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Using Parks & Reserves
Council has developed guidelines for residents and community groups wishing to use Council's parks and reserves. Fill in the following application form and read the guidelines below: 
Application for use of Open Space-Parks-Sportsfields-Ovals 2011.pdf (26.56kB) .
Use of Parks, Reserves and Sportsfields by Personal Trainers
Council has developed guidelines for the use of parks, reserves and sportsfields by personal trainers. The guidelines will assist with managing issues around open space accessibility, wear and tear and public liability.
Guidelines and application, risk assesment and security bond forms are available for download below.
Application_for_Personal_Trainers.pdf (26.99kB)
Personal Training Guidelines (53.85kB)
Risk_Assessment_Form.pdf (25.89kB)
SECURITY_BOND_FORM.pdf (19.99kB)
High Impact Park Events
A high impact event is defined as having more than 100 people attending and/or any event requiring fixed structures (a fixed structure is a tent, marquee, portable toilets, vehicles, stages, jumping castles etc).
Low Impact Park Events
A low impact event is one where there are fewer than 100 people attending and there are no fixed structures required. There is no exclusive use or booking required; however, attendees must be respectful of other park users. These types of low impact events can be staged in any of the 350 parks and reserves in Whitehorse.
Park Sporting Events
Whitehorse has a large number of sporting ovals and facilities that are seasonally allocated to organised sporting groups and clubs. However, there is also a large demand for parks and reserves to be available for other non-structured sporting activities. These facilities may require a casual booking, depending on the size and likely impact on organised sporting events.
Park Access for Residents Abutting Parks
Where a property abuts a park or reserve, there may be situations when access through the park is permitted in order to access the rear of the property. A park access permit must be obtained from Council's ParksWide Department one week before any vehicle enters a park or reserve.
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance may be required to the value of $10 million depending on the type of event/access required. As a rule of thumb, high impact events or access to these events involving one or more fixed structures (including vehicles) will require public liability insurance. Public liability insurance can be obtained from most insurance companies.
Paying a Bond
The parks and reserves of Whitehorse are community assets. The staging of events and access to parks can lead to damage to these assets.
A bond amount may be payable, depending on the likelihood of damage. Issues that are considered regarding the need for a bond include:
- Number of participants
- Area affected
- Quality of the reserve
- Likely weather conditions when the event/access is to occur
- Duration of the event/access
Usage Fees
A usage fee may be charged for high impact events or if additional services such as additional toilet cleaning, access to water and power, additional rubbish collections are required. This fee will cover:
- Cost to Council to clearly identify sites for fixed structures such as marquees and generators
- The protection of Council assets such as sprinklers and trees
- Costs for ongoing site inspections for events/access that take longer than one week
Commercial Serving of Food in Parks and Reserves
The serving of food on a commercial basis (i.e. if the event organisers are charging for food) requires a temporary food permit. Permits are available from Council's Environmental Health Department on 9262 6333. The serving of alcohol on a commercial basis is not allowed in a park or reserve.
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol can be consumed in a park or reserve provided the alcohol is consumed in moderation by the person/s who brought the alcohol into the park or reserve and in accordance with legal age restrictions and other applicable laws in regard to alcohol.
Alcohol must be consumed responsibly and any unruly behaviour towards other park users will not be tolerated.