Climate resilience and inclusive design resources
Office of Sport supports sport infrastructure that goes beyond compliance and delivers value for money.
Inclusive design
The NSW Government supports sport infrastructure that goes beyond compliance and meets high design standards.
Using inclusive design helps make sure public money given to successful organisations delivers the best value for the community.
Projects that apply inclusive design principles can help create sport facilities where everyone feels they belong.
Purpose
This document aims to improve the quality of grant programs by:
- showing how grant programs help create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone taking part in sporting opportunities delivered by successful grantees
- reviewing current inclusive design requirements under grant programs
- recommending how inclusivity and Universal Design could be positioned in future capital grants
- helping grant program applicants understand and apply inclusive design principles.
Design approaches
The Office of Sport is committed to creating more accessible and inclusive communities by:
- applying Universal Design principles when upgrading existing venues and facilities or delivering new works
- supporting grant projects that apply Universal Design principles and promote best practice examples.
There are several design approaches that aim to remove barriers, support equitable participation and improve access to spaces, services, information and opportunities for diverse communities.
The Office of Sport uses Inclusive Design as the overarching approach. This approach incorporates Universal Design principles and legislated accessibility requirements.
Both approaches are based on the social model of disability. This model recognises that disability is created by environmental, attitudinal and design barriers, rather than by a person's impairment.
Universal Design
Universal Design is the process of creating spaces, products and services that can be used and understood by as many people as possible.
Universal Design considers the diversity of human experiences throughout the design process. It prioritises inclusion and belonging as key elements of good design and delivers benefits for everyone.
The following Universal Design principles should be considered alongside the minimum requirements set out in the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards (AS).
Equitable use means all users can access and use a space comfortably and effectively. Spaces should support inclusion by providing flexible and equivalent options that meet the needs of different users.
Flexibility in use recognises and accommodates different user preferences and abilities. Spaces should be adaptable and provide choice and flexibility in how people access and use them.
Simple and intuitive use means spaces are predictable, consistent and easy to understand. Users should be able to navigate the space, understand its purpose and use it as intended, regardless of their experience, knowledge or ability.
Perceptible information ensures important information can be recognised and understood by all users. Information should be available in multiple formats, such as text, images, Braille or symbols, and be easy to identify and interpret.
Tolerance for error means designing spaces to reduce the risk of mistakes and unintended use. This includes minimising hazards, providing clear warnings, incorporating fail-safe features and considering how users receive feedback when errors occur.
Low physical effort recognises the diverse needs and abilities of users. Spaces should support comfortable and efficient use by reducing physical strain and limiting the need for repetitive actions.
Size and space for approach and use considers how people access, move through and use a space. Designs should accommodate different ways of using a space, including sitting or standing, varying levels of mobility and strength, and the use of supports or assistive devices.
Accessible design
Accessible design is often based on minimum legislative requirements and recognised standards that define how access should be provided to buildings and facilities so they can be used by people with disability.
While these requirements are intended to improve access for people with disability, they can also create better access and usability for everyone.
The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (Premises Standards) are a legislative instrument made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).
The purpose of the Premises Standards is to help ensure people with disability have equal access to public buildings. They set national performance requirements that support equitable and dignified access to new buildings and to areas of existing buildings that are being renovated or upgraded and require building approval from a council.
The National Construction Code of Australia (NCC) applies to new buildings and buildings undergoing significant refurbishment or alteration.
The NCC includes access requirements that generally align with the Premises Standards and requires compliance with a range of accessibility provisions.
Australian Standard AS 1428 – Design for Access and Mobility sets out design requirements for new building work.
The standard supports compliance with the NCC and the Premises Standards and helps provide access for people with disability.
Although these legislative requirements apply to new buildings and to parts of existing buildings being renovated where approval is required, they are often used as a benchmark for older buildings and other elements of the built environment. This may include parks, walkways, stairs and existing buildings or spaces that are not undergoing an approval process.
Grant applications for new builds or facility improvements should identify how the project responds to one or more of the seven Universal Design principles. Applications should demonstrate how proposed design solutions go beyond minimum legislative requirements.
Legislation and policy
Inclusive and accessible design approaches operate within a broader framework of obligations and commitments that support equitable access.
These approaches align with expectations set out in international, national and NSW strategies and policies relating to social inclusion, disability and sport.
- United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)requires states to ensure accessibility, participation, equality, and universal design principles. Universal design is explicitly mandated as a design approach nations should adopt.
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include a commitment to equitable, accessible and inclusive societies.
- UN New Urban Agenda (2016) prioritises universal design and accessibility to create inclusive, sustainable cities for all, focusing on people with disabilities, older persons, and vulnerable groups.
- Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 which guides national action to strengthen requirements for inclusive communities and accessible infrastructure.
- Australian Sport Policy 2035 (Australian Sports Commission) with themes strongly aligned with inclusive design: A safe, inclusive and welcoming sporting system; Access for all Australians; and Infrastructure and participation settings that consider diverse user, including accessible and inclusive sport and recreation.
- Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 and complementary sections of the National Construction Code implement minimum accessible design standards. AS1428.1 is an Australian Standard that sets out the minimum design requirements for new building work to ensure safe, dignified and independent access for people with disabilities, covering paths of travel, circulation spaces, doorways, ramps, signage and sanitary facilities.
- NSW Disability Action and Inclusion Guidelines provide a consistent framework for NSW Government agencies, councils, and funded organisations to plan, implement and monitor actions that support people with disability to fully participate in community life.
- NSW Office of Sport Disability Inclusion Action Plan plans for Accessible sport environments; Removing physical and social barriers; and Applying universal design in capital works.
