For 30 years Gwelup Playgroup has been a vital hub for local families – a place where young children can play, learn and connect in a space run solely by volunteer parents.

But despite being a not-for-profit community group, we are slugged with the highest rent of any playgroup in Western Australia - $12,500 a year - because of an unfair lease arrangement designed by the City of Stirling. Meanwhile, many other playgroups across WA are provided buildings for free by their local councils.

To make matters worse, we have been on a month-to-month lease arrangement for the past 20 months - despite repeatedly asking the Mayor, Councillors and the City of Stirling executive for a more permanent solution.

Under the City of Stirling’s current lease arrangement for Colin Moore Community Centre, our home of almost three decades, Gwelup Playgroup has:

1. No security of tenure: leaving us vulnerable to changes in our tenancy.
2. A lack of reinvestment into the ageing facility, despite the record rent we pay.  
3. No transparency on where rental income is spent.

The City of Stirling has entrusted the management of Colin Moore Community Centre to another community group, which has full control over fees, tenancy terms and maintenance. It is not appropriate for one not-for-profit community group to fund another. 

Despite repeatedly raising concerns, the City of Stirling won’t tell us when a new lease will be issued, giving our playgroup no security of ongoing tenure.

We are calling on the City of Stirling to fix this broken system and guarantee Gwelup Playgroup a fair and secure home by no later than March 31. The next lease agreement must include:  

1. Security of tenure – Gwelup Playgroup must be guaranteed a place at Colin Moore for at least the next five years.
2. Fair and stable rent – fees must be capped and not subject to unchecked increases.  
3. Protected access – our current usage hours cannot be reduced.  
4. Reinvestment in the centre – a clearly dedicated portion of rental income must go towards cleaning, maintenance and upgrades.  

Gwelup Playgroup has been a pillar of this community since 1994. It is unacceptable that we pay the highest rent of any playgroup - $12,500 a year - while other councils support their playgroups.

While at playgroup, children have the opportunity to learn through play and develop social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills in a safe and stimulating environment. Importantly, playgroup also provides the opportunity for parents and children to play together, which is critical to children’s healthy development. By creating a space where parents and caregivers have the opportunity to spend time with their children, playgroups can enhance relationships.

Sign this petition to demand that the City of Stirling secure Gwelup Playgroup’s future and ensure a fair, ethical and community-focused management of Colin Moore Community Centre.

The Gwelup Playgroup Volunteer Committee