Community Hall Access to be Reviewed
Monash Bulletin - 4 July 2006
Community Hall Access to be Reviewed
Monash City Council is embarking on a major review of how it allocates public halls to local community groups.
Acting Mayor, Paul Klisaris, said the main goal of the review was to achieve greater fairness in how community groups accessed the19 halls available.
"What we're trying to achieve is a fair go for all community groups who want access to our community halls," he said. "These halls play a crucial role in providing social contact and connectedness for some of our most vulnerable community members and it's important that access is as equitable as possible.
"While I can't pre-empt the outcomes of the review, I can assure community groups that they will continue to have appropriate access to a hall. But at the same time we also believe that through some simple changes, such as the sharing of facilities, that more community groups can have better access," he said.
Cr Klisaris said the current system was a patchwork of historical arrangements with six different management systems.
"We will fully consult all groups as part of the review. We will survey all current users to determine their needs and arrangements. They will also be invited to make verbal submissions.
"A major principle of the review is that senior citizens groups will get highest priority in the allocation of halls, followed by community groups that provide a social support function and have limited other support or ability to raise funds."
Published: 4 July 2006
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