Key Takeaways
- The Town of Cambridge has announced a 12 to 24-month freeze on new, unplanned improvements to community facilities and open spaces.
- The freeze is intended to allow the town to develop its Leisure Assets Master Plan (LAMP), which will guide future spending on sport, recreation, and leisure needs.
- Regular maintenance and planned renewals will continue, and exceptions will be made for safety or high-risk issues.
- The town hopes to appoint a consultant in early 2026 and deliver the LAMP by 2028.
- Community engagement is expected to begin mid-2026, and a dedicated project page has been set up on the town’s website.
Introduction to the Freeze
The Town of Cambridge has made the decision to cut the purse strings for any new works on its community facilities or open spaces. This decision, announced on December 29, will see a 12 to 24-month freeze on new, unplanned improvements to these assets. The freeze applies to all upgrades, even if clubs or associations contribute funding. This move is intended to allow the town to develop its Leisure Assets Master Plan (LAMP), which will provide a clear direction on how to spend money on sport, recreation, and leisure needs.
Reasoning Behind the Freeze
The town’s mayor, Gary Mack, explained that the decision to freeze new works was necessary to ensure that the town’s decisions on spending were fair and sustainable. In the past year alone, the town had been asked for over $10 million in improvements, and Mr. Mack stated that the town needed a clear plan to prioritize these requests. The LAMP is intended to guide the town’s spending on community facilities and open spaces, ensuring that every investment is strategic and delivers the best outcomes for the community. Mr. Mack emphasized that the pause on unplanned improvements was not about saying no to requests, but about making sure that the town said yes in a way that supported clubs, protected community interests, and used ratepayer funds wisely.
The Leisure Assets Master Plan
The LAMP is a comprehensive plan that will provide clear direction on asset management, capital works, co-location and shared use opportunities, leasing and licensing arrangements, and funding priorities. The plan will be developed through a community consultation process, which will begin mid-2026. The town hopes to appoint a consultant early in 2026 who can work with the community to develop the plan. The consultant will be tasked with delivering the plan as swiftly as possible, without reducing the level or effectiveness of the community consultation required. The town expects to have the plan delivered by 2028.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is a crucial part of the LAMP development process. The town is encouraging clubs, community groups, and individuals to take part in the engagement process, which will help shape the plan and guide how the town prioritizes investment for the long term. Mr. Mack stated that the best way to advocate for a club’s needs was to take part in the engagement process, and that the town was committed to working with the community to develop a plan that met everyone’s needs. A dedicated project page has been set up on the town’s website, providing information and updates on the LAMP development process.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Town of Cambridge’s decision to freeze new works on community facilities and open spaces is a necessary step in developing a clear plan for the town’s future spending on sport, recreation, and leisure needs. The LAMP will provide a comprehensive guide for the town’s spending, ensuring that every investment is strategic and delivers the best outcomes for the community. The community engagement process will be crucial in shaping the plan, and the town is encouraging everyone to take part. With the appointment of a consultant expected in early 2026 and the plan delivery expected by 2028, the town is taking a proactive approach to planning for its future. The freeze on new works may seem like a short-term inconvenience, but it is a necessary step in ensuring that the town’s community facilities and open spaces meet the needs of its residents for generations to come.
