2022-04-19 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                   19 APRIL 2022


funding opportunities for projects and programs which improve facilities and build community
capacity if secure tenure arrangements are not in place.
SLSSC has requested a 10-year lease be issued to PBSLSC and have identified security of tenure
as essential to attracting and retaining members and evidence of commitment to the task of forming
a new club. The July 2019 report to Council (S&O Committee, Item 3, Page 20) recommended a
long-term lease be negotiated with a new surf entity and the SLSSC tenure request is consistent
with this recommendation.
The proposed 10-year lease term is in accordance with Council’s Community Purpose Land and
Infrastructure Tenure Policy and the new club will be charged one unit of rent (currently $328) and
be responsible for charges in relation to the tenured area, e.g. utility charges, telephone etc.
7.    Infrastructure, Renewal and Operational Expenses
The new club may require Council support with major infrastructure, renewal and operational
expenses particularly in the first three years of operation. Opportunities for ratepayer financial
support will be by application through its community grants program and building maintenance will
be at Council’s discretion subject to its independent assessment and asset maintenance planning.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has established an infrastructure fund to be
jointly managed by SLSQ for the purpose of upgrading lifesaving capability and capacity across
Queensland. Surf Lifesaving Queensland (SLSQ) has recently commissioned a review of lifesaving
infrastructure needs across the state and the Peregian surf club building was ranked #3 in that
review and is likely to be considered favourably for future funding.
8.    Community Access
A grant of a lease to a community group entitles that group to exclusive use of the leased area and
quiet enjoyment of that area during the tenure term. Notwithstanding this entitlement, PBSLSC has
no objection to allowing community access to the clubhouse for meetings and gatherings subject
to the type of use proposed, frequency, availability and the proposed use does not compromise
surf lifesaving activities.
9.    Gaming Machines
Council’s July 2019 Ordinary Meeting (OM minutes Item 5, Page 15) resolved to explicitly prohibit
the installation and operation of gambling machines or gambling facility in the future long term
Trustee Lease. SLSSC’s proposal does not support the introduction of gaming machines or a
gambling facility and instead aims to develop sustainable revenue streams to support club
operations which are consistent with community aspirations.
Accordingly, the 10-year lease issued to PBSLSC will expressly prohibit the introduction of gaming
machines or gambling facilities on the club premises.
10.   Local Government Regulation 2012
In accordance with section 236 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council may enter into
a contract to dispose of an interest in a non-valuable asset including the granting of a lease over
land or a building without completing the tender process section 228 prescribes, if a relevant
exception applies. Accordingly, the relevant exception is referenced in Section 236 (1) (b) (ii)
whereby Council is not required to proceed to tender as the lease is to a community organisation.
The requirement of this exception is that a relevant Council resolution is first obtained.
11.   Conclusion
Surf Lifesaving Clubs are part of the fabric of the Australian community and provide significant
contributions to the local community and broad community benefit. SLSSC have worked tirelessly
with the community to form a new surf club through a sustainable growth path.
A 10-year lease will provide PBSLSC with tenure security and the basis to build club operations
and seek available grant opportunities. The proposed approach to incrementally increase
PBSLSC’s beach patrol services with operations funded by modest income streams and Council


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