YARRA RANGES TENNIS PLANJULY 2014 - 2024

Contents

1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Our Vision

2.INTRODUCTION

3.THE IMPORTANCE OF TENNIS TO YARRA RANGES

4.SNAPSHOT OF TENNIS WITHIN YARRA RANGES

Tennis Facility Summary

Range of Surfaces

Surfaces in Yarra Ranges under Council Management

En tout cas (Clay/Red Porous )

Acrylic hard court

Other variations including sand filled artificial grass, carpet and synthetic clay

Asphalt

Occupancy of Council owned or managed facilities

Tennis Facility Audit 2013

Facility Standards and Maintenance

Current condition of Council owned tennis assets

Current Condition of Crown Land assets managed by Council

Crown Land Assets – Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI)

Private assets

5.Participation and demand

6.Sport Structure

Tennis Victoria

New Technology

The relationship with Tennis Victoria

Tennis Associations

7.Club Sustainability

Committees

Cash at bank

Membership fees

Coaching

Risk

8.Opportunities, Issues and Directions

Ongoing engagement with the Tennis Community

Club/Coaching support

Hierarchy of facilities

Management of Court Surface Types

Multi use courts

Phase out / Closure / Shared use

Forming Catchment based facilities

MLC Hot Shots Courts

Oversupply of courts

Montrose Terrace

Kilsyth Tennis Club

District Tennis Centre

Occupancy Arrangements

Service Arrangements for clubs on Crown Land facilities where Council is not involved

Public Access

Social tennis

Neighbouring Councils

9.Action Plan

Appendix 1 – Proposed Hierarchy of Facilities

Appendix 2 – Venue Specific Recommendations for facilities on Council Land or where Council is the nominated Committee of Management

Appendix 3 – Indicative Court Maintenance / Refurbishment / Decommissioning cost over ten years for courts on Council Land or where Council is the nominated Committee of Management

1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Our Vision

A tennis community that is active, dynamic, engaged, accessible and sustainable.

This report provides a strategic assessment of tennis facilities within Yarra Ranges Council. It not only focuses on those facilities directly owned by Council, it also considers crown land and private tennis facilities. It recognises and supports the role of tennis in community building and creating active and engaged residents. The strategy also defines Council’s role in supporting sustainable tennis participation in Yarra Ranges.

It provides a pathway forward for the continuing delivery of tennis opportunities to the community taking into consideration:

  • Current and future participation rates
  • Trends and new program opportunities
  • Sustainable management and operation of Council owned or managed facilities
  • The need for change in the way the sport is supported
  • Revised management occupancy agreements
  • Equitable treatment of tennis with other sports supported by Council
  • New models of operation
  • A closer partnership with the peak body, Tennis Victoria / Tennis Australia

Recommendations made in this plan have been developed based on the following:

  • Consultation with tennis club committees, associations and coaches
  • Engagement with key stakeholders including Council staff, Tennis Victoria and private providers
  • An audit of tennis facilities, including the development of an asset plan and inventory
  • Presentation of a draft report and consideration of community feedback

The action plan has been developed for a ten year period with high, medium and low priorities with delivery being subject to available resources. The plan is due for review in 2024.

2.INTRODUCTION

The need for a Yarra Ranges Tennis Plan was prompted by several factors including the ongoing decline in tennis club memberships, requests from clubs for support and amalgamation and the closure of a number of clubs within the Shire.

The project involved the following key tasks:

Stage 1

  • Situation Analysis / Issues Paper
  • Background Research and Demographic review
  • Physical assessment of current facilities

Stage 2

  • Extensive Community/Stakeholder consultation (Tennis Victoria, Clubs, Coaches and Tennis associations)
  • Assessment of Neighbouring Council facilities
  • Identification of site and facility options
  • Identification of potential partners

Stage 3

  • Draft report
  • Presentation to Forum
  • Community/Stakeholder feedback

Stage4

  • Final Report for adoption by Council

3.THE IMPORTANCE OF TENNIS TO YARRA RANGES

There are a range of recreation and sporting opportunities available to residents within Yarra Ranges. These opportunities provide residents with a place to connect to their community and a way to be physically active and engaged. Work undertaken by Council in the preparation of the Community Health and Well Being plan clearly identifies a range of significant health issues affecting our community. These include both physical and mental health. There is a significant cost to the community both now and into the future associated with these health issues.

