Fees waived to support local community groups

Local community groups will receive a boost under an Inner West Council plan to provide charities and not-for-profit organisations free space in Council’s town halls and community centres.

Council’s new fee policy integrates the various fee scales operating under the three former local government areas and provides consistent fees and subsidies for groups hiring Council’s venues.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said Council was committed to supporting not-for-profit and community groups.

“The unelected Council tried to introduce commercial hire fees for the community to use these facilities. But it’s our democratic belief that these places actually belong to the people.

“Not-for-profit groups run off the smell of an oily rag and rely on the goodwill of local volunteers to keep them running.

“Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, play groups, seniors support groups and local youth bands play an important role in our community and we want to ensure that we do everything we can to assist them with their fantastic work,” said Mayor Byrne.

“This goodwill gesture from Council will take a little bit of pressure off the very groups that do so much to build a sense of community in the Inner West.”

Three categories of fee subsidy have been established based largely on the type of organisation and the nature and affordability of the activity for local residents.

Groups will be eligible for full, half or no subsidy depending on whether they meet eligibility criteria.

“More than 120 groups regularly hire council venues for their activities and under this new policy 87 of them will now be able to use the venue for free, and another 37 will receive a 50 per cent fee subsidy,” said Mayor Byrne.

The new fee structure will apply to all bookings for Council venues scheduled for use from 1 January, 2019.

For further information, please contact John Roper on 9392 5914.

Fees waived to support local community groups

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