Facilitating shared use of assets

Social infrastructure assets should be multi-functional so they can be used by different groups for different purposes.

A good example is school facilities such as halls, pools and sporting fields, in both the public and private sectors. Many community health facilities may also be suitable for community use. These are commonly regarded as community assets that support everyone's health and wellbeing.

" Social infrastructure assets should be multi-functional so they can be used by different groups for different purposes. "

Sharing these assets builds a strong sense of community ownership that connects people and further enhances liveability (see Figure 8.3).61

However, multi-purpose community facilities at many schools, TAFEs and universities are consistently underused.

Making better use of these assets while ensuring they remain fit for their original purpose is equally valuable in cities, where space is scarce, and in regional and remote locations, where such facilities are often at the heart of communities.

Security and safety concerns, and associated policies, can be inflexible barriers. They often restrict the use of facilities as shared spaces, deterring viable opportunities for the co-location of complementary providers such as local government, sporting and community groups, or independent and Catholic schools.62

State and territory education, health and treasury departments, and school and health governance bodies, must work together to overcome these barriers and make it easier to access and use infrastructure outside core operating hours.

Some schools have already established ongoing access arrangements with councils that allow sporting or community groups to use school facilities at agreed times. In return, councils provide funding for capital works or maintenance at the school.

To work effectively, all partners need to establish mature frameworks, streamline processes and put in place the necessary insurances, security and payment systems.

This will maximise the value of assets to the community and generate revenue that can be allocated within facilities.

Figure 8.3: Sharing community assets such as school facilities contributes to whole-of-community wellbeing

Doveton College in Victoria is a successful cross-sector partnership between the Victorian Government, the Colman Foundation and the Australian Government. The College provides community access to education, health and family services, as well as the College's performing arts centre, fitness centre and community meeting places.

Image source: Doveton College, Victoria (2021)