Tennis provides a range of activities, across seven days to varying demographic groups. It is a sport that is played by young children and well into old age and has both male and female participants. Activities include:

  • Tennis Clubs
  • Places to connect with others
  • Opportunity to give back to the community
  • Social Tennis
  • Health and fitness
  • Places to play and meet people
  • Competition Tennis
  • Health and fitness
  • Improved skills
  • Cardio Tennis
  • Health and fitness
  • social
  • MLC Hot Shots
  • Active children
  • ACE (Accessible, Community and Equality)
  • Socially Inclusive
  • Coaching
  • Active children and adults

4.SNAPSHOT OF TENNIS WITHIN YARRA RANGES

Tennis Facility Summary

There are currently 34 facilities (Council, crown land and private) offering tennis opportunities to the community. The majority of these facilities are Council owned (23), four are managed by Council as Crown Land Committee of Management under the Crown Land Reserves Act 1978[1]. There are four facilities directly operating under Department of Environment and Primary Industries (formerly DSE) appointed Committees of Management and three private facilities.

The table below outlines the current distribution by Council Ward.

Ward / Club Name / Venue / No. Of Courts / Members / Coaching Program
O’Shannassy / Warburton
Warburton Caravan Park
Yarra Junction
Gladysdale
Woori Yallock
Yellingbo
Hoddles Creek
Launching Place / Swing Bridge Reserve
Warburton Caravan Park
Yarra Junction Recreation Reserve
Gladysdale Public Hall
Woori Yallock Recreation Reserve
Tudor Crt Rd
Hoddles Creek Recreation Reserve
Wickhams Rd Reserve / 2
4 (2 courts managed by Warburton Tennis Club
4
1
4
2
2
2
(22) / 65
30
Public access only
11
8
10
Public access only
(124) / Y
N
Y
N
N
N
N
N
Chandler / Seville
Monbulk / Seville Recreation Reserve
Monbulk Recreation Reserve / 6
4
(10) / 90
111
(201) / Y
Y
Ward / Club Name / Venue / No. Of Courts / Members / Coaching Program
Billanook / Mount Evelyn
Mountainvale / Birmingham Rd
Hereford Rd / 4
4 (Indoor)
(8) / 60
Commercial business
(60) / Y
Y
Chirnside / Chirnside Park Country Club
Public Court / Chirnside Park Country Club
Village Green Reserve / 6
1
(7) / 100
No club
(100) / Y
N
Lyster / Selby
Belgrave Heights
Belgrave
The Patch / Minak Reserve
Central Park
Borthwick Park
The Patch Hall / 4
5
4
1
(14) / 60
60
90
40
(250) / Y
Y
Y
Y
Melba / Manchester Heights
Lilydale
Lakeside (BJ Allatt) / Brice Avenue Reserve
Anderson St
Hull Rd / 6
8
2
(16) / 100
120
Private / coaching
(220) / Y
Y
Y
Ryrie / Steels Creek
Healesville
Coldstream
Yarra Glen
Gruyere / Steels Creek Rd
Queens Park
Don Rd Reserve
Halley Supple Reserve
McKenzie Reserve
Gruyere Recreation Reserve / 2
6
4
4
6
2
(24) / 70
180
18
69
Public Access only
(343) / Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Ward / Club Name / Venue / No. Of Courts / Members / Coaching Program
Streeton / Kalorama / Mt Dandenong
Ferny Creek
Upwey Tecoma
Upwey South / Kalorama Reserve
Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve
Upwey Recreation Reserve
Upwey South Recreation Reserve / 3
5
5
6
(19) / 20
150
50
80
(300) / Y
Y
Y
Y
Walling / Kilsyth
Montrose Terrace
Montrose
Mooroolbark / Kilsyth Recreation Reserve
Keith Hume Fraser Reserve
Montrose Reserve
Kiloran Park / 7
4
7
8
(28) / 86
20
200
40
(346) / Y
N (Coach to commence in 2014)
Y
N
TOTAL / 147 / 1944

In addition to the facilities identified in the above table there are a number of tennis facilities that have folded and/or courts are in varying states of disrepair.

