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New conditions for hall hire

Tyler BrownWanneroo Times

It has decided to impose additional conditions such as a higher bond and security staff on bookings it identifies as "high risk".

These include parties involving certain age groups and also events such as bucks� or hens� nights.

The City has 32 community facilities that can be hired for private functions and activities.

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Each booking is subject to an application process and conditions the hirer must agree to.

�The vast majority of bookings that occur in the City's community facilities go ahead without incident.

"However, the City has previously experienced some property damage and anti-social behaviour issues with some casual bookings," a council document said.

"These bookings typically involve consumption of alcohol and/or significant numbers of people such as at 18th and 21st birthday parties."

Between January 2011 and April 2012, the City had 80 bookings considered high risk because of the type of booking (16th, 18th, 21st, bucks� or hens� parties, consumption of alcohol) and the number of people involved (more than 50).

Of these, the City had issues with 12 of them " 10 were 18th or 21st birthday parties, one was a 16th and one was a 40th " ranging from the premises not being cleaned adequately to vandalism and damage, violence and anti-social behaviour.

Two of the bookings required police attendance.

In 2012, the City started a trial of not accepting bookings for 18th or 21st birthday parties.

Since then, there have been no incidents of property damage or antisocial behaviour associated with casual bookings in the facilities.

During the trial, the City also reviewed the process for high-risk casual bookings and considered three options � reverting to a normal approach, imposing additional conditions such as a higher bond and a requirement for security staff or a permanent ban.

"Option three is most effective in minimising the risk of issues resulting from high-risk bookings," a council document said.

"However it could be seen as disadvantaging some applicants whose booking would not present any issues but would not be approved by the City because it fits into the category of a high-risk booking," a council document said.

Following feedback from councillors, it was recommended option two be implemented "to help minimise the potential for damage to the City's community facilities".

The new policy was adopted at last week's council meeting.