Page 3194 - Week 08 - Thursday, 16 August 2018
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Government—community organisations support
(Question No 1504)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Chief Minister, upon notice, on 8 June 2018:
(1) Do any ACT Government offices make office space, equipment, conference/board rooms or meeting rooms available to members of the public or community organisations outside of working hours; if so, (a) what conditions are imposed on groups using those spaces and (b) what is the average cost per hour for hiring these spaces.
(2) What is the reason for this cost.
(3) Has the Government considered making office space available for free to members of the public and community organisations on the weekend.
(4) What are the impediments to making ACT Government offices better utilised on weekends and after hours by members of the public and community organisations.
Mr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1)
ACT Property Group (ACTPG)
ACTPG have a range of hireable venues available, including Custodianship of approximately 30 Community Halls, ranging from those embedded within community hubs or centres (15 approximately) to standalone facilities. The halls offer substantial space for hirers including kitchen facilities, storage and meeting rooms. Their purpose is to provide the ACT community with hireable space to support the provision of broad based activities that provide social and community benefit. Details on hireable venues can be found at https://apps.treasury.act.gov.au/venues/home. Community Halls are currently being added to the list at the above link. In the meantime hirers can contact the venue hire team on 6213 0700.
Historically, community halls have been offered to the community on a peppercorn licence agreement, many of these arrangements were put in place within the Community Services Directorate (CSD). As a result, low cost Community Halls have been made available for hire across the Canberra community.
(a) Community hirers are required to submit an application for hire, pay a bond and provide a copy of their Public Liability Insurance.
(b) The type of space varies across halls with hire costs generally offered in the range of $15–35 per hour. Discounts are offered for regular/ongoing and ‘block’ bookings for half and whole days.
Community Services Directorate (CSD)
The Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, Level 2, 180 London Circuit, Canberra City, is available to the public and community organisations outside of working hours. This includes use of meeting rooms and the main function room.
(a) The conditions for the use of meeting and function room space outside of regular working hours are the same as those during working hours.
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