Sport, Recreation and Leisure Needs Assessment
Douglas Shire Council is undertaking a Shire-wide Sport, Recreation and Leisure Needs Assessment to better understand how our community plays, moves and connects — and what may be needed in the future.
Over the coming months, we’ll be inviting locals to share their thoughts through surveys, conversations and community pop-in sessions. Sporting clubs will be invited to participate with a specific survey related to the sporting facilities.
Your feedback will help guide long-term planning for recreation across the Shire, ensuring our parks, open spaces, facilities and programs continue to meet community needs as we grow and change.
This includes understanding how key sporting hubs, local playing fields and community spaces are used now — and how they may need to evolve over time.
What Do We Mean by “Recreation”?
For this Needs Assessment, recreation includes a broad range of activities that take place in our parks, open spaces, and Council facilities.
This includes places such as:
- Parks and playgrounds
- Sporting fields and courts
- Natural areas and walking/cycling tracks
- Beaches and waterways
- Indoor sports centres and community halls
Recreation can be structured or unstructured — and both are equally important.
Structured Recreation
Structured recreation refers to organised club sport and competitions, such as:
- Soccer
- Netball
- AFL
- Rugby league or union
- Hockey
- Basketball
- Other organised team sports
These activities are typically run by clubs or associations and involve regular training and competition.
Unstructured Recreation
Unstructured recreation includes casual or informal activities, such as:
- Walking and cycling
- Playground use
- Fitness in the park
- Skate parks and pump tracks
- Casual basketball hoops
- Tai chi
- Social sports like pickleball
- General park use and informal play
These activities are self-directed and can happen at any time, without being part of a formal club or competition.
If it helps people get active, connect with others, enjoy the outdoors or participate in sport — it fits within this study.
What This Project Is (and Isn’t)
This project is about planning ahead.
It will help Council:
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Understand what’s working well
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Identify gaps or emerging needs
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Recognise changing participation trends
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Prioritise future investment
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Prepare concepts that are ready to seek funding when opportunities arise
This project does not mean new facilities will be built immediately.
Instead, it provides the evidence and direction Council needs to:
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Plan staged improvements over time
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Apply for external funding
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Align recreation planning with population growth and community priorities
We encourage you to share your ideas — including “wish list” items.
Part of this process is balancing community aspirations with funding availability, land constraints, environmental considerations and long-term planning responsibilities.
What Should the Future of Sport and Recreation Look Like?
Tell us how you play, move and connect — and what you’d like to see across the Shire, including:
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Parks and open spaces
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Unstructured recreation areas
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Skate and pump tracks
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Walking and fitness opportunities
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Courts and sporting facilities
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All-abilities play spaces
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Activities, programs and social recreation
Your feedback will help shape a healthier, more active and more connected Douglas Shire — now and into the future.
Have Your Say
Take the survey. Share your ideas. Spread the word.
The more voices we hear, the stronger the evidence base for future recreation planning across Douglas Shire.
Take The Survey
Ask A Question
Ask Council questions about the Recreation Needs Assessment by emailing enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au
Pop-In Sessions
We’ll also be holding informal pop-in sessions at locations across the Shire, giving you the opportunity to drop in, have a chat and share your ideas in person. This page will be updated with additional sessions as they are confirmed.
Port Douglas Markets
Sunday 18 April 2026
Sunday 3 May 2026
