Thank you for booking a City of Sydney community venue. The City aims to provide the local community with a variety of venues that are well maintained and accessible.
We ask that you read and understand the following conditions of hire to ensure your use of our community venues runs smoothly, is safe and complies with the City's regulations.
The City retains the right to cancel or relocate bookings at any time if facilities are required for the purpose of the City. In these instances, venue staff will endeavour to provide the affected parties with due notice and offer an alternative venue where possible. In the event that the City is unable to offer a suitable alternative, all monies paid in respect of the cancelled function will be returned to the Hirer.
The Council is not liable to the Hirer for any loss or damage suffered by the Hirer as a result of such cancellation.
The Council reviews all fees and charges at the beginning of each financial year. If such review occurs during the term of this agreement, the City may increase the fees and charges payable by the Hirer to reflect the rate applicable at the time of the function.
The schedule of fees includes reduced rates for self-help groups and not-for-profit organisations. Groups wishing to apply for further reductions must apply to the Director of City Life with a fee exemption/reduction application when the booking is made.
Payment for all hire fees and applicable security deposits must be received prior to the event date. Hirers will be required to produce proof of payment at the time of key collection. If fees are not paid, the City will cancel the booking.
Security/cleaning bond – the City reserves the right to ask for and retain a bond to cover any expenses arising from the Hirer's use of the venue, for example, if the venue is damaged as a result of the Hirer's use. This bond will be refunded after the event(s).
Key deposit – will be required on exchange of venue keys and security code. The deposit will only be returned to the Hirer on the safe return of the key.
Unauthorised use of additional spaces within the venue.
These extra charges may be deducted from the bond.
GST is included in the hourly rates and is to be paid by the Hirer. No GST is payable on the security and key deposits although reparations against the security deposit will be liable to GST. Costs plus GST will be taken into account in calculating any refund due to the Hirer.
Interest – the City reserves the right to charge interest, at a rate of 10 per cent per annum, on all monies outstanding to the City for any period in excess of 30 days of the payment due date.
2. All cancellations are to be confirmed in writing by the Hirer within 7 days of such cancellation.
Public liability insurance (PLI) – The City shall be indemnified against any claims for injury to persons or damage to property arising out of this hiring and such indemnity shall be expressed in the form of a public risk insurance policy in the minimum amount of $10,000,000 for any individual claim which may be made. Such a policy must have a principal and cross liability clause and name the Council of the City of Sydney as principal and be issued by an insurer acceptable to the City.
A certificate of currency must be submitted to the City at the time the booking deposit is made. The City reserves the right to cancel a booking if the Hirer fails to comply with the public liability insurance clause above.
Individuals and small community groups unable to secure liability cover may apply to the City for cover under the City's Hirer's liability policy. A fee for this cover will apply if the application is accepted.
It is the Hirer's responsibility to make arrangements for the safe pick-up and return of the keys. Keys and alarm codes will be made available 1 working day prior to the booked date and must be returned the next working day thereafter.
Access to the venue is strictly limited to the booked hours. To enter the building outside of these hours may trip venue alarms. The City reserves the right to charge the Hirer for costs incurred by any security call-out plus a penalty fee.
The City reserves the right to control the venue including all means of entry and exit, and over the timing of opening and closing the doors and admission of the public (including the right to refuse admission to any person or persons).
The Hirer, or the Hirer's representative, must be in attendance before the advertised event starting time.
Lost property – Hirers are not to enter the venue to collect (lost) property after the hire period. Any property found in the City's community venues will be registered and retained by the Community Venues Unit until claimed by the owner upon satisfactory proof of ownership.
City community venues are not available for dance parties or coming of age celebrations.
The issue of all tickets of admission relating to a performance or use covered by this hiring agreement shall be subject to the approval of the Director of City Life.
Additional facilities, equipment and services – The City may allow the Hirer use of additional facilities, equipment and services for a fee as agreed by the Director of City Life. Venue managers will demonstrate the safe use of all equipment and facilities prior to use. It is the Hirer's responsibility to ensure these instructions are adhered to.
Additions or alterations – The Hirer will not make any addition or alterations to the structure, facilities, goods, equipment or decoration of City venues, unless approved by the venue manager in writing.
The premises are only to be used for the purposes described in the Hiring agreement issued by the City in respect of the booking made.
Presentation standards – the City retains the right to request the Hirer to remove any material which is considered by the City to be detrimental to its venue presentation standards.
It is the Hirer's responsibility to leave all hired areas included in this agreement in a clean and tidy condition, removing all personal property, all decorations and refuse of any kind, disposing of refuse in the rubbish bins provided, wiping down all benches and sinks, and sweeping floors if required to return the premises to a clean condition.
Music sound levels must not cause annoyance to occupants of neighbouring properties. Any breach of noise regulations may result in the City taking action under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
Any request from the venue manager or nominated City officer to reduce sound levels shall be complied with immediately.
All music is to cease at least 30 minutes prior to the expiration of the hiring period.
Smoking is not permitted on all City of Sydney premises.
If alcohol is to be consumed in the venue the Hirer must obtain the City's consent to confirm the booking.
Alcohol can only be sold if the Hirer obtains the relevant approvals and permits from Liquor & Gaming NSW and the local police. Copies of relevant approvals must be provided to the City at least 14 days prior to the event. No kegs or similar bulk containers are permitted and liquor sales must cease 30 minutes prior to the nominated closing time.
The sale, supply and or consumption of alcohol in the City's facilities to minors is prohibited and will result in police action.
A risk assessment will be carried out by venue management to determine whether security is required for the event and will be advised in writing if deemed necessary (usually 2 guards per 100 guests).
The employment of security personnel is at the Hirer's expense and will be arranged by the City.
In addition the Hirer may be required to contact the local police for a "No Regrets Safe Party Pak", which includes a police registration form.
Hirers are to observe the provisions of the Copyright Act and to indemnify the City and free it of any obligation in respect to this act.
The Hirer will indemnify and keep the City indemnified for and against all damages, action, suits, claims, costs and demands, which may be made or recovered against the City by any person whatsoever in respect of any loss, injury (including death) or damage sustained whilst in or upon the City's premises except to the extent that such loss, injury or damage is caused by the negligence of the City, its servants and agents.
The Hirer shall pay all costs resulting from such activities as determined by the Chief Executive Officer, and shall include in any television, video, film, broadcast or sound recording such material and information as may be required by the Chief Executive Officer.
No advertising of any description or kind will be permitted on any section or part of the Hall or the grounds, unless authorised by the venue manager.
The Community Venues Unit will ensure you are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures.
Community venues are not equipped with emergency first aid kits. It is the responsibility of the Hirer to have first aid supplies available at all times.
Use of dangerous goods – The Hirer will not bring or permit any flame, candle, explosive, fuel, ammunition, pyrotechnic, firearm or flammable liquid or substance, or any dangerous weapon to be brought into, or used in a community venue except with the express written consent of the Director of City Life.
Most of the City's venues do not have on-site parking for hirers. Please advise guests that parking restrictions apply in the surrounding streets and where possible encourage the use of public transport.
Hirer's employees and agents – all persons engaged or employed by the Hirer in connection with the venue shall comply with the provisions of this agreement, and the Hirer agrees to accept responsibility for any failure on the part of his agents, employees, contractors, guests and invitees to observe and comply with these provisions.
All hirers, their agents, employees and contractors must comply with the City's WHS policy while on the City's premises. A copy of the HS policy is available to download. A copy can also be provided by the Community Venues Unit.
Prohibition of assignment – The Hirer shall not transfer, assign, sub-let or sub-hire his rights under this agreement. To do so will render the booking cancelled and full cancellation fees will apply.
Serving of notices – Any notice will be given to the parties at the address set out on the hiring agreement. A notice sent by post will be deemed to be given or served at the time when it ought to have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.
Dispute – Any dispute arising between the Hirer and any employee of the City shall be referred to the Chief Executive Officer whose decision on the matter shall be final and conclusive.
Most City venues do not have caretakers. For security and maintenance issues, contact the City's after hours emergency number 02 9265 9333.