Active Reserve Hire Policy

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At the 23 April 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting the draft Active Reserve Hire Policy was endorsed by Council for the purpose of public feedback. The draft policy is now open for community comment.

In August 2024 Council endorsed the Community Sporting Reserve Plan (CSRP), which aims to address the current and future facility needs of the Fremantle community. A key recommendation from the CSRP is to develop a consistent and equitable policy for Public Open Space and Community Facility bookings, covering casual, seasonal, and annual hire arrangements.

Currently, sporting clubs and community organisations typically apply for seasonal hire, which is manually processed — limiting flexibility and often not reflecting actual use. The draft Active Reserve Hire Policy aims to streamline this system and better match bookings to real demand, providing a structured, inclusive, and sustainable approach to managing City-owned or managed sporting reserves.

The draft policy applies to all groups and individuals wishing to access a City owned and/or managed active sporting reserve and aims to provide flexibility, consistency and equitable access for sports clubs, schools and community members, allowing for more efficient use of reserves outside traditional timeslots and seasons. Some reserves covered by the policy are leased by local Fremantle clubs, whose long-term commitment and use have been acknowledged through priority access aligned with their existing tenure agreements. Early consultation with local clubs and schools that use the City's active spaces has shown support for the policy and more efficient and transparent booking processes.

In summary, the draft Active Reserve Hire Policy aims to:

  • Support sound management practices which increase availability for use of public open space.
  • Encourage greater participation in a wide range of activities that improve individual and community health and well-being;
  • Encourage and support existing organisations and activities and the emergence of new groups and activities that address community needs;
  • Ensure that people and groups with diverse needs have the opportunity to access community facilities;
  • Ensure the use of public open spaces are sustainable overtime
  • Engender an equitable and consistent approach to the hire of all active sporting spaces across the City.

The City recognises that the adoption of this policy may affect sporting clubs and associations, as well as educational, commercial and/or not-for-profit organisations within the community. This engagement process seeks to inform the public of this policy proposal and collect feedback from individuals, groups, and organisations for Council to consider before its final adoption.

Before the Council makes a final decision on the Policy, we are asking the community to:

  • Review the draft Active Reserve Hire Policy, Key Documents and Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Contribute feedback by completing the survey below.
  • Provide a written submission or request a 1:1 or group meeting with a City Officer.

City Officers aim to:

  • Keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.
  • Work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are duly noted, provide clarity on questions that may arise.

How can you meet with City Officers to discuss this policy and your feedback?

  • 1:1 or Group Meeting: Would you like to meet 1:1 with City Officers to get clarification on the policy, and how to best submit your feedback? You can request a meeting by emailing communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au. Please note, we'll aim to meet all requests subject to staff availability.

How can you make your submission?
Submissions can be submitted online via the submission form below, or:

A hard copy of the survey can be sent or picked up upon request by emailing the Community Engagement team here: communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

Hard copies of the draft policy are also available at the Walyalup Civic Centre, 51 High Street, Fremantle between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Please note submissions will close on 29 May 2025 at 5pm AWST.

At the 23 April 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting the draft Active Reserve Hire Policy was endorsed by Council for the purpose of public feedback. The draft policy is now open for community comment.

In August 2024 Council endorsed the Community Sporting Reserve Plan (CSRP), which aims to address the current and future facility needs of the Fremantle community. A key recommendation from the CSRP is to develop a consistent and equitable policy for Public Open Space and Community Facility bookings, covering casual, seasonal, and annual hire arrangements.

Currently, sporting clubs and community organisations typically apply for seasonal hire, which is manually processed — limiting flexibility and often not reflecting actual use. The draft Active Reserve Hire Policy aims to streamline this system and better match bookings to real demand, providing a structured, inclusive, and sustainable approach to managing City-owned or managed sporting reserves.

