Two Months in Leisure

Some of the industry headlines over recent months. Daily industry news can be read at www.ausleisure.com.au

Music Victoria report cites challenges of unpaid performances, closed venues and bullying

A newly released report from Music Victoria has revealed that the industry is facing major challenges as it emerges from the pandemic amid mounting business, cultural and capacity problems.

The Music Victoria Priorities for the Victorian Music Industry white paper shows that less than half of the Victorian businesses licensed for live music performances in 2019 have so far renewed their licences for 2021/22 while the industry struggles with endemic harassment, bullying and low pay.

The white paper seeks to build the global recognition of the live music sector, as a key driver of Victoria’s economic, cultural and social prosperity.

The report painted a stark picture of working conditions for musicians, with one in four performances unpaid and contracts regularly broken without compensation.

It found little diversity in the industry, with about three-quarters of performance opportunities filled by men, and a longstanding culture of bullying and harassment.

New Rottnest Island management plan to better service tourists

Western Australia’s new Rottnest Island Management Plan 2023-2027 will replace the current plan which was due to expire in December 2024 and aims to offer improved services for tourists.

Rottnest Island has seen significant renewal, receiving further funding for key infrastructure and development of visitor amenities in recent years.

This has included more than $100 million for major upgrades to the Island’s energy and water networks, roads and jetties.

Australian Sports Commission drops Sport Australia brand

Having been used less frequently over recent months, the Australian Sports Commission has announced that, as part of its new strategic vision, the Sport Australia brand is being retired.

Launched in 2018, to focus on physical activity as part of the implementation of its Sport 2030 strategy, the Sport Australia title had caused confusion with its use being interchangeable with the Australian Sports Commission brand.

The new strategic vision is titled ‘Our Green and Gold decade of opportunity’ with ASC Chief Executive Kieren Perkins noting that “any game plan in sport is only as good as the way in which you deliver it.”

Having dropped the epithet Sport Australia, ASC aims to move forward as one integrated organisation incorporating both participation and high performance sport.

New Zealand expansion for Club Pilates and Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness, Inc. has revealed that it is to expand into New Zealand, with the announcement of an Area Development Agreement with Castle Point Fitness NZ Ltd.

Looking to open a minimum of 25 Planet Fitness locations in New Zealand over the next few years, Ray Miolla, Chief Development Officer at Planet Fitness, explained “our growing fleet of clubs in Australia is performing very well, and we believe we have the right local team in place to replicate this success in New Zealand and accelerate growth of our business in this region.”

Castle Point is a joint venture between the founder of The Fresnel Companies, LLC, a USA-based investment firm and a private family office.

Club Pilates is also to expand into New Zealand with the Australian master franchise operator of the world’s largest Pilates brand revealing plans for over 10 locations.

Founded in 2007, Club Pilates is the largest Pilates brand and studio network worldwide with more than 700 studios across the globe, spanning eight countries.

Club Pilates is owned by Xponential Fitness, Inc., the largest global franchisor of boutique fitness brands including Pure Barre, CycleBar, StretchLab, BFT, Rumble, Row House, YogaSix, AKT, and STRIDE.

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Kyabram Fauna Park Lachlan Gordon and Ben Stubbs with inland taipans. Credit: Visit Shepparton

Zoos Victoria marks 160 years of wildlife conservation

Melbourne Zoo, Australia’s oldest zoo, is this year marking 160 years of wildlife conservation.

Still retaining the same 55-hectare footprint as when it opened its gates on 6th October 1862, the Zoo originally housed mostly domestic and wild animals, such as deer, boar and birds that had been imported to Australia from overseas.

From its origins, Zoos Victoria has grown to include Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and, later this year, Kyabram Fauna Park in northern Victoria. All engage the wider community in wildlife conservation, educating and empowering visitors to take positive action for wildlife.

Together, Victoria’s Zoos currently care for more than 4,500 animals across 350 species, with a focus on fighting wildlife extinction in Victoria and across Australia.

