PERSONAL trainers are preparing to have to pay for and book space at parks and reserves as the City of Greater Bendigo looks to regulate the use of public spaces.
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Councillors are expected to vote on a policy around parkland use by July, says Patrick Jess, acting director of community wellbeing.
The council has not ruled out making commercial fitness groups pay to use space – and that’s something some personal trainers are already factoring into their business plans in anticipation.
The council’s focus, Mr Jess says, is on promoting exercise – especially with obesity rates at such high levels – and ensuring public spaces can be used by everyone.
“We certainly encourage the use of open spaces. We do acknowledge that from time to time, there’s conflict between various users,” he said.
“This is about regulating use and making sure space is enjoyed by a variety of people.”
As things stand, groups can use many public spaces for commercial purposes free of charge without booking with or informing the council.
But this also means a group’s right to space is not guaranteed.
In the case of a disagreement over the use of space, a group has no grounds to ask any other members of the public to move on from a location.
However, Mr Jess said the council enjoyed a healthy relationship with many groups and was often aware of their activities across the city.
Paying to use the space
A PERSONAL trainer who operates his business solely outdoors says he is preparing to pay to use parks and reserves once changes take effect.
Step into Life Bendigo head trainer and franchisee Mick Talbot said he was expecting commercial personal trainers would soon have to pay to operate outdoors.
“We’re preparing for that policy,” he said.
But Mr Talbot, whose business makes use of Weeroona Oval and part of the area around Lake Weeroona, said he welcomed regulations, which he believed would provide businesses who operated in public spaces more certainty.
“I think it will be good for the industry. I’m all for some regulation about who’s training where,” he said. “I just think there’s a limited amount of space in Bendigo, as there is everywhere.”
Mr Talbot said he had seen a draft version of the council’s policy, which included a map that in part proposed separate areas for commercial fitness groups and the general public.
“We’re still waiting to see the final proposal.”
Mr Talbot said he expected more emphasis would be placed on fitness groups booking space in advance.
“We think there will be some booking – and that’s fine,” he said.
“To be able to to be safe in the knowledge you can turn up to train and that spot is yours, makes you feel more secure.”
The development of the policy follows public consultations the council held last year. An increase in “boot camp” groups springing up around Bendigo’s parks and reserves in part prompted the consultations.
Patrick Jess, now the council’s acting director of community wellbeing, said at the time it was important to strike a balance between people using spaces informally and more organised groups.
Mr Jess said on Friday said that most groups used public spaces responsibly and the council was seeking to formalise its relationships with them.
Australia had 21,514 fitness instructors at the 2011 census, compared with 7,669 in 1996. The 2016 census is expected to deliver a significantly higher figure again.
