Bayside community groups that regularly use council-managed halls and meeting spaces have until 29 October 2026 to comment on proposed changes to how those venues are allocated.
Bayside Council has placed a draft Community Venues Annual Allocation Policy and accompanying Procedures on public exhibition. The proposal focuses on organisations seeking ongoing or regular venue hire, rather than a one-off booking.
What would change?
Under the draft approach, Council would use clearer assessment criteria when considering applications for community venue use. An Expression of Interest (EOI) process would cover a two-year venue hire period. Groups that receive financial assistance from Council would also have annual reporting requirements.
These are proposals, not final adopted rules. Council says the aim is to make allocations more fair, transparent and consistent while keeping community spaces available to different groups and organisations.
Who should look at the proposal?
The consultation is particularly relevant to local clubs, associations, cultural organisations and community groups that depend on recurring access to council-managed facilities. A regular venue can be important for planning activities and maintaining continuity for members.
For groups considering an application, the key questions are how the EOI process would work, which assessment criteria Council would use and what reporting may be required if Council provides financial assistance. The detailed draft Policy and Procedures, rather than the short public announcement, are the documents to review for those answers.
How to have your say
Feedback is open until Thursday 29 October 2026. Council has published both draft documents and an online feedback form on its Have Your Say Bayside consultation page.
The consultation was open from 1 October and closes on 29 October. Council says submissions will be reviewed before the final decision or outcome, and its project page will be updated as the process progresses.
Anyone preparing feedback can explain how their group currently uses a venue, what predictability it needs from regular bookings and any practical concerns about a two-year EOI or annual reporting. These are suggested considerations for submissions, not an official list of Council questions.
Questions about the consultation can be directed to Bayside Council’s Community Engagement Team at haveyoursay@bayside.nsw.gov.au. Groups should submit feedback before the closing date rather than assume there will be another opportunity after the draft is reviewed.