Business France looks to deliver opportunities for Australian sport

Business France, the French Embassy’s Trade and Investment Commission is looking to foster new partnerships between Australian and French companies in the aquatic, fitness, recreation and sport industry.

As the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, Business France believes there are great opportunities within this sector for developing synergies between the two nations, with a spokesperson advising “budding partnerships in sporting infrastructure, equipment, solution and sporting events management will prove valuable and rewarding.”

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust looks for operator for GMHBA Stadium Cricket Hub

The Kardinia Park Stadium Trust has advised that it is looking for an operator for the Geelong Cricket Hub, a 5-lane indoor cricket hub being constructed as part of the fifth and final part of the current redevelopment of the northern end of GMHBA Stadium.

The cricket hub is positioned adjacent to the existing Geelong Cricket Club nets with entrance from a new landscaped plaza forming the gateway to the new grandstand.

Due for completion in mid-2023, the Centre will be leased to Cricket Victoria by Kardinia Park who in turn will look to appoint a suitably qualified operator and centre manager.

The Trust is now taking expressions of interest for a Cricket Hub Operator who will run the facility.

Pandemic affected Australian Open events generated significant economic benefit and record broadcast numbers

The Australian Open tennis tournament generated $405.3 million in economic benefits in 2021 and 2022 according to a new report from Nielsen Sports.

The newly released data shows that the two pandemicaffected tournaments welcomed 130,374 fans in 2021 and a further 346,468 attendees in 2022 while, this year, the event delivered the highest-rating TV program, peaking at 4.261 million viewers in Australia watching Ash Barty’s historic victory. Globally that year, 746 million hours were broadcast in 226 territories via 25 partners in 2022 - a 20% increase on 2021.

Singapore’s Revolution spin cycling to expand franchise model in Australia

Spin cycling operator Revolution Singapore has announced the launch of its franchise model in Australia, revealing that it is ready to engage state master and franchisees nationwide.

Established in 2020, the premium indoor rhythm cycling brand currently operates at four locations in Singapore focussing on high-intensity, beat-filled, full-body workouts in darkened rooms with sessions led by inspirational instructors.

Cotton On Group investment to back national expansion of Geelong fitness studio

The investment arm of Cotton On Group, Australia’s largest global retailer, is to invest in Geelongbased fitness studio and activewear retailer Upstate Studios to help the brand expand nationally. Founded in 2009 in Geelong, Upstate operates six fitness studios in Victoria on top of its online fitness classes and its activewear apparel line Upstate Sport. Using Cotton On’s ‘expertise and experience’ and backed by Cotton On’s innovation fund, Upstate will look to first grow in Victoria before then expanding nationally.

Swimming Australia announces new partnership with Australian Swim Schools Association

Aimed at strengthening the swimming community, Swimming Australia has entered into a new strategic partnership with the Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA).

The new partnership will establish strategies to connect the services, capabilities and networks of both organisations, integrating the full swimming pathway in the process.

Swimming Australia Chief Executive, Eugénie Buckley believes the collaboration between both organisations will further strengthen the sport at all levels.

Buckley notes “we are a swimming nation with 1 in 5 Australians engaging in some form of swimming activity around the country, and that journey all starts in our swim schools. “Working with ASSA will enable us both to continue to foster that positive relationship with our sport, from your very first swimming lesson, to grassroots community swimming and through to the elite level.”

ASSA has also introduced a new, streamlined approach to swim teacher accreditation which will see ASSA Member Swim Schools conduct their own Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Course integrated into their training processes.

Survey suggests Australians are overspending on gym memberships

Millions of Australians are overspending on their gym membership, according to new research from Finder.

The recently released survey found nearly a third of gym-goers (32%-1.2 million Australians) are spending more than $20 per session, based on how frequently they work out.

This includes 8% who are wasting $1,024 per year just to attend the gym once or not at all.

The research found the 5% of Australians who attend once every six months are spending the equivalent of $512 per session, while it costs $256 per session for the 7% who use their gym once every three months.

