Thank you to everyone who participated in our community engagement on the Lease and Licence Policy review.

Between 29 November 2022 – 29 January 2023, we heard from 53 community members via online survey and email about their views on proposed changes to this Policy.

Strong support and a few concerns:

Most respondents (74%) were supportive of Council not permitting a tenant or licensee’s gaming licence application at any of Council’s facilities, and strong support (77%) was shown for the draft Policy to provide an opportunity for group 3 tenants (e.g. tennis, bowls and lifesaving clubs) to apply for rental subsidies if community activities reduces their ability to generate revenue.

Respondents were somewhat positive, (55% supported, 33% opposed and 13% unsure/neutral) as to whether the draft Policy sets out a clear and transparent approach to assessing community lease and licence applications.

There was a slight opposition (55% negative and 42% positive) as to whether the draft Policy includes appropriate categories to ensure valuable social, environmental and economic outcomes.

Changes to the Policy:

Based on the feedback received, a number of minor changes have been made to the Policy.

These changes have added in additional legislation, strategies and State Government legislation that is relevant to Surf Life Saving Clubs and updated references to State Government departments.

What we’re doing:

Council officers are recommending the adoption of the Lease and Licence Policy 2023 on the basis that:

• the majority of feedback to survey questions and commentary was positive
• the Policy as currently drafted adequately reflects the high-level direction of Council (through the Council Plan and Property Strategy) and outlines what will be taken into account when making decisions regarding leasing and licencing
• the new subsidy application for Group 3 tenants will address some of the issues raised by tenants in that group regarding the calculation of their rent
• where individual tenants have raised issues that relate to the terms of their individual lease or negotiations for a new lease (in particular where those matters are not expressly dealt with at a policy level), officers will work through those questions with the individual tenant referring to the Policy where applicable.

Next steps:

Council will consider community feedback and a proposed Lease and Licence Policy for adoption at its February 2023 meeting.

Council meeting 6:30pm, 21 February

• Read the agenda
• Ask a question
• Request to be heard
• Watch the meeting