Ward / Club / Venue / No. Of Courts / Court Condition / Ownership
O’Shannassy / Warburton East
Wesburn
Gilderoy / Warburton East Reserve
Wesburn Park
Gilderoy Reserve / 1
1
1 / Unusable
Unusable
Unusable / Council
Council as COM
Crown
Billanook / Morrisons Reserve / 2 / Used for Netball / Council
Chandler / Wandin East
Wandin North
Silvan / Wandin East Recreation Reserve
Wandin North Recreation Reserve
Silvan Recreation Reserve / 2
2
4 / Suitable for use
Used for Netball / Council
Council
Council
Ryrie / Dixons Creek / Dixons Creek Reserve / 0 / Now a playground / Council
Streeton / Ferny Creek / Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve / 2 / Very Poor / Crown
Walling / Montrose Terrace / Keith Hume Fraser Reserve / 2 / Unusable
Very Poor / Council
TOTAL / 17

Range of Surfaces

The 147 courts provided within Yarra Ranges offer a variety of surfaces in a range of conditions. Tennis Australia recommends that court surfaces be evaluated against the following criteria:

  • Usability/functionality
  • Meets member needs
  • Tennis Australia Player development surface
  • Maintenance Obligations
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Capital costs
  • Replacement Costs

Tennis Victoria can provide advice and provides a Court Surface Selection Matrix tool in excel format to assist in the court surface selection process. Tennis Australia has a defined court surface policy. It is based on the International Tennis Federation classification system. (

Surfaces in Yarra Ranges under Council Management

En tout cas (Clay/Red Porous )

There are 72courts of this surface type; 64 under Council ownership and8 as Council as Crown Land Committee of Management. Key features associated with this surface:

  • Permeable surface designed to allow water to drain vertically down through the court facilitating play soon after rain
  • Sustainability of these courts with their heavy dependence on water resources impacts on their condition and viability (the watering cycle on a 18m x 36m tennis court may consume well over 1000 litres of water per day in warmer months. In winter the courts will be watered a lot less as the rain will keep the courts damp and in good playing condition.)
  • Medium-soft shock absorption for players which is important in minimising injury

Acrylic hard court

There are 34 courts, 24 under Council ownership, and 10 with Council as Crown Land Committee of Management. Key features associated with this surface:

  • Three types of surfaces to maintain, non-cushioned, liquid application and mat laid cushion (slightly different maintenance requirements depending on surface type)
  • Need recoating every 7 to 10 years
  • More expensive to construct
  • Medium hard surface for player comfort unless cushioned, then medium – soft shock absorption for players

Other variations including sand filled artificial grass, carpet and synthetic clay

There are 12 courts,8 under Council ownership and, 4 with Council as Crown Land Committee of Management. Key features associated with these surface types:

  • Construction methods uses tufted synthetic carpet laid on base of either concrete, asphalt or crushed rock
  • It is cost effective surface with efficient drainage and can be played upon when damp
  • Surface needs to be regularly groomed and sand particles rejuvenated
  • Should be resurfaced every 10 to 12 years, which is mid range compared with other surface lifespans
  • Medium – soft shock absorption for players

Asphalt

There are three courts under Council ownership with this surface. Key features associated with this surface type:

  • Long term durability for public access tennis (i.e. non competition)
  • Low maintenance
  • Hard surface for player comfort and injury prevention

Occupancy of Council owned or managed facilities

Council requires clubs that use Council owned or managed tennis facilities to enter into a lease agreement. The preferred term is 5 years, with a review at the end of each the period. Standard lease conditions require clubs to fully maintain the courts[2].

All leases further stipulate the following pavilion / club house maintenance responsibilities:

  • Keep the Premises and the Tenant's Property clean and free from rubbish, store all rubbish in proper containers and have it regularly removed;
  • Keep the Premises in the same condition as it was in at the date the Tenant first entered occupation of the Premises (fair wear and tear excepted) including repairing or replacing anything in the Premises (including all furnishings and floor coverings) which are damaged, worn or destroyed with items of at least the same quality;
  • Paint and where appropriate paper any parts of the Premises previously painted or papered wherever reasonably required by the Council;
  • Maintain in working order all plumbing, drains, pipes and sewers exclusively servicing the Premises;
  • Pay the costs (if any) for the removal of waste and sewerage from the Premises;
  • Maintain any gardens in the Premises in good condition well watered and free of weeds;
  • Treat in a proper and professional manner (including polishing or varnishing as appropriate) all surfaces of the Premises (including wood, tile and metal surfaces) with the appropriate materials approved by the Council when reasonably required by the Council;
  • Repair all defective lights, fluorescent tubes, windows, doors and locks in or exclusively servicing the Premises;
  • Make good any damage caused to any adjacent property by the Tenant;
  • Take all reasonable measures to ensure that any fair wear and tear to the Premises does not cause any loss or damage to the Premises, the building on the Land, or any person; and
  • Give the Council prompt written notice of any material damage to the Premises or anything likely to be a risk to the Premises or any person in the Premises.
  • The Tenant must observe and comply with the Building Maintenance Policy.

