental Services              Environmental Health            Waste
     Innovation & Digital Hub            Building & Plumbing             Building & Facilities
     Commercial Property                 Property / Permits              Disaster Management

                                                                         Fleet