Finder revealed that the average weekly gym spend is $19.70 per week, which, for the average gymgoer who attends around twice a week, equates to $8.60 per session.

Images: Concepts for the new Te Kaha venue. Credit: Christchurch City Council.

Website launched to promote Christchurch’s new Te Kaha multi-use venue

Christchurch venue management organisation Venues Otautahi has released a new website and imbedded video promoting the new Te Kaha multi-use venue.

Introducing new concept imagery for the stadium, which is scheduled to open in the winter of 2026, the website also promotes hospitality offerings and commercial partnership opportunities for the $683 million city centre venue.

Following its recent official launch of the venue, Te Kaha project delivery board Chair Barry Bragg has advised that the cost burden for the venue’s construction now rests with the building contractors BESIX Watpac.

Funding boost to deliver new Canberra theatre

The ACT Government’s 2022/23 Budget has allocated a total of $28.44 million to revitalising Civic Square and the Canberra Theatre Centre. This will fund design work and extensive stakeholder and community consultation for the expanded Canberra Theatre Centre, which will include a new major theatre.

A further $2.39 million will be invested to commence essential workplace health and safety upgrades and to provide the required resourcing to support the expansion and redevelopment of the Canberra Theatre Centre.

Federal Government launches 10 year conservation plan for threatened species

With ambitious targets, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek has released the Threatened Species Action Plan: Towards Zero Extinctions - setting out a pathway for threatened species conservation and recovery over the next 10 years.

The Action Plan includes preventing any new extinctions of plants and animals, and protecting and conserving at least 30% of Australia’s land mass.

By prioritising 110 species and 20 places, the Plan will drive action where it is needed most and will deliver flow-on benefits to other threatened plants and animals in the same habitats.

The need for action to protect our plants, animals and ecosystems from extinction has never been greater. This was highlighted in the State of the Environment Report.

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Educators and recreation stakeholders call for more outdoor focus in schools

Important shifts in education that will improve the well-being and development of Australian children were among a range of issues considered at the 21st National Outdoor Education Conference held late September in the NSW Blue Mountains. The three-day conference saw 250 outdoor educators bring knowledge, skills, research and experience to the table to discuss how more of our community can benefit from outdoor education.

Lori Modde, host of the National Outdoor Education Conference, explains “starting out as CEO of Outdoors New South Wales and ACT in 2020, I was astounded to learn how many schools do not value or embed outdoor education in their methods.

“We have a whole nation out there that needs to understand the impacts of outdoor education on our future generations because it’s a solution to many problems in our society and everyone deserves an opportunity to be better.”

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Ardent Leisure secures Major Amusement Park Licences from regulator

The Ardent Leisure Group has revealed that it has been issued with Major Amusement Park Licences (MAP Licences) under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) for its Dreamworld and Whitewater World properties by Queensland’s workplace health and safety regulator, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).

The granting of the MAP Licences represents the culmination of several years of extensive work by the business, in consultation with WHSQ, demonstrating a robust safety case that provides a holistic framework for the management of health and safety at both Dreamworld and Whitewater World.

The licensing regime for amusement parks in Queensland is a world-first that was instigated by the Queensland Government in 2019 with the objective of achieving world-class best practice safety standards in theme park operations.

Australia’s mainstream media acknowledges attractions industry insurance crisis

Following on from lobbying by the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) and Australasian Leisure Management reporting on the issue over the past two years, Australia’s mainstream media has recently given extensive coverage to the insurance crisis impacting the attractions and amusement industry.

Looking for backing for the creation of a Discretionary Mutual Fund, AALARA continues to lobby for the implementation.

AFL Grand Final’s MCG return welcomes largest crowd since 1971

Returning to the MCG after a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the 2022 AFL Grand Final was played in front of a crowd of 100,024 fans - the largest attendance since 1971.

Having been held in Brisbane in 2020 and Perth in 2021, fans saw a dominant display from Geelong who stormed to a 20.13 (133) to 8.4 (52) victory against the Sydney Swans.

