By YASEMIN TALAT
BRIMBANK City Council has launched an updated draft Sports Facility Hire, Licenses and Leases Agreement Policy and is seeking community feedback over an eight-week consultation phase.
The council’s community well-being director Neil Whiteside said the recommendations as part of the draft were important steps to ensure equity across sporting clubs in the municipality and to gain broader community engagement.
As part of the draft there will also be a review on the current fees and charges, which means there will be an increase to fees across the board, Mr Whiteside said.
“At the moment there’s a rental amount flat fee of $160,” Mr Whiteside said.
“And it doesn’t matter if the club has the best facility in Brimbank or the worst, that’s what they pay.”
“So we very much want to make sure we can link the fees to the facility and make it more equitable.”
Under the current policy clubs pay a minimal fee of $160 a year, with sports clubs in other municipalities contributing upwards of $1000, with an average cost closer to $3000 or $4000 for the use of similar facilities, Mr Whiteside said.
Chairman of Brimbank Administrators John Watson said there was a strong need to update the current Sports Facility Agreements Licences and Leases Policy (2006).
“Under the proposed policy new agreements will significantly benefit the Brimbank community and clubs as they will focus on clubs actively engaging with the entire Brimbank community to provide participation opportunities in addition to covering the operational requirements of clubs and the council,” Mr Watson said.
“While the new policy will bring fees more into line with industry standards, clubs in Brimbank would still pay less than those in surrounding municipalities if they take advantage of the incentives offered,” he said.
There will be an extensive consultation period with clubs until 21 May.
There will also be two information session during this time open for all to attend.
These will be on Thursday 10 April and Monday 14 April both from 6.30pm at the Visy Cares Hub in Sunshine.
Interested people and clubs may provide written feedback on the draft policy during the consultation period to Leisure Services, Brimbank City Council, PO Box 70, Sunshine Vic 3020, or emailed to LeisureFeedback@brimbank.vic.gov.au
For more information visit brimbank.vic.gov.au or call 9249 4917.
