FAQs

The City of Fremantle is responsible for the management of a diverse range of public open spaces that are available for use for the purpose of sport. The purpose of this policy is to define Council’s position in relation to the use and objectives of these active sport spaces, which will then provide the basis for a consistent approach in their management and use.

The Active Reserve Hire Policy is a key component of the City’s broader Public Open Space Strategy and Strategic Community Plan. It provides a structured, inclusive, and sustainable approach to managing City-owned or managed sporting reserves.

Currently, sporting clubs typically apply for seasonal hire, which is manually processed. This system limits flexibility and does not accurately reflect actual usage. Some sporting reserves in the policy are leased by local Fremantle clubs. In developing the policy, the long-term use and commitment of these clubs has been considered, ensuring priority booking for those with current tenure agreements.

The Active 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.

This policy applies to all groups and individuals wishing to access a City of Fremantle owned and/or managed active sporting reserves.

These include: 

Active Reserve Locations within the City

Bruce Lee Oval, Beaconsfield

Dick Lawrence Oval, Beaconsfield

Fremantle Oval, Fremantle

Fremantle Park, Fremantle

Frank Gibson Park, Fremantle

Gilbert Fraser Oval, North Fremantle

Horrie Long Reserve, Fremantle

Hilton Park Upper, Beaconsfield

Ken Allen Field, Beaconsfield

Stevens Reserve, Fremantle

Wilson Park, South Fremantle

City officers engaged with both internal and external stakeholders to gather insights and feedback during the development of the Active Sporting Reserve Hire Policy in 2024. Consultation included key City team members, leadership, and current reserve hirers, ensuring the policy reflects a broad range of perspectives and aligns with the City’s strategic objectives. Feedback from community sporting groups was largely supportive. 

However, two clubs expressed concerns about other groups gaining access to reserves they currently use. To address this, the policy explicitly states in Section 5 (pg. 3) that community groups or organisations holding tenure agreements on facilities adjoining an active sporting reserve will have priority access when securing bookings. At the start of each season (Summer and Winter), other users may book the reserve only after the seasonal needs of host sporting groups are confirmed.

Fees and Charges

The new policy will result in small to moderate increases in fees for some existing facility users. In some cases where current users pay zero fees there will be a moderate increase and, some stay the same. - For some clubs, the new policy will bring more equitable access to facilities, particularly if they have faced challenges competing for timeslots. The focus on inclusive and sustainable use of active reserves can provide smaller clubs and groups with fairer opportunities.

The table below shows a sample of the City of Fremantle Active Sporting Reserve Hire fees and charges that are proposed for consideration as part of the 2025/26 fees and charges schedule. 

These proposed fees and charges are lower than the Parks and Leisure Australia WA fees drawn from 14 local governments that we benchmarked our proposed fees against. Details of how our proposed charges were arrived at can be found in the Active Reserve Hire Policy item in the Ordinary Meeting of Council Agenda 23 April 2025.

Fee Categories:

Community Weekly Day Rate – The rate which applies between the hours of 6:00am and 6:00pm by a community hirer.

Community Weekly Night Rate – The rate which applies between the hours of 6:00pm and 10:00pm by a community hirer.

Community Weekend Day Rate – The rate which applies between the hours of 7:00am and 1:00pm by a community hirer.

Community Weekend Night Rate – The rate which applies between the hours of 1:00pm and 10:00pm by a community hirer.

Commercial Day Rate – The rate which applies between 6:00am and 6:00pm by a commercial hirer. 

Commercial Night Rate – The rate which applies between 6:00pm and 10:00pm by a commercial hirer.

Sample Fees and Charges 2025

Current "per team" reserve and pre-season fees require difficult early-season predictions from club volunteers. The new hourly system allows clubs to directly manage their space needs. Club sizes vary widely (small: under 100 members; large: over 500 members). While larger clubs impact reserves more, they also generate more membership income. 

The Active Reserve Hire Policy aligns space requirements with costs, moving away from problematic membership-based pricing that creates reporting barriers. The City anticipates minimal fee increases for active reserve users.