While crowds returned to the MCG, ratings for the afternoon fixture for free-to-air broadcaster Channel 7 were disappointing with the Cats’ win seen by 2.18 million viewers in capital cities and 2.96 million viewers nationally, with 95,000 viewers on streaming platforms.

International tourism growth returns to 60% of pre-pandemic levels

Newly released statistics from the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer has shown that international arrivals climbed by 172% during the first seven months of 2022 compared to the same seven-month period in 2021.

As a result, the tourism industry has picked up to 60% of the level it was at before the pandemic.

Pent-up demand for international travel and the easing or removal of travel restrictions to this point are seen as key to this slow but steady recovery - 86 countries having no COVID-19related restrictions as of 19th September 2022.

While the tourism industry is showing signs of improvement, many geopolitical and economic issues remain, according to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

Because of the strong industry growth in developing countries, people worldwide feel more optimistic. The time is opportune to examine tourism’s future and its implications on people and the environment.

Float to Survive safety message to be trialled by Waverley and Randwick Councils

The ‘Float to Survive’ safety message proposed by Bruce Hopkins and Ken Holloway of Surf Educators Australia and the Australian Pool and Ocean Lifeguard Association Incorporated (APOLA) is to be trialled on popular Sydney beaches in the Waverley and Randwick Council local government areas during the 2022/23 summer. This message will be promoted alongside the traditional beach safety message of ‘always swim between the red and yellow flags’, with development and promotion of the campaign will be a collaborative effort between Surf Educators International (SEI)/APOLA, Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) and the two councils.

Global attractions attendance report reveals 2021 as a year of recovery

2021 marked a year of recovery for theme parks, waterparks and museums around the world, with the latest edition of TEA and AECOM’s definitive global attraction attendance report revealing an industry adapting to challenges resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic.

The newly released 2021 TEA/ AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index highlights regional resiliency and ingenuity as operators found ways to capitalise on pent-up demand as visitor numbers improved.

The 16th annual edition of the definitive industry report shows that, despite the ongoing impacts of COVID, increased visitor numbers to attractions were a result of successful vaccine rollouts, easing capacity restrictions and simplified travel in most parts of the world advising that’ although “some consumers still avoided large group settings - particularly at indoor venues - the market returned to a relatively successful ‘bounceback’ year with expectations for increased performance in 2022.”

AUSTSWIM is continuing its move towards integrating sustainability into its training courses. It has announced that its course training manuals are being moved online as a part of a Net Zero plan to reduce its carbon footprint. This development comes after industry and student consultation, and with further developments in their digital transformation coming to fruition. It is a big step that is set to enhance the online experience for every digital visitor to AUSTSWIM online.

AUSTSWIM remains focused on delivering courses that exceed the minimum industry standards and continues to set the bar for the industry and work towards its vision of having every Australasian taught by an AUSTSWIM Licenced Teacher.

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup records best ever attendance

The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney is confirmed to have the highest attendance ever in the history of the competition.

The confirmed number of attendance at the end of the Final and Third-Place Game is 145,519 accumulating the attendance from all games played at both the Sydney SuperDome and the Sydney Sports Centre throughout the duration of the competition.

Ahead of the final, FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis noted “I think - I can only speak with one voice, but on behalf of both of David Reid, the chairman of the Local Organising Committee and myself - we’re extremely happy to have a sold out final day with the third-place game and the final to be attended by approximately 16,000 fans of women’s basketball.

Queenstown Cardrona Rocco Jamieson Credit Troy Tanner

Queenstown experiences best winter snow season in decades

Queenstown has enjoyed a record winter with the snow conditions being described as the best in decades. A huge June snowfall set the mountains up for a long season of quality snow.

Cardrona Alpine Resort opened on 11th June then briefly closed with too much snow. Cardrona Alpine Resort & Treble Cone General Manager Laura Hedley says what followed for the entire winter “was just wall-to-wall snow”.

NZSki Chief Executive Paul Anderson says the snow at the Remarkables and Coronet Peak was also “wall-to-wall from the get-go!

