Booking Application Wedding Ceremony on a Public Reserve

Local Government Act 1993

Application for the hire of the reserve must be made through the Booking Officer, on an agreement form and shall be accompanied by the bond.  The Booking Officer has the authority to approve all applications for hiring made in accordance with the rules.  However, contentious applications for hiring may be referred to Council for its determination.

Any special/particular requirements should be discussed with the Booking Officer at the time of booking to establish what facilities and/or equipment are needed and the actual period of hire. 

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HIRER

The hirer is responsible for the payment of the hiring fee and bond in advance.  The conduct of the function/activity and shall ensure the reserve is reinstated to its condition as at the time of hiring.  The hirer is responsible for the payment of any damage sustained or loss of Council property and/or furniture, fittings and equipment during the period of hire.

 BONDS

The bond is payable in advance, at the time of booking the reserve.  The booking officer will advise the bond fee on application.  A refund of the bond will not be forwarded until the Booking Officer has attended at the reserve and carried out an inspection of the reserve.  Where the reserve has been left untidy or the reserve has been damaged, the Booking Officer will contact the hirer and make arrangements for cleaning/repairs to be carried out.  Any cost incurred by the Booking Officer will be deducted from the bond monies.  The hirer is responsible for any additional cleaning costs necessary to reinstate the reserve to its condition prior to the hiring and for any costs/fees incurred for the repair or replacement or any loss or damage to Council property, furniture, fittings and equipment.

Where the inspection of the reserve proves satisfactory, a cheque for the refund of the bond monies will be forwarded to the hirer within ten (10) working days from the inspection date.

HIRE PERIOD

The booking shall commence and finish at the times stated on the agreement form.   Any additional time required for the delivery or removal of equipment, setting up or cleaning of the reserve must be completed within the hire period.

 CANCELLATIONS

Should you decide not to use the reserve for your event, you must advise the Booking Officer at least one (1) month prior to the booked event date otherwise you will be responsible for full payment.  Where payment for the event has been made prior to cancellation, a cheque in refund of the fees and bond will be forwarded by post within fourteen (14) working days from the date of cancellation.

 COLLECTION/RETURN OF KEYS

No Vehicle Access is allowed on a Public Reserve without permission from Council’s Parks Officer.  KEYS for this venue are to be obtained from Nowra Council Offices (4429 3488) - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.  The is a key to a valuable community asset - it is your responsibility to ensure that it is returned promptly to the Booking Officer at Council’s City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra.  Fees will apply if this key is lost or not returned for any reason.

Unauthorised copying of keys is a criminal offence.

 GENERAL

 1.       You/your organisation must accept responsibility for any claim, which arises regarding damage or accidents, which may occur during your occupation of the reserve and are liable for restoration of any damage resulting from these activities.  The cost of any breakages or damage will be deducted from the bond.
 2.       The reserve shall be left clean, tidy and free of rubbish at the completion of the hire period. 
3.       Interference with the electrical wiring, switchboard or sound equipment at the reserve, or any alteration to Council’s property whatsoever without written approval shall result in the forfeiture of the bond and the hirer shall be liable to prosecution.  The use of double adaptors is not permitted at any Council reserve. All electrical appliances must be tagged prior to use at the building.

4.       All activities and vacation of the facility must occur by midnight. 

5.       Your activities must be carried out in a manner, which does not to cause “OFFENSIVE NOISE” as defined in the Noise Control Act, 1975.  Mechanical equipment must not be used between the hours of 8.00pm to 7.00am weekdays or 8.00pm to 8.00am on weekends and public holidays.  Musical instruments and sound equipment must not be used between the hours of 12 midnight to 8.00am every day, in accordance with the Noise Control (Miscellaneous Articles) Regulation, 1995.

 6.       The sale of alcohol in the reserve is prohibited except with the written permission of the police (in the form of a liquor licence or permit to sell alcohol).  Should you require the sale of alcohol, you must contact the Licensing Officer at the Nowra Police Station on 4421 09697.  The licence/permit must be sighted by the Booking Officer before the booking is accepted.  No alcohol is permitted on alcohol prohibited reserves.

