Community Facilities – Expression of Interest Guidelines

Guidelines for tenure of community facilities

‘There is a rich range of social networks, community groups and partnerships throughout the city. Brisbane’s community facilities are accessible, high quality and meet the diverse needs of the community’. Brisbane Vision 2031.

Brisbane City Council’s principles for allocating community facilities

  1. To foster and promote equitable access to facilities and opportunities for participation in a wide range of community, sport, recreation, and cultural activities to provide positive benefits and values to the community.
  1. To increase the health, social well-being and community life of Brisbane.
  1. To ensure that the use of community facilities are aligned to the Brisbane Vision, Council’s strategies, legislative and regulatory frameworks, and are not used for purposes such as political gain or places of worship, or for activities that support, promote or facilitate violence, intolerance or discrimination.
  1. To encourage community development by providing community organisations with facilities and other resources to deliver their activities.
  1. To work in partnership with community organisations to ensure that the development and management of community facilities reflect demonstrated community need and best practice for facility and asset management.
  1. To promote optimal use of community facilities in cooperation with residents of the city and community organisations.

To be eligible organisations must meet the following criteria

  1. Be an incorporated association or equivalent.
  1. Be a not-for-profit community-based organisation.
  1. Have open membership (Constitution or Articles must state that membership is open to the general public).
  1. Demonstrate an ability to meet the financial obligations of a lease, licence or other tenure arrangement (including providing a copy of the most recent audited financial statements and a business plan where appropriate).
  1. Maintain appropriate insurances for the term of tenure including:

·  $20 million public liability

·  a damage policy covering buildings and fixtures to full replacement value (leases only).

  1. Maintain a post office box for the term of the tenure.
  1. Support the local community.
  1. Applications for residential purposes or from commercial/for profit organisations
    are not eligible.
  1. Organisations wanting to store or distribute food items will not be eligible.

What community facilities are available?

Council advertises when seeking expressions of interest for Council’s community facilities. Visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for ‘prospective tenants’ to view a list of available community facilities.

A fact sheet is available for each facility.

To arrange an inspection please email or contact Council on (07) 3403 8888.

Fees and charges

The cost of preparing and registering (if applicable) a tenure arrangement is payable by the applicant and is outlined in Council’s schedule of fees and charges. Costs may include lease preparation, stamp duty, survey costs, and titles office registration.

Annual rent is also payable as outlined in Council’s schedule of fees and charges.

Additional charges may apply including water and sewerage charges, cleansing dues, fire services and environmental levies, general maintenance, and insurance.

How does the expression of interest process work?

A panel assesses each expression of interest and negotiates tenure arrangements with the successful applicants.

How do I apply?

If your organisation is interested in this opportunity you can visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au to lodge your application. You will need to meet the eligibility criteria and submit a response to the key selection criteria.

The key selection criteria include:

·  demonstrated need for activities in the local area or within Brisbane

·  capacity and willingness to share the facility with other community organisations

·  viability and capacity to manage a community facility including financial capacity to meet operational costs and development commitments

·  evidence that the grant of tenure will be in the public’s interest and that the proposed activities will increase sport, recreation and/or community participation level

·  any other criteria deemed relevant by Council in relation to a specific community facility.

The ability to meet the eligibility criteria must be detailed on or attached to the application form before any application can be considered.

For more information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on (07) 3403 8888.