Community Leases Policy Review

A Community Leases Policy is a document that governs how the Shire leases its buildings and or land to community groups.  The policy ensures a consistent approach is applied to the various building/land occupants for the benefit of our community.

The Shire owns and manages a range of buildings and Crown Land and must manage these in accordance with the Local Government Act 1995 which requires that all building/land occupants are under a valid occupancy agreement (e.g. a lease, licence, management or hire agreement).

Please note that the Community Leases Policy does not cover facility hire which is provided through a casual or regular booking application. Please visit the Shire's website “Venues and Facilities for Hire” for more details about hiring facilities.

Community leases provided by the Shire are varied and include the following: community gardens, a range of sportsgrounds and clubhouses, arts and crafts associations, Menshed, Mundaring Arts Centre, Darlington Theatre Players (Marloo Theatre) and Katharine Susannah Prichard writers’ Centre, Mundaring and Hills Historical Society and Museum, childcares, playgroups and kindergartens as well as various community support groups and services.

In total, we currently have over 48 community leases with community groups and organisations.

The Shire’s current “Community Leases Policy” was adopted in 2019. Community lessee’s groups were categorised as a ‘Peppercorn rent’, ‘Community rent’ or ‘Market rent’ and in return had use of the building and responsibility for costs associated with the building including outgoings, insurance premium and excess and day to day repairs and maintenance.

A review of current community leases has shown inconsistencies across existing leases and many legacy arrangements or historical agreements pre-dating the 2019 policy still in place. 

Policies can be viewed on the Shire’s website, under the following tabs: Council /Documents and Forms/Policies/Council Policies.

Alternatively you can copy the address below in your browser: https://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/documents/232/community-leases-policy-(or-24) 

Nothing will change during the consultation period. The feedback received during the consultation period will be reviewed and a report including submissions will be presented to Council, who will decide on the final policy. Once a new Community Leases policy is endorsed by Council, all current lessees will be notified of the timeline for tenancy review.

The Shire welcomes your comments and invites written submissions. The easiest way to give your feedback is using the online survey available on the Shire’s engagement platform ‘Engage Mundaring’ under the Community Leases project: Community Leases Policy Survey

Alternatively, you can download and complete the pdf editable survey on the Shire’s website and ‘Engage Mundaring’ and submit by email to shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au.

Copies of the draft policy documents, FAQs document and survey are also available:

• From Shire of Mundaring Administration Centre, 7000 Great Eastern Highway, Mundaring, Monday to Friday 9am - 4:30pm
• From Shire Libraries located at Mundaring and Boya, during normal opening hours

If you have completed a hard copy version of the survey you can deposit it or post it to Shire of Mundaring, 7000 Great Eastern Highway, Mundaring WA 6073.

Public submissions close: Thursday 6 September 2023 at 4pm.

The submissions received during the consultation period will be reviewed and officers will develop a recommendation for Council.

A report including submissions will be presented to Council, who will decide whether to amend or endorse the draft Community Leases Policy.

Please note: your name and address will not be included in any public council meeting documents. Your initials and any comments/feedback may be referred to Council. This means your input may appear in the meeting documents on the Shire’s website.