Sports clubs face new five-year licences for Georges River facilities

Sports clubs and community groups across the Georges River local government area will use new five-year arrangements for council canteens and storage facilities after the Community and Culture Committee unanimously endorsed a management framework on 10 August.

The framework sets five-year non-exclusive licences for canteens, alternating between winter and summer sport seasons. Where operationally feasible, other users will also be able to share canteens during the season or hire them casually, with access aimed at high-demand locations.

Storage facilities will be managed through five-year exclusive licences with year-round access.

Sports amenities, including changerooms, non-public toilets, referee rooms, medical rooms and medical facilities, will be available through regular or casual hire in addition to the seasonal allocation of council sports fields.

The framework is intended to increase shared use and support more equitable access to council sports facilities. Expired canteen, storage and sports amenity agreements will enter an expression-of-interest process, including where no current agreement exists.

Where a proposed licence falls outside the general manager’s delegation, a report will be presented to Council for consideration and approval. The expression-of-interest processes will begin following endorsement of the framework.

The committee also unanimously approved financial and in-kind support for five community events scheduled from 20 September to 25 October 2026. Grants range from $2,449 for the Hurstville Lion Dance Blessing to $18,404 for the Spring Festival.

The Annual Greek Fete will receive $5,359, the Street Sports Georges River Community Festival Series will receive $6,846, and the Hurstville Kung Fu Cultural Festival will receive $5,902. The Street Sports series is scheduled for 30 September, 9 October and 18 December 2026.

The committee also noted updated Event Grant Guidelines for 2026/27, the introduction of grant funding rounds and community capacity-building sessions planned for August 2026.