Hume currently has 77 outdoor and 60 indoor sports clubs and associations. A review of their lease and licence agreements has revealed that inconsistencies exist. Council is taking this opportunity to create consistent, fair and equitable access to our facilities by developing a Sport Facility Lease and Licence Framework.

Framework aims

The Framework will:

  • Support fair and transparent access to sports facilities
  • Help clubs grow and thrive while promoting inclusion, participation, and good governance
  • Ensure facilities are used in ways that bring the most benefit to the community
  • Align with Hume’s goals for equity, sustainability, and community wellbeing

The Sports Facility Lease and Licence Framework will make it easier to understand how Council-owned sports facilities are shared and managed. It will use clear and fair rules so these spaces are used in the best way possible to meet the needs of our growing and diverse community. It will ensure fees meet equity objectives.

Framework principles

The Framework is underpinned by eight draft principles that define the desired community outcomes and guide good practice in facility management.

  • 1. Equity and transparency

    • access to sports facilities is fair, inclusive, and transparent
    • leasing and licensing processes are clear, streamlined, and easy to navigate

  • 2. Maximising community benefit and participation

    • Council will prioritise the use of facilities that delivers the most value to the wider Hume community

  • 3. Strong partnerships and capacity building

    • Council recognises the vital contribution of sports clubs and community groups and will work in partnership to build their capacity, capability and support good governance

  • 4. Standardisation and quality of service

    • implementing standard user agreement (lease and licence) provisions that align with levels of service, facility type, user contributions and responsibilities
    • Council will manage facilities in a financially responsible way, ensuring affordability for users while reducing reliance on subsidies

  • 5. Shared use and multi-use environments

    • actively encouraging multi-use and shared use of facilities

  • 6. Compliance, accountability and sustainability

    • all user groups must meet their obligations and operate in accordance with good governance, safety, and financial responsibility
    • facilities will be managed in a sustainable way, ensuring they are fit-for- purpose, well maintained and available for future generations

  • 7. Financial responsibility and value

    • Council will manage facilities in a financially responsible way, ensuring affordability for users while reducing reliance on subsidies

  • 8. Innovation and continuous improvement

    • Council will embrace innovation and support flexible approaches to the use and management of sports and community facilities to meet emerging trends and future needs
    • Council will regularly review and improve the Framework

How we got here

With more people living in Hume and interest in sport growing, Council wants to make sure these facilities are used fairly, efficiently, and in a way that benefits the whole community.

We did lots of background research. We analysed current and emerging trends, benchmarked against other councils and asked sports clubs and tenants who operate sport facilities and sporting grounds about their experiences and concerns.

We gathered these insights and used them to inform the development of the draft Framework.

What will change

To ensure a balance between protecting Council assets while supporting the long-term success of local clubs with equity and community benefit at the heart of it the Framework introduces:

  • a guiding principles based approach to leases and licences
  • clear and consistent agreements
  • clear and robust processes
  • a consistent, equitable, and sustainable approach to facility access and management
  • an incentivised fee structure which provides subsidies to facility users who demonstrate strong governance and inclusive practices
  • a consistent framework for evaluating tenant and user performance

Ways to give feedback

Use the form below or another method to let us know what works well, what could be better, what is missing or any other ideas. Consultation closes on Sunday 15 February 2026:

in the form below
email the Active Living team
post to Active Living, Hume City Council, PO Box 119. Dallas, VIC 3047