MEMBER INFO SESSION - CROWN LEASES

BIAV hosted a very worthwhile and well attended Member Information Session in relation to Crown Leases on Wednesday 6 March, on Zoom. This was part of the 2024 series of member information sessions that BIAV is conducting on the first Wednesday of each month. This session welcomed over 25 BIAV members, as well as special guests Psyche Payne and Jodi Heath from Parks Victoria, as well as BIA Ltd’s Neil Patchett. BIAV CEO Steve Walker hosted the session. Psyche and Jodi outlined the Parks Victoria approach with regard to waterfront related leases, featuring the respective approaches of the Valuer General and Parks Victoria, when establishing or renewing these leases. Several attendees weighed in, some with very passionate views, and overall great contributions were provided.

In terms of commercial leases, the industry emphasis was in relation to sustainability (affordability), tenure (length and security of lease), and incentivisation to invest. The theme was similar for club/community leases however with increased emphasis on Parks Victoria acknowledging community benefit, volunteerism, financial limitations, fairness across ‘like clubs’, and other special aspects that these types of venues provide.

The session was very worthwhile and BIAV thanks the three special guests for attending and presenting, as well as the strong BIAV member group that took part. President Scott O’Hare, who attended, commented “This is a great turnout by industry members, and it really indicated to Parks Vic where things are at, and how things need to be, and can be improved for the future. A very valuable session”.