• What is a community centre?

• Community Centres are indoor spaces hired by the community for regular or one-off events and activities.

  They provide spaces for social, creative, educational and recreational activities and health and/or support services for the community.

  These spaces are multi-use, multi-purpose and accessible to the public.
  

  
  

• Why do we need a Strategy?

• The strategy guides the planning and provision of community centres for the next 20 years.

  Detailed information is available on page 8 of the Northern Beaches Community Centre Strategy (draft)

  
  

• What information was used to develop the draft Strategy?

• The draft strategy was developed using two primary sources of information:

  • Benchmarking analysis, in terms of floor space (Gross Floor Area) available for multi-purpose community centres and current and future gaps.
  • Community Consultation report, incorporating survey results from regular hirers, community members and telephone survey recipients. Community focus groups and workshops were also conducted.

  Learn more, view the Draft Strategy, pg. 14

• What locations have been identified for regional and district/sub-regional community centres?

• The draft Strategy proposes investigating the potential for:

  • a Regional Community Centre in Dee Why
  • District/Sub-regional community centres in Brookvale, Balgowlah, Manly, Mona Vale, Forestville and Frenchs Forest Town Centre

  Learn more in the draft Strategy pg. 34 and 35, and in the Community Centres Strategy Action Plan.

• Why do we need more district and regional facilities when we already have so many centres?

• The majority of the centres are small and not necessarily in the right location.

  Through our engagement late last year, we learnt that the community centres most in demand are those that are easily accessible, close to transport and centrally located to other services.

• What does the Action Plan outline?

• The Action Plan details the actions that will assist the planning and delivery of the community centre service for the Northern Beaches.

  It details the Actions by Strategy and identifies them by planning areas of :

  • Mona Vale
  • Terrey Hills
  • Frenchs Forest
  • Brookvale- Dee Why
  • Manly

  Read the Action Plan

• What's the definition of short, medium and long term actions?

• Short Term: 1-3 years, and generally smaller projects and/or already funded and in progress projects.
  

  Medium Term: 3-5 years, projects needing prioritisation of funding, community consultation.

  Long Term: 5-10 years, larger projects that will take time for investigation, consultation and implementation.

• What buildings are addressed in the draft Strategy?

• Council manages 41 community centres, 37 of these are included in this Strategy.

  There are many other Council community buildings and other organisations that hire space to the community, but these are not included in this Strategy.

Questions - Stage one engagement

• What is the purpose of the strategy?

• The purpose of the Community Centre Strategy is to investigate the current use and plan for the future use of multipurpose community centres over the next 20 years. 
  

• What buildings are included in the strategy?

• As part of the strategy we're including 37 of the 41 community centres. Two halls are surf club halls and they are part of a different study. The Creative Space is not a hall for hire, and managed by the Arts & Culture team specifically for studio and gallery use. The Collaroy Plateau Progress Hall is not a multi-use community centre, with just the one sole user group being a preschool.
  

• Will this Strategy impact my current/future bookings or lease arrangement?

• No.

• Is the strategy a way to get increased use in a community centre?

• No. The strategy is not assessing the requests, but a long term strategy for improved provision of multiuse community centres. 
  

• Will the strategy identify where new buildings may be built?

• The strategy may recommend locations that are suitable for community centres.
  

• Will the community centre I hire be remodelled or sold?

• The strategy will provide options and recommendations for the strategic provision of community centres across the Northern Beaches. Any future changes will be determined by funding and other Council priorities. 
  

• Will this strategy impact the fees and charges?

• No. Fees and charges are reviewed by Council annually. The strategy will gather feedback as part of the study. 
  

• Why does Northern Beaches Council need a community centre strategy?

• There has been no formal planning for the provision of community centres. The strategy will be a framework to ensure the centres are fit for purpose, in the right location and meet the needs of the community.