A standard starting fee of $50 per court applies for each year. There are a range of anomalies (mainly historical) with these leases including varying terms of tenure to that outlined above. Fees can also vary. Some of the fee variations have been made in response to club requests - hardship issues and some allow for CPI based increases over the term of the lease.

Tennis Facility Audit 2013

As part of this project all tennis facilitiesthat are publically accessible in Yarra Ranges were inspected. This included facilities that are not the responsibility of Council. (e.g. Chirnside Park Country Club, Ferny Creek Tennis Club) The data obtained from this audit have been used to assist in the development of this plan. The information following is a summary of the findings.

Facility Standards and Maintenance

Clubrooms are designed to support tennis club use only. The majority consist of kitchenettes, toilets and a social area. Themodest size of many clubrooms reduces the Club’s ability to hire out the facility to generate revenue. Facilities are well maintained and family friendly and there is obvious pride in these spaces. Unlike many other sports,Tennis Clubs do not have extensive bar and catering facilities and therefore do not rely on income generated from these activities. It does mean that clubs have less financial capacity but this has not diminished their focus on community health and well being.

A number of clubs also provide outdoor spaces to cater for family friendly activity. Adequate storage space for court, coaching and maintenance equipment is an issue for many clubs.

Floodlighting

Court lighting is provided at the majority of tennis facilities and is essential for the continuation of the sport and optimisation of the available facilities. A variety of lighting is in place from the older style tower corner lighting models to the more modern lower level side lighting. Flood lights should meet Australian Standards as defined at the time of installation. An audit of lighting, similar to that recently undertaken for sports fields will be recommended as part of this report to ensure adequacy and safety of fixtures and fittings as well as appropriate luminance.

The provision and maintenance of lights is currently a club responsibility. A set of pole mounted lights to service 2 courts would cost in the vicinity of $46,200 plus GST[3] which is an expensive item for most clubs. Access to change globes can also be difficult and expensive as in many cases travelling towers are required.

Fencing

A variety of fencing is in place across facilities. There are 21 facilities where the fences require attention. The preferred fence type has a top and bottom rail to prevent bulging in the mesh and is either black or green coloured. Much of the current tennis fencing within Yarra Ranges is not of this style which in part, contributes to the current poor condition of fencing at facilities. Tennis Victoria recommends a height of 3.6m wherever possible. Australian Standard AS1725.2 Tennis Court Fencing – Commercial recommends a height of between 3.0m and 3.6m.[4] A Standard club court fence3.6m H, black, top and bottom rail would cost $145 plus GST per lineal metre. An average single court has about a 100m perimeter. To replace the fencing at the 21 facilities identified will cost in excess of $300,000.

Shade

Tennis courts in Yarra Ranges do not tend to provide shade structures, other than through the surrounding landscape. (i.e. trees) Covered seating or the provision of spectator seating areas is also limited. The provision of shade structures should be considered in future upgrades of major facilities.

Court Maintenance

Clubs are responsible for the maintenance of courts within leased and licensed areas. This is stipulated in the Building Maintenance Policy. “Elements appurtenant to function (eg. tennis court, play ground etc.) Full Maintenance.”[5]

Many courts are located with nearby overhanging trees which results in ongoing issues of leaf litter and root damage to courts. Poor drainage is another factor effecting court maintenance. If courts are not properly and regularly maintained it effects the longevity of the surface as well as creating risk management issues for player safety and court playability. Clubs are required to take out public liability insurance to the value of $20M and to also reimburse Council’s building Insurance costs.“The Tenant must pay to the Council within 14 days of demand, the cost of any insurance premium to insure the Premises against damage or destruction.”[6] This is not enforced.