This engagement is now closed.

Thank you to all who participated and provided feedback.

Help us shape the draft Leasing and Licensing policy.

We are developing a holistic Leasing and Licensing policy and would like your feedback.

The policy will enable us to continue provide substantial support for not-for-profit organisations in Darebin. It will provide governance practices to manage lease arrangements on Council-owned assets or buildings in an equitable way.


The draft policy proposes four rental categories (listed below) and offers a range of rental subsidies.

The policy also proposes:

  • for not-for-profit Tenants or Licensees the rent to be set on a peppercorn basis, at $104 per annum (plus GST) incorporating a near full rental subsidy contribution from Council
  • for not-for-profit Tenants or Licensees no change or increase to outgoings, utilities and maintenance obligations on any existing Tenant or Licensees even if a new Lease/Licence agreement or renewal of Lease/Licence agreement occurs
  • for any new not-for-profit Tenants or Licensees the outgoings, utilities and maintenance obligations to be in line with existing Lease/Licence agreement for similar type use
  • for a commercial and government tenant/licensee the rent to be set on a commercial market rent basis as determined by Council’s valuer
  • for any not-for-profit Tenants or Licensees who earn an income from sub-letting/sub-licensing, advertising, room hire, the operation of a bar or restaurant or from a commercial licensing arrangement to be required to share a portion of that revenue with Council (10% or 20% depending on the circumstances as detailed in the draft policy).

The terms and conditions of the finalised policy will only be applied to new or renewed leases or licenses.

The draft policy will not cover:

  • Agreements on sporting pavilions and sporting facilities.
  • Seasonal ground allocations.
  • Ad-hoc or casual hire of halls or rooms.
  • Where Council is a Tenant or Licensee.
  • Some other minor exclusions included in the draft Policy.

What is community influence on this project?

For a full list of negotiables and non-negotiables check the answer to 'What is the level of community influence on this project?' in the FAQs section.

Negotiables

What can be influenced?

  • Classification into Categories

    Subsidies

    Assessment Criteria

    Revenue Generation

    Reporting Requirements

    Maximisation of Utilisation

Non-negotiables

What cannot be influenced?

  • Scope

    Categories

    Items Dictated by Legislation

    Items Guided by Operational Guidelines

Four types of proposed rental categories

  • Category A - Council Services/Community Purpose

    Who: Not-for-profit organisations with no or limited income generating capacity.

    E.g.: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Groups, not-for-profit kindergartens and childcare services, non-income generating neighbourhood houses, community gardens, community housing, scouts and girl guide associations.

    Rent: Full subsidy, nominal rent of $104+GST per annum.

    Outgoings: Most occupiers are currently responsible for most utility costs, cleaning costs.

    New agreements: Aligned with similar type uses.

  • Category B - Community Groups/Council Partnership

    Who: Not-for-profit organisations with income generating capacity.

    E.g.: Community centres

    Rent: Full subsidy, to be charged a nominal rent of $104+GST per annum.

    Outgoings: Responsible for utility and cleaning costs on the same basis as agreed in its previous agreement.

    New agreements: Aligned with similar type uses.


  • Category C - Commercial

    Who: Commercial entities that enter into a lease/licence to occupy Council buildings and facilities.

    E.g.: May include telecommunication facilities, car park agreements, commercial function centres and retail and commercial enterprises.

    Rent: Will be charged a market rent as determined by Council’s external valuers.

    Outgoings: All utilities costs and maintenance costs would be covered by the tenant.

    New agreements: Outlined in the finalised policy and aligned with similar type uses.

  • Category D - Government Agencies

    Who: Government Agencies that enter into a lease/licence agreement to occupy Council buildings and facilities.

    E.g.: No examples of current lessees.

    Rent: Will be charged a market rent as determined by Council’s external valuer.

    Outgoings: All utilities costs and maintenance costs would be covered by the tenant.

    New agreements: Outlined in the finalised policy and aligned with similar type uses.

Privacy information

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