Our foreshore, parks and reserves are highly valued by the local community. Woollahra Municipal Council encourages physical activities in our open space to promote health and well-being, and manage them so as to safeguard the enjoyment of our public open spaces by all members of the community.

Commercial Fitness Training Policy

Woollahra Council has adopted a Commercial Fitness Training Activities on Public Open Space Policy (PDF). The Policy is designed to encourage orderly use of parks for fitness training, and minimise adverse impacts on the park users and neighbouring residents.

The Policy requires that commercial fitness trainers apply to Council for permission to use Council managed public open space for their business, subject to adhering to the conditions of use.

Definition of Fitness Training Activities

Personal and group fitness training activities are defined as;

• aerobic activities,
• resistance training (with or without equipment),
• punch pad training (boxing and kick boxing),
• relaxation or lifestyle classes such as yoga or tai chi,
• circuit type classes, or
• any combination of the above.

It does not include ball games or training related to a particular field sport. Use of the fields in these instances, regardless of the size of the group, requires specific sports field hire approval. To apply to use Council managed playing fields please refer to the Sports field hire (PDF) application form.

Note: It is at Council's discretion to ascertain whether intended fitness training activities are classified as group / personal fitness training or organised sports training. In some instances, an application for Sports grounds casual or seasonal hire may be required.

Fees and Application Form

A $252.00 registration fee is applicable for trainers seeking a permit. Permits will be valid for two years, but may be withdrawn if conditions are not complied with.

If you are interested in using Woollahra's parks and sports fields for commercial fitness training activities, please complete the Commercial Personal and Group Fitness Training Park Use (PDF) form, agree to the conditions of hire (PDF) and return the completed form to Council with a copy of your Certificate of Currency showing Public Liability Insurance to the value of $10,000,000.

Procedure for obtaining a permit

1. Trainers are to submit an application form (attached), seeking approval to use Council managed public open space for their business.
2. Applicants must hold Public Liability Insurance for the duration of the license agreement or hire / registration period. The Certificate of Currency shall be attached to the submitted application form.
3. The applicant will be contacted by Council and request to make payment of the registration fee. Following receipt of payment a permit will be issued including a registration card, which is to be carried at all times whilst training and must be presented on-site upon request by Council’s Regulatory Staff / Council officer.
4. Prior to the end of the permit period a notice will be sent to the trainer, who may make an application to renew the permit for a further period.

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