Sporting and Community Lease and Licensing Policy

Project Overview

We recognise the significant contribution that sporting clubs, community organisations, volunteers and service providers make to the wellbeing, participation, social connection and quality of life of the Holdfast Bay community. We want to make sure that the way facilities are managed and the fees paid are fair and consistent, so we’ve reviewed how we do that and are keen to know what you think.

We're inviting sporting clubs, community organisations, lease and licence holders, facility users and interested community members to review the draft Sporting and Community Lease and Licence Policy and share feedback.

Your feedback will help us understand what matters most to our community and whether any changes should be made before a final decision is made. If you are interested in Council-owned sporting and community facilities, we'd like to hear your thoughts.

This consultation is open until 5pm Thursday 8 October 2026

Read the draft policy here

Survey

Upload a written submission

If you prefer to upload a written submission, you can do so here. Alternatively, you can upload a submission at the end of the survey.

FAQs

Glossary of terms

Term	Definition
Commercial sub-agreement	A sublease, licence, management agreement or other arrangement under which a third party is permitted to use part of a Council-owned facility occupied by another organisation. Commercial sub-agreements are subject to approval requirements under the proposed Policy.
Community benefit	A positive outcome delivered to residents through activities such as sport and recreation, community services, volunteering, health and wellbeing, education, youth development, social inclusion, arts and culture, environmental initiatives or heritage preservation.
Community benefit measures	Indicators used by Council to understand and assess the value an organisation provides to the community. Examples may include participation levels, volunteer contribution, community access, inclusion programs, governance and community development outcomes.
Community engagement	A planned process that provides stakeholders and community members with opportunities to receive information, provide feedback and contribute perspectives to help inform Council's decision-making.
Community facility	A Council-owned building, reserve, recreation facility, community centre, clubroom, pavilion or other public asset occupied or used by community organisations, sporting clubs or educational providers.
Community land	Land classified as Community Land under the Local Government Act 1999 (SA).
Community land management plan	A management plan adopted by Council for Community Land in accordance with Section 196 of the Local Government Act 1999. A Community Land Management Plan identifies the purpose, use, management objectives and performance targets for Community Land and may specify the nature and extent of any permitted occupation, use, lease, licence or other activity on that land.
Community organisation	An incorporated association, registered charity, not-for-profit organisation, community group or similar entity that: •operates primarily for community benefit •reinvests any surplus into its objectives •does not distribute profits to members •delivers services, programs or activities that contribute to community wellbeing.
Community subsidy	The financial contribution provided by Council when an eligible organisation is charged less than the assessed market rent for occupying a Council-owned facility. The subsidy recognises the community benefit delivered by the organisation.
Consultation	A two-way process where Council seeks feedback from stakeholders to help inform future decisions. Consultation does not mean that all feedback will be adopted, but that it will be considered before a decision is made.
Council	The City of Holdfast Bay.
Council asset	Any land, building, facility, infrastructure or property owned or managed by the City of Holdfast Bay.
Court renewal contribution	An annual contribution towards the future renewal, resurfacing or replacement of tennis courts or other outdoor sporting courts. The proposed Policy introduces a standardised approach to these contributions.
Educational occupier	A school, kindergarten, educational institution or learning provider occupying Council-owned land or facilities under an approved agreement.
Elected member	A person elected to represent the City of Holdfast Bay community as a member of Council.
Equity occupant	An organisation that has made a significant contribution to the establishment, development, improvement or ongoing sustainability of a Council facility through capital investment, fundraising, , asset transfer or other recognised contributions.
Facility renewal contribution	A contribution toward the future replacement or renewal of major facility assets, helping ensure infrastructure remains sustainable and fit for purpose over the long term.
Facility user	A member of a sporting club, community organisation, service provider or member of the public who uses a Council-owned facility.
Holdover lease	A leasing arrangement where an occupier remains in occupation of a facility after the expiry of a formal lease while a new agreement is being negotiated or finalised.
Licence	A legal agreement that grants permission to occupy or use Council land or facilities without granting exclusive possession.
Lease	A legal agreement granting occupation rights over land or facilities for a specified period and subject to agreed conditions.
Maintenance responsibilities	The obligations assigned to Council or an occupier for the upkeep, repair, operation and management of a facility. These responsibilities are defined within occupation agreements and supported by Council policy.
Market rent	The rental value of a property determined in accordance with the methodology outlined in the proposed Policy and generally established through independent valuation advice.
Not-for-Profit Organisation	An organisation that operates primarily for community benefit and does not distribute profits to individuals or members.
Occupation agreement	A lease, licence, permit or other approved agreement granting occupation or use of Council-owned land or facilities.
Peppercorn lease	A lease arrangement under which an organisation pays a nominal rent, often a very small amount, rather than a market-based rental charge. Peppercorn leases are commonly used where an organisation delivers significant community benefit and, in return, may take responsibility for some or all facility maintenance, operational costs or asset management obligations.
Playing field contribution	A contribution paid by an occupier towards the maintenance and operational costs of a Council-owned playing field or oval. Contribution levels may vary depending on the classification and level of use of the facility.
Playing field turf service level standards	Tier 1 (State / Premier): High-quality, heavily utilised community fields used by peak sporting bodies. Maintained for frequent competition use. Supports statewide competition, for example SANFL State League or SACA Premier Cricket. Tier 2 (Local / Club): Standard community-level grounds. These support both match play and localised training, requiring regular mowing, aeration, and moderate fertilizer programs. Supports community competition e.g. Adelaide Football League or Adelaide Turf Cricket Association. Tier 3 (Basic / Open Space): Unlined or lower-quality open reserves meant primarily for unstructured recreation or low-impact sports (like athletics or junior cricket).
Policy	The proposed Sporting and Community Lease and Licence Policy that is the subject of this consultation process.
Ratepayer	A person or organisation that pays rates to the City of Holdfast Bay.
Rental framework	The methodology used by Council to determine rental charges, subsidies and occupation costs for sporting, community and educational facilities. The framework considers market rent, community benefit, eligibility requirements and other factors outlined in the Policy.
Shared use	The principle that Council-owned facilities should be utilised efficiently and, where practical, shared by multiple organisations or community users to maximise community benefit.
Stakeholder	Any person, organisation, group or agency with an interest in, or potentially affected by, the proposed Policy.
Sporting organisation	An incorporated sporting or recreation organisation that: •operates on a not-for-profit basis •provides structured sporting or recreation opportunities •is affiliated with a recognised governing body where appropriate •delivers community sporting outcomes.
Subsidised occupation	A leasing or licensing arrangement where Council charges less than the assessed market rent to recognise community benefit and support eligible organisations.
Synthetic surface contribution	A contribution towards the future renewal and replacement costs of a synthetic sporting surface, such as a hockey pitch. The contribution assists Council in planning for long-term asset renewal.
Transition arrangements	Provisions designed to assist organisations in moving from existing lease and licence arrangements to a revised framework over time. Transition measures help manage the impacts of change and support implementation.
Your Holdfast	The City of Holdfast Bay's online engagement platform used to provide information and collect community feedback.