New policies for sporting ground sponsorship and naming

Published on 26 April 2019

New policies for sporting ground sponsorship and naming

Colac Otway Shire Council has adopted new policies which will provide frameworks for the commercial sponsorship of sporting grounds, and the naming of structures after individuals or events.

The development of a Temporary Naming of Sporting Grounds Policy, and Memorial and Plaques Policy responded to community feedback regarding the possible renaming of Colac’s Central Reserve.

Shire Mayor Cr Jason Schram said Council requested officers undergo community engagement last year and found that there was support for considering commercial naming rights for Central Reserve.

“Council received 153 responses to a survey and invited clubs and other stakeholders to make formal submissions.

“The community supported the naming of structures in honour of sport administrators or sporting excellence but there was little support to change the Central Reserve name.

“Council has prepared and endorsed policies and guidelines to provide the necessary framework for temporary reserve naming and the naming of structures.

“The policies will apply across the shire and to all reserves where Council is the landowner or committee of management on behalf of the crown.”

The Temporary Naming of Sporting Grounds Policy includes guidelines for the type of names that will not be considered and how funds from naming rights can be spent.

The Memorial and Plaques Policy details what type of plaque and memorials can be considered, along with maintenance expectations and obligations.

Council has referred the Recreation Reserve Advertising Signage Guideline draft to a Councillor briefing for further discussion to consider preventing the advertising of industries identified in Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan as being harmful to the community, such as problem gambling.