With our population set to grow by almost 26,000 people by 2036, there is increasing demand for recreation, sport and active living opportunities.

The current Active Stonnington Strategy 2021–2025 has helped guide this growth by setting a clear vision for increasing physical activity for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

This Strategy is now due for renewal and will be replaced by the Active Stonnington Action Plan 2026–2029. The new Plan builds on what we’ve achieved so far and responds to what more than 750 residents, clubs and community partners told us during engagement.

The Action Plan focuses on what Council can directly influence — our programs, partnerships, public spaces and sport and recreation facilities. It is shaped by the People, Process, Place framework, which strengthens how we support participation, manage and plan our services, and improve the places where people are active.

The Action Plan aims to create a healthier, more connected and more active Stonnington community by making it easier for everyone to be active in ways that suit their lives.

Over 750 residents, club members and community partners helped shape the draft plan through surveys, workshops and pop-up sessions held across 2025.

We heard from young people, older adults, women and girls, culturally diverse residents, clubs and community organisations.

This draft Action Plan is now shaped around three key focus areas under the People, Process, Place framework:

1. People – Utilisation and activation across the space
2. Process – Processes and governance of the space
3. Place – Community sport and active recreation infrastructure.

People told us they want:

These themes are reflected throughout the draft Action Plan’s actions and priorities.

To inform the development of these plans we are undertaking a range of engagement activities including an online survey, workshops with sports and community organisations and intercept engagement sessions. This engagement process will ensure we are capturing the perspective of those already utilising Council provided facilities and programs, as well as those who are not to understand why.

Through this process Council would like to understand barriers and opportunities to participating in sports and active recreation across the Stonnington LGA. This includes gathering input from those already participating and importantly, those who are not.

This engagement builds on the extensive engagement previously undertaken over the past 24 months, including Stonnington’s Health and Wellbeing Plan, Social Connection survey and Community Views survey.

Active recreation is not just competitive sports – it also includes any physical activity that keeps people moving and socially connected. This could be cultural dance, walking groups, yoga, casual games in the park, or any other activity valued for health and well-being.