Central Reserve Renaming Consultation Considered
Published on 28 February 2019
Central Reserve Renaming Consultation Considered
Colac Otway Shire Council is encouraging the community to have its say on proposed policies which could allow sponsorship of sporting facilities, tributes to sporting identities and benefits for the community.
Colac Otway Mayor Jason Schram thanked the community for its submissions, following Council’s decision in September last year to investigate community sentiment regarding the possible renaming of Central Reserve Colac and/or components of the reserve.
“Council received 153 survey responses and a majority supported retaining the name of Central Reserve, while there was support for structures or facilities to be named after local sporting administrators or sportspeople who had achieved excellence,” Cr Schram said.
“There was also support for considering temporary naming rights of Sporting Reserves or parts of it to provide an opportunity raise money.
“The temporary right does not alter the base name, for example GMHBA stadium is still Kardinia Park.
“Council has considered the public submissions regarding Central Reserve, and has now developed a draft Temporary Naming of Sporting Reserves Policy, a draft Memorial and Plaques Policy, and draft Recreation Reserve Advertising Signage Guideline which would apply to all sporting venues if adopted.”
The draft Temporary Naming of Sporting Reserves Policy provides the framework for how temporary commercial naming would be considered.
The draft Memorial and Plaques Policy provides the framework on how structures can be named after individuals.
The draft Recreation Reserve Advertising Signage Guideline provides the framework on how recreation reserves could be signposted and adds additional information to the planning scheme.
“Reserves will retain their names; Central Reserve will remain Central Reserve, but the proposed policies would create an opportunity for local sporting clubs to raise revenue for themselves through temporary naming rights,” Cr Schram said.
“Creating this opportunity places ensures that our clubs that play outside the shire have the same opportunities as their rivals.
“If you consider the GFL, a number of ovals have temporary names like The Gordon Tafe Oval at St Albans Reserve and Bisinella Oval the Lara Recreation Reserve.