The draft policy applies to all groups and individuals wishing to access a City owned and/or managed active sporting reserve and aims to provide flexibility, consistency and equitable access for sports clubs, schools and community members, allowing for more efficient use of reserves outside traditional timeslots and seasons. Some reserves covered by the policy are leased by local Fremantle clubs, whose long-term commitment and use have been acknowledged through priority access aligned with their existing tenure agreements. Early consultation with local clubs and schools that use the City's active spaces has shown support for the policy and more efficient and transparent booking processes.

In summary, the draft Active Reserve Hire Policy aims to:

  • Support sound management practices which increase availability for use of public open space.
  • Encourage greater participation in a wide range of activities that improve individual and community health and well-being;
  • Encourage and support existing organisations and activities and the emergence of new groups and activities that address community needs;
  • Ensure that people and groups with diverse needs have the opportunity to access community facilities;
  • Ensure the use of public open spaces are sustainable overtime
  • Engender an equitable and consistent approach to the hire of all active sporting spaces across the City.

The City recognises that the adoption of this policy may affect sporting clubs and associations, as well as educational, commercial and/or not-for-profit organisations within the community. This engagement process seeks to inform the public of this policy proposal and collect feedback from individuals, groups, and organisations for Council to consider before its final adoption.

Before the Council makes a final decision on the Policy, we are asking the community to:

  • Review the draft Active Reserve Hire Policy, Key Documents and Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Contribute feedback by completing the survey below.
  • Provide a written submission or request a 1:1 or group meeting with a City Officer.

City Officers aim to:

  • Keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.
  • Work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are duly noted, provide clarity on questions that may arise.

How can you meet with City Officers to discuss this policy and your feedback?

  • 1:1 or Group Meeting: Would you like to meet 1:1 with City Officers to get clarification on the policy, and how to best submit your feedback? You can request a meeting by emailing communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au. Please note, we'll aim to meet all requests subject to staff availability.

How can you make your submission?
Submissions can be submitted online via the submission form below, or:

A hard copy of the survey can be sent or picked up upon request by emailing the Community Engagement team here: communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

Hard copies of the draft policy are also available at the Walyalup Civic Centre, 51 High Street, Fremantle between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Please note submissions will close on 29 May 2025 at 5pm AWST.

  • Draft Active Sporting Reserve Hire Policy

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    The Active Sporting Reserve Hire Policy aims to provide flexibility and equitable access for sports clubs, schools and community members, allowing for more efficient use of reserves outside traditional timeslots and seasons.

    Read the City's draft Active Sporting Reserve Hire Policy by clicking here.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

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    What is the Active Reserve Hire Policy and why do we need one? How will the adoption of this policy affect local sporting associations, clubs and community organisations? Click through to read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on this project.

    Read the FAQ here.

  • Related: Community Sporting Reserve Plan 2024 - 2034

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    The purpose of the Community Sporting Reserve Plan (CSRP) is to identify current and future facility needs, establish facility priorities and engender an equitable and consistent approach to facility development across the City. The focus of the CSRP Plan is on the provision of facilities in an efficient and effective manner, which meet the general needs of the community, adhere to relevant standards and are functional and flexible to meet the changing needs of the community over time.

    You can read the Community Sporting Reserve Plan 2024-34 here.


  • Related: Our Strategic Community Plan

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    The City's 2024-2034 Strategic Community Plan (SCP) is the City’s most significant guiding document and establishes the community’s long-term aspirations and vision for Fremantle’s future. The Plan drives the City’s planning, budgeting, resource allocation and service delivery over the next decade, and was developed in direct collaboration with people who live, work, and play in Fremantle.

    The draft Active Hire Reserve Policy acknowledges public feedback expressed during the SCP engagement period and aligns with the key SCP focus area: Fremantle as a Liveable City, where "Community-led clubs and groups allow for social inclusion and connection across our neighbourhoods. - Community participation is encouraged through spaces that enable social connection " and Resilient City – "A future-proofed asset base that remains functional and accessible to the community - The City’s facilities are functional and fit for purpose and contribute to improving community well-being"

    Read the Strategic Community Plan here.

Page last updated: 30 Apr 2025, 01:12 PM