The City of Onkaparinga has released its draft Sport and Active Recreation Action Plan 2021-25 to get more people physically active, and it wants residents to have their say.

“We want to address the fact that more than half of Onkaparinga’s residents aren’t sufficiently physically active—echoing national and global trends,” says Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson.

“A key focus of council’s vision for the city is fostering active and healthy communities, and this draft plan charts a course for how we’ll achieve this over the next five years.

“Our plan aims to increase participation in sport and active recreation, support clubs and organisations to be safe, welcoming and well-managed, and improve local facilities so they’re safe and meet community needs.”

The plan has been informed by detailed research and extensive engagement with sport and active recreation groups, clubs, associations and the broader community and industry, and council is seeking feedback via its Your Say page until Sunday 7 March.

“Our communities are full of sports-lovers, with about 20,000 people playing sport in the city across more than 200 clubs and organisations, and 40 sporting codes.

“We need to continue to support these sporting communities, by maintaining and enhancing services and facilities, ensuring access to active recreation and reversing the trend of declining physical activity.

“This is important because we know regular physical activity contributes to quality of life, improves health, wellbeing and community connection, and delivers economic benefits to Onkaparinga.

“Our goal is to ensure our residents can access opportunities to be physically active in ways that suit them,” Mayor Thompson says.

The draft Sport and Active Recreation Action Plan 2021-25 is available for review via council’s Your Say page.