Simon Leisure Consulting

Simon Leisure Consulting sponsored one of the outings included in the City Restaurant Experience Night on the second evening of the Parks and Leisure Australia 2009 National Conference held recently in Darwin (13 – 16 September 2009).

A group of 33 delegates enjoyed fine food and wine at the exclusive Hanuman Darwin, one of Darwin's finest restaurants.  It was a great social evening and the feedback received from many who attended was that they enjoyed the food, the good company, and the fact that SLC Director, Richard Simon, picked up the tab for all drinks as a surprise gesture for all in attendance!!

Some of the guests enjoying Hanumans Darwin.

Simon Leisure Consulting Director, Richard Simon, was the lead consultant (at the time with Stratcorp Consulting) who worked with the City of Casey to prepare the award-winning Leisure Facilities & Development Plan (LFDP). The LFDP took out the Planning Category in the 2009 Parks and Leisure Australia National Awards.  The LFDP was judged the most innovative and comprehensive municipal leisure planning project undertaken in Australia in the previous 12 months.

A key point of difference with the LFDP when compared to other similar municipal leisure plans was the integration of the facilities development plan (valued at over $90M) with the framework for how the Casey City Council will stimulate increased use of existing and new sport and recreation facilities through a range of programs and services delivered in partnership with external partners, such as local clubs, and regional and state sporting associations.  The LFDP also prescribes guidelines and standards for the construction of facilities and includes a capital works assessment and prioritisation scoring tool to assist staff and Councillors to prioritise capital projects during budget preparations.

Richard Simon is pictured with the Casey LFDP project team members and the PLA National Award trophy.  From left: James Rouse (Team Leader Leisure Development), Andrew Butterfield (Team Leader Recreation Planning), Richard Simon, Robyn Bowen (former Manager Arts Leisure) and Richard Amon (Manager Recreation & Leisure).

Simon Leisure Consulting Director, Richard Simon, presented a paper on a draft Liquor Licensing at Council Recreation Reserves Policy at the recent Parks and Leisure Australia 2009 National Conference.  The paper was presented in conjunction with the City of Casey's Team Leader Leisure Development, James Rouse.

The presentation provided delegates with an insight into the reasons why the City of Casey initiated the policy as well as an overview of the methodology used to develop the policy.  Delegates were then walked through the key components of the policy and how the policy was expected to make a difference in the way recreation reserves will be used as places for sport and recreation by the community in a way not impacted by inappropriate use of alcohol.

Richard is pictured presenting at the PLA National Conference.