A fitness group training at Lake Weeroona has queried the City of Greater Bendigo’s rationale in choosing their new location. 

Sophie Hawken of 3T Fitness Bendigo said she lost 18 clients within a week of a boot camp being shifted from the grassy flats on the Napier Street side to the opposite side of the lake. 

She said clients with injuries found the terrain difficult, while those who used to bring their children to class feared for their safety because of poor night lighting, and steep slopes leading to a body of water.

As per its Commercial Fitness Operator Policy, council has permitted the group to use the Bendigo Creek side of the lake, including the concrete creek corridor. 

The policy came into effect on September 1 and is subject to a six-month trial.  

Ms Hawken said she contacted council with her concerns when the policy was being drafted, but received no response. Her attempts to query the new permit location have also been unsuccessful.

“How can they not reply?” she said. 

Hannah Garth, who has been attending a 3T Fitness boot camp for almost two years, invited council to attend a session “to see for yourself how inadequate the allocated space is.”

“We were stationed on a decline that led straight into an open body of water - I'm not sure how this is considered a ‘safe’ area,” she said.

“On top of that, with 20 attendees, the area was far too small; stationed in-between the un-fenced lake and the footpath, whilst attempting to stay out of the way of those passing by.”

She questioned whether the area had direct access for emergency services.

“Outdoor fitness has drastically improved my mental health, and I have these groups and the council to thank for allowing me to partake,” Ms Garth said.

“I would like to continue to maintain my physical and mental wellbeing, and hope that all concerns can be addressed and taken into consideration for future changes required.”

City of Greater Bendigo Acting Manager Active and Health Communities Lincoln Fitzgerald said the creek side of the lake, right down to the concrete creek corridor, was zoned for commercial fitness operators because it was underutilised. 

He said park users had complained about fitness groups using the other side of the lake.

“It also helps spread out the wear and tear to the park so that it isn’t concentrated in just one spot,” Mr Fitzgerald said. 

“To date, we have had only seven businesses submit applications for use of our parks, gardens and sporting reserves to carry out their classes.

“Due to this low number, each of the businesses has been able to book their preferred location, dates and times.

“Businesses can change their days, times or locations by contacting us.”

He said council was accepting feedback from businesses, members of the public and other users of the facilities during the trial period, which would be taken into consideration during a review. 

“Most feedback we have received has been positive,” Mr Fitzgerald said. 

“Our parks and gardens regularly host a variety of small, medium and large scale events in a safe manner and we don’t believe that there should be any concern about access for emergency services.”

A Bendigo gym owner has defended the City of Greater Bendigo’s policy for outdoor fitness groups.

It’s Her Gym owner Sue Walton welcomed the regulation of commercial fitness activities on public land.

She was hopeful the permits would limit degradation and increase public access and safety. 

“The biggest issue is going to be trainers who haven’t got permits,” she said. 

The policy is subject to a six-month trial, which came into effect on September 1. 

Since that date, It’s Her Gym has been conducting outdoor training in the Cascades area of Rosalind Park, leading up to the Poppet Head Tower.

It’s one of the steepest inclines in Bendigo, but Ms Walton said she had adapted her program to make the most of it.

“I use those hills as part of my training,” she said. 

Ms Walton said commercial fitness operators were privileged to use the city’s public spaces and had sufficient time to provide feedback on the policy.