Nillumbik Shire Council manages sports grounds for a variety of sports including football, cricket, soccer, rugby, lacrosse and baseball. All grounds can be hired casually or for a sporting season by incorporated organisations.
Council recognises the need to effectively manage the use of its public open space by all facets of the community including sporting clubs, schools, personal and group trainers, commercial organisations and the general public. It is essential for Council to manage open space areas to ensure:
- Users conduct their commercial fitness activities in a safe and appropriate manner that does not reduce the amenity of Council public open spaces.
- Activities conducted by users do not adversely affect the condition of public open space areas and sports fields i.e. increased training activities on sports fields may deteriorate surface conditions.
- Maintain the amenity of public open spaces and reserves.
- Users apply to conduct their commercial activities on public open space and formalise a use agreement with Council.
- Ensure equity of access to public open space and regulate the use of Council land by commercial organisations.
- Risk management and litigation issues are addressed in a formal use agreement between Council and users.
Types of usage agreements
There are a number of usage agreement types that can apply to sporting clubs and organisations wishing to use sporting facilities in Nillumbik. These are:
Lease agreements
Lease agreements are used to provide clubs with exclusive use of Council sports facilities for an agreed period. The lessee has use of the leased facility under clearly stated terms and conditions which are subject to negotiation.
Due to the exclusive nature of this agreement, a lease agreement is only issued where it is appropriate to do so.
Clubs operating under a lease agreement may sub-let/hire to other community-based groups in line with their current lease agreement.
Licence agreement
A licence agreement provides a club with a permit to use a facility for an agreed purpose for an agreed period of time. Licences do not provide user groups with exclusive occupancy rights to the facility.
Clubs operating under a licence agreement are not permitted to sub-let facilities to another group.
Casual permits (outdoor trainers)
Casual permits provide temporary use of Council facilities for an agreed period of time. These permits are commonly used for festivals, events and any commercial activity conducted on Council facilities.
Applications for permits can be lodged online below.
All permits are subject to sports grounds casual hire conditions of use. We reserve the right to cancel a permit at any time if there is a breach of the conditions of use.
Personal trainers
Council recognises the valuable service personal and group trainers provide in maintaining the health and wellbeing of residents. Public open space used by groups - for profit and not for profit - require management to ensure access for the whole community.
Personal and group trainers are required to apply for the use of a reserve or area of public open space through the below Application process.
Personal training - which includes:
- Gym sessions (with or without hand weights, fit balls, skipping ropes etc)
- Boxing and pad training
- Organised aerobic activity and running groups
- Circuit training
Gentle exercise activities - which includes:
- Relaxation, meditative, balance and strength activities – such as Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi
Other commercial or group activities - which includes:
School bookings
Sports grounds are available for school bookings between 9am to 4pm weekdays. Applications for school bookings must be lodged at least 14 days prior to the event.
Schools can apply online below for a Casual Hire.
All permits are subject to Sports grounds conditions of use.
We reserve the right to cancel a school booking at any time if there is a breach of the conditions of use.
Seasonal sports ground allocations
A seasonal allocation provides the use of Council owned/managed sports grounds to clubs for a six-month season.
Summer sports - 1 October to 31 March
Winter sports - 1 April to 30 September
Clubs seeking a seasonal allocation can apply online below.
New sporting clubs interested in securing a seasonal allocation are advised to contact our Recreation and Leisure Services team at leisure@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or 03 9433 3111 to discuss your club’s needs and the options that may be available.
Council can only enter into usage agreements with incorporated organisations. For further information on incorporation or for a club to gain incorporation status contact Consumer Affairs Victoria.
How to apply