Personal trainers who use council-owned parks and reserves may soon need a permit to take their classes in public places.
A new Wyndham council policy proposes that commercial fitness providers be required to have a permit for their activities, to hold valid public liability insurance, and to pre-book council reserves.
The proposal seeks to slug personal trainers an annual fee of $120 for sessions with one to eight participants, while those seeking to train nine to 20 participants each session will face a fee of $240 annually.
Werribee-based personal trainer Sean Robins said he was unsure whether a permit was necessary.
“If you’re doing well as a personal trainer, it obviously isn’t too big a deal,” he said. “But when you add that fee to your insurance, plus registration and ongoing professional development – you begin to wonder if it’s worth it at all.”
Mr Robins said training in a gym was too expensive, and the introduction of permits for public spaces could limit options for trainers.
“I like to take my clients outdoors on nice days to enjoy the sunshine.”
In a discussion at last week’s ordinary council meeting, councillors were divided over the new policy. Cr John Gibbons didn’t agree with it and called it an example of ‘a nanny state’.
Cr Intaj Khan said the introduction of permits would lead to privatisation of parks, and he’d prefer to see them used by the public.
Cr Heather Marcus echoed this sentiment, saying council had enough policies, and she would love to see parks in full use.
Cr Peter Maynard labelled the policy ‘reasonable’, while Cr Marie Brittan said it was important to make sure personal trainers were operating in a safe manner.
The policy is open for public feedback until January 19 at wyndham.vic.gov.au