Design elements
Examples of design elements that consider universal principles, and projects that respond to them:
| Community connectivity and inclusion | Examples of projects |
|---|---|
| How are new visitors supported to locate and navigate to the premises? |
|
| Are there visual cues you can see from the road and, or carpark that identify the building and where to enter? |
|
| Are accessibility features or barriers clearly displayed on entry to the premises? |
|
| The user journey | Examples of projects |
|---|---|
| Accessing the premises |
|
| On entry, is it clear where to go next or what to do? |
|
| On entry, what are the sensory experiences like? (such as visual, scent, auditory) |
|
| Are there flexible resting spots with seating options? |
|
| User experience | Examples of projects |
|---|---|
| Are doors and the approaches to them suitable for everyone? |
|
| Assistance animals – does signage reaffirm their right of access? are accommodation and toileting facilities available? If none are available, is there information on the nearest green area? |
|
| Do the speed settings on security gates, revolving doors, and lift doors allow sufficient time for all users to safely navigate? |
|
| Have key staff and volunteers received training on disability and inclusive practices? | This is a training program that will deliver an understanding of differences including physical, cognitive, sensory, and psychosocial to our key personnel, including:
|
| Are the bathroom facilities truly inclusive? Unisex Accessible toilet/s – Consider adding space for baby and/or adult change table. Consider Master Locksmiths Access Key or other card type access system for people with limited dexterity if use is to be limited. |
|
| Do lifts provide audible notifications announcing opening and closing doors and floor numbers? |
|
| Are storage and counters at varied heights? Is circulation space, privacy, lines of supervision or interrupted lines of site where privacy is appropriate considered? |
|
| Low Physical Effort - design solutions that can be used with a minimum of fatigue. |
|
| Materials selection focuses on ensuring products, architecture, and environments are accessible, equitable, and sustainable. |
|
| Public domain that encourages social interaction, and is pedestrian-oriented/ female friendly / safe, passive surveillance / no dark or concealed spots / universally accessible facility |
|
| Stadium (seating) – consider the specific need for your patrons or potential users rather than follow minimum standards. |
|
| Communication - Hearing Augmentation, public address systems may have a text alternative, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and other ways to update the community |
|
| Lighting – Consider where your project can go beyond compliance. |
|
Sustainability and climate resilience
The Office of Sport supports improved sustainability across the facilities and lighting upgrades it funds.
The NSW Government supports sport infrastructure that goes beyond minimum compliance and demonstrates a high standard of design.
Program guidelines require projects to incorporate environmental sustainability and climate resilience throughout the design, construction and operation of the facility.
Projects should demonstrate how they will:
- withstand the impacts of coastal inundation, flooding, drought and fire
- support sun safety
- maintain safe conditions during adverse weather.
All projects are expected to align with industry best practice.
Sustainable development is evolving from a focus on reducing environmental impact to delivering positive environmental, social and economic outcomes.
This regenerative approach promotes a holistic and integrated view of sustainability.
The principles that underpin these facility requirements draw on established international frameworks that support regenerative outcomes, including:
- Living Building Challenge
- One Planet Living
- Green Star Communities
- Just Communities Protocol.
New buildings and major refurbishments are expected to operate for many decades.
To remain sustainable, functional and supportive of inclusive communities over their lifespan, facilities should be designed and delivered to a high standard that reflects current leading practice.
This approach helps ensure facilities can respond to ongoing changes and advancements across the building and development industry.
Minimum sustainability requirements focus on achieving outcomes rather than prescribing specific methods. This allows applicants to select solutions that suit their project context and budget.
Lighting projects are addressed separately to reflect their more limited scope and reduced requirements.
These advisory notes outline sustainability and operational objectives for facilities and provide practical examples of how they may be achieved.
The guidance is intended to:
- support completion of grant applications
- inform the development of project design briefs
- assist when engaging designers and builders
- support decisions about materials and equipment
- improve sustainability outcomes across funded projects.
Use this checklist to explain how your project will include environmental sustainability and climate resilience in its design, construction and operation.
Instructions for applicants
Complete this checklist to confirm if your application meets the minimum requirements.
For each item:
- Select yes or no.
- Select not applicable if the project does not address the item, or does not intend to go beyond the minimum requirements.
- Provide a brief description of how the outcome will be achieved.
- Use dot points only.
- Include evidence to support your responses in the documents you submit.
- Where relevant, outline any proposed alternative measures, outcomes or innovations.
- Include the reasons for any variation, with the related costs and benefits.
Advisory notes
Advisory notes are provided separately. They explain the intent of each requirement and suggest ways to address them.
File
download Download Office of Sport Buildings Sustainability Checklist - Word Document (DOCX 21.91KB)Use this checklist to describe how your project will include environmental sustainability and climate resilience in its design, construction and operation.
Instructions for applicants
Complete the sustainability checklist to confirm if your application meets the minimum requirements.
For each item:
- Select yes or no.
- Select not applicable only if the item is outside the scope of your project.
- Provide a brief dot point description explaining how you will meet each requirement.
- Include supporting evidence in your submitted documents.
Alternative approaches
If you propose an alternative approach, briefly describe:
- the proposed measures
- expected outcomes or innovations
- reasons for the variation
- costs and benefits.
Guidance
Refer to the separate advisory notes for guidance on each requirement and suggested approaches.
File
download Download Office of Sport Lighting Upgrades Sustainability Compliance Checklist - Word Document (DOCX 18.38KB)Buildings Sustainability Checklist
Download and complete the sustainability checklist to confirm your application meets the minimum requirements.
Lighting Upgrades Sustainability Compliance Checklist
Download and complete the checklist to describe your project’s sustainability and climate resilience.
Search for grants
Contact the Office of Sport
Phone: 13 13 02
Post: Locked Bag 1422, Silverwater NSW 2128
Address: Level 3, 6B Figtree Dr, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
More options to contact us.