The police must also be advised of any evening/night function (excluding meetings) being held at the reserve.  A Safe Party form (available from local police stations) must be completed by the hirer and given to the Booking Officer at the time of booking the reserve.

 7.       The permit and the use of the reserve is subject to compliance with any direction given by any authorised officer of Shoalhaven City Council or Police Officer in the course of his duty.  Please ensure that you have this permit with you at the reserve.

 8.       The hire of the reserve must be in accordance with all regulations, laws and zoning of the reserve.

 9.       Any requirements of the Charitable Fundraising Act, 1991 should also be observed and enquiries in this regard can be directed to the Department of Gaming & Racing in Sydney on Ph 9995 0300.

 10.   Wilful damage is an offence and will be dealt with by the Police.  Accidental damage or breakage must be reported on return of the reserve key or by contacting the booking officer as soon as practical.  If not reported, the damage will be deemed as wilful and will be dealt with accordingly.

 11.   The Booking Officer and Council reserve the right to cancel this booking immediately, should such action be considered necessary.

12.   This approval does not include the exclusive use of the remainder of the Public Reserve by you/your organisation.  Minimum inconvenience shall be caused to local residents and to other persons wishing to use the Public Reserve.  The rights of the general public to use and have free and unrestricted access to the Public Reserve must be respected.

13.   Council may have underground services, eg, electricity and water mains, located within the bounds of this reserve.  Stakes, star pickets, pegs, etc, are not to be driven without first consulting with Council for location of services within the reserve (Electricity - 4429 3233 // Water - 0412 125 964).  Failure to observe this requirement may be DANGEROUS and may result in inconvenience to your event as well as the responsibility for the cost of repairs to damage.

14.   Consumption of alcoholic liquor in the facility/outdoor reserve and the taking of alcoholic liquor onto the premises/ outdoor reserve is permitted, provided you have obtained written permission for your event from Shoalhaven City Council (in the form of this Confirmation of Booking on Council’s letterhead).  It is your responsibility to show this Confirmation of Booking to the Nowra or Ulladulla Police with adequate notice prior to the event.  Any liquor licence or other documentation provided to you by the Police should be retained, must be at the area being used and must be produced on demand.  A number of Alcohol Free Zones are in force throughout the City and you are expected to abide by the directions given on any relevant signage in these locations.

15.   Any fire restrictions that are in force during this period are to be adhered to.  No fires are to be lit except in properly constructed fireplaces/ barbecues.  No trees are to be cut or lopped, and no mowing of grass or disturbance of any other vegetation is permitted under any circumstances.

16.   Vehicular access to the Reserve is restricted to the time required to load and unload passengers or materials.  No vehicle shall remain on the reserve except for this purpose.  Vehicles are to be parked in designated parking areas only.

17.   If you wish to erect a small marquee(s) for your event, please provide details of same to Council's Parks Coordinator on 4429 3488.  No structure is to be erected on the Public Reserve without the express permission of Council.

 18.  For an incorporated body, sporting club or association of any kind to hire a reserve, it will be necessary to provide to the Booking Officer a copy of your current Public Liability Insurance Policy or Certificate of Currency.  The policy must provide coverage of a minimum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) and must have Council’s interest noted by an approved APRA insurer.

 19.  For any person to hire the reserve for more than a total of ten (10) days over any twelve (12) month period you must provide to the Booking Officer a copy of your current Public Liability Insurance Policy or Certificate of Currency.  The policy must provide coverage of minimum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) and must have Council’s interest noted by an approved APRA insurer.

 20.  All other hirers (not noted in point 18 & 19) are covered under Council’s Public Liability Insurance Policy. 

 If you would like council staff to clarify any of these terms and conditions please comment below

Your application will be processed by council staff. 
Please await confirmation of your application prior to advertising or sending out invitations
Payment of fees & bond must be paid a minimum of 7 days prior to your event.  If your booking is within 10 days of time of submitting this application please call the Community Facilities Officer on 4429 3463.