“It’s certainly one for the history books. Described by locals as the best snow in 30 years – it kickstarted a bumper season for us in terms of conditions, visitation numbers and open days.”

North Sydney Council calls for independent review of Olympic Pool redevelopment

North Sydney Council is to undertake an independent review into the management of its delayed and over budget Olympic Pool redevelopment.

The need “for an urgent inquiry” into the Council’s handling of the revamp of the iconic pool, which sits below the Sydney Harbour Bridge, was agreed by Councillors at a meeting on 11th October. Aiming to ensure the project remains on track, Mayor Zoe Baker said Council would appoint a suitably qualified consultant to review Council’s management of the project including its governance structure and financing model.

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OCA awards 2029 Asian Winter Games hosting rights to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games at its Trojena mountain resort development in its NEOM city project.

Awarded at the 41st General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia in the Cambodian capital of Phomh Phen, this will be the first edition of the Asian Winter Games to take place in a West Asian city.

Set to open in 2026, Trojena is a planned resort in the underconstruction US$500 billion city of Neom, dubbed the ‘land of the future’ by Saudi Arabian authorities.

Maitland City Council allocates $500,000 for swimming pool tile repair

Maitland City Council has agreed $500,000 in repair works for remedial works at the ageing East Maitland Aquatics Centre.

With recent investigations finding several major issues at the 45-year-old facility including slab movement and compliance defects, the Council signed off on the emergency repairs and upgrades at a meeting on 27th September. The investigation of the facility revealed several major issues including failing pool expansion joints resulting in substantial water loss and impeded slab movement resulting in ‘tenting’ of the tile bed.

Set to start after an expedited selected tender process, the program will include a short term repair of the pool structure and tile bed to prevent water loss, in order to allow the Centre to reopen for the second half of the 2022/23 season.

Cricket Australia reveals $5.1 million loss for 2021/22 despite World Cup and Ashes wins

Cricket Australia has revealed that it lost $5.1 million in the past financial year, largely due to COVID restrictions and the challenges of the changing broadcast environment. Following on from figures released at its recent annual general meeting, which also revealed an $14.3 million year-on-year decrease in total revenue to $391 million overall, Cricket Australia advised that its net deficit resulted from a drop in The December 2021 Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval. its international media rights income and “the costs of staging cricket throughout the pandemic”.

The loss was incurred despite the reporting period sees victorious men’s and women’s Ashes series at home, a women’s 50-over World Cup win and a men’s T20 world title.

Sport New Zealand looks to build support for elite women’s sport

In a year of two women’s world cups and a range of international sporting events, Sport New Zealand has launched ‘It’s Time’ - a campaign aimed at promoting greater engagement in elite women’s sport.

Research commissioned by Sport NZ shows awareness of female athletes is significantly lower than comparable male athletes, particularly in team sports.

Undertaken by Gemba, the research shows that only one in three New Zealanders regularly watch women’s sport and more than half (53%) don’t expect to engage in women’s sport over the next 12 months, whether that’s watching on TV, attending matches, using social media or following media coverage.

Auckland Stadiums advise of new approach to recreational drugs

With Auckland Stadiums’ venues set to host a range of major events with an exciting line up of concerts, sport and festivals, the Auckland Council agency will be adopting new measures in relation to recreational drugs checking with KnowYourStuffNZ.

While Auckland Stadiums’ stance on the abuse of alcohol and bringing prohibited substances into venues hasn’t changed, recreational drug checking volunteers from KnowYourStuffNZ will be onsite at Mt Smart Stadium for the first time.

KnowYourStuffNZ provides drug related harm reduction services at events around New Zealand, including drug checking.

Evolt 360 completes $12 million capital raise to meet strong order pipeline

Evolt 360, the Australian developer of a proprietary body composition scanning technology, has successfully completed a $12 million capital raising to meet its strong order pipeline.

The raise, led by Bell Potter Securities, was backed by leading investors Regal Funds Management, Washington H Soul Pattinson and family office Smarