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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 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
The Copyright Tribunal has awarded the PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) a huge increase in fees payable by fitness facilities for playing original artist music in group exercise classes.
The new fee structure dictates that fitness facilities must now pay either $15 per class flat fee, or $1 per class attendee. Currently, gyms pay 96.8 cents per class, with the annual maximum fee capped at $2,654. The increase in fees payable means that an average sized fitness facility with around 30 classes per week will now have to pay approximately $23,400 per year in fees if it continues to use original artist music. This is a 1,500 per cent increase on the average amount currently paid annually.
The PPCA has advised that the new scheme will apply from 1 November 2010, with a phased implementation. As such, the current scheme still applies (96.8 cents per class, with the annual maximum fee cap), and PPCA have guaranteed that the new scheme will not be applied retrospectively. Licence holders will be given a minimum of four weeks notification before the commencement of the new scheme.
Fitness Australia has advised that they will be appealing the Copyright Tribunal's decision and WALGA will provide further information to Councils when available.
- Infopage: Fitness Class Licence Scheme 18 May 2010
- Fitness Australia - Information Sheet: Music Copyright & Tribunal Decision June 2010
Personal Trainers
In recent months, there has been increased attention in the media regarding Councils charging personal trainers for the use of public open space. WALGA is currently seeking feedback from Local Governments in order to establish an accurate picture from the sector. Please provide feedback by Friday, 3 Sptember 2010.