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Sport & Recreation
WALGA has a Recreation and Leisure Technical Reference Group who meet bimonthly to discuss current trends and issues. The Association works in partnership with the Premier's Physical Activity Taskforce on the Local Activity Grants.
Local Government Active Advisory Panel
It is recognised that there is significant overlap of current areas of focus and representation on a number of working groups throughout WA. The Local Government Active Advisory Panel (LGAAP) sees the amalgamation of the Physical Activity Taskforce Local Government Working Group, the WALGA Recreation and Leisure Technical Reference Group and Department of Sport and Recreation project groups to facilitate greater collaboration and to better place Local Government and State Government to respond to issues that impact on sport, recreation and physical activity. The strategic advisory panel will provide improved focus and responsiveness to sector-wide issues which have been identified by the existing groups.
Music Tariffs
WALGA is currently working with the Department of Sport & Recreation (DSR) and Fitness Australia to advocate against proposed increases to copyright licence fees by the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) for the use of music in fitness, leisure and recreation facilities. The Copyright Tribunal heard its final day of evidence on Friday, 17 April in relation to the PPCA proposal. Closing submissions are now to be presented by each party and will be presented orally to the Tribunal over three days in the week beginning 29 June 2009. A determination will be made by the Tribunal on the licence scheme and tariff rate some time after that date.
Before the hearing adjourned on Friday, Justice Driver shared some preliminary thoughts regarding the licence scheme presented by the PPCA ($4.54 per member per month and $0.99 per casual visit), stating that "at this stage the Tribunal is not convinced that this is the most appropriate course."
Justice Driver also indicated that the Tribunal will consider a variation to the scheme and that they will be considering whether any different arrangements should be made as between a class where music is an essential component, because of rhythm and tempo issues, and a class where music is optional because it only provides ambient qualities, such as stretching classes.
WALGA is in the process of seeking legal advice on the matter.