While recent changes to the restriction levels in Victoria have made it possible to plan resumption of community halls operations, there are still some restrictions in place.
Operational and booking changes include:
- decrease in venue capacity in line with prescribed density quotient
- submission and approval of a COVID Safe Work Plan prior to confirmation of booking requests (either Geelong City or Victorian Government templates accepted)
We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue our journey towards 'COVID normal'.
What is the maximum attendance allowed?
As per the latest Government Restriction, community facilities can open with a density quotient of one person per two square metres when using a COVID Check-in Marshal, otherwise density quotient of one person per four square metres applies.
Your booking can have a one person to two square metre ratio in our hall if you have a COVID Check-in Marshall. This means you nominate a member of your group to wear a Hi-Viz Vest to stand at the door and make sure every person signs in to the QR Code.
To assist with electronic record keeping, we have implemented an electronic record keeping service
(QR code) at the entrance to our halls. The use of the Community Halls QR code will be a requirement as part of
your booking.
You must sign in using the QR code at the
beginning of your booking and ensure all participants have
their attendance recorded also. Failure to utilise the QR code service at the hall entry will mean you must revert to manual record keeping and reduced capacity as listed in below table:
| Hall |
One to four square metres |
One to two square metres |
| Centenary Hall |
| Kitchen |
10 |
20 |
| Main hall (includes stage and supper room) |
154 |
308 |
| Main and stage |
99 |
198 |
| Middle |
22 |
44 |
| Supper room |
33
|
66 |
| Cobbin Homestead and Chapel |
| Chapel |
26 |
52 |
| Kitchen |
9 |
18 |
| Library |
5 |
10 |
| Lounge |
12
|
24 |
| Sun room |
14 |
28 |
| Cobradah Homestead |
| Main hall |
35 |
70 |
| Meeting room |
8 |
16 |
| Senior's room |
17 |
34 |
| Geelong West Town Hall |
| Kitchen |
15 |
30 |
| Main hall |
149 |
298 |
| Stage |
16 |
32 |
| Supper room |
37 |
74 |
| Total main and stage |
165 |
330 |
| Lara Hall |
| Main hall |
42 |
84 |
| Meeting room |
22 |
44 |
| Stage |
8 |
16 |
| Supper room |
20 |
40 |
| Total main and stage |
50 |
100 |
| Newcomb Hall |
| Kitchen |
6 |
12 |
| Main hall (includes stage) |
49 |
98 |
| Meeting room |
14 |
28 |
| Portarlington Parks Hall |
| Bayview room |
21 |
42 |
| Kitchen |
11 |
22 |
| Main hall |
93 |
186 |
| Parkview room |
22 |
44 |
| Total main and stage |
115 |
230 |
| Marcus Hill Memorial Hall |
| Kitchen |
6 |
12 |
| Main |
38 |
72 |
| Store |
13 |
26 |
| Mount Duneed Hall |
| Main |
12 |
24 |
| St Leonards Reserve Hall |
| Kitchen |
9 |
18 |
| Main |
35 |
70 |
| Virginia Todd Hall |
| Main |
30 |
60 |
Depending on the nature of your event, the hire space may be able to be considered as an indoor entertainment venue (theatres, cinemas, music and concert halls, auditoriums, arenas and stadiums). Please contact the Booking Office if you believe this may apply to your booking.
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Hirer responsibility
It is the responsibility of the hirer to enforce all current government social-distancing measures among patrons attending their event.
The City accepts no responsibility for any breach of the above and will report any known instances to the relevant authorities. As above, COVID Safe Work Plan must submitted to [email protected] and approved prior to attending venue.
Please refer to our Hire conditions page for further information regarding COVID related responsibilities for hirers.
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Committee-managed halls
It is important to note that there are several halls operated by independent committees within the municipality. As these committees are comprised primarily of dedicated volunteers, they have the ability to determine their own operational and running requirements and may be able to provide more flexibility in order to meet your needs.
Please refer to our Committee-managed halls page for more information.
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Further information
Whether you are trying to complete the COVID Safe Questionnaire or trying to plan ahead, it can be tricky to know where to look for the most relevant information.
The recommended source of information can be found at the Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions page at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website. There are many useful documents available, particularly the Restricted Activity Directions which will outline the requirements for activities in community facilities.
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Opening hours
The Booking Office opening hours are currently 9:00am to 5:00pm. We are closed weekends and public holidays.
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Need to know more...
Please contact us at [email protected] for more any further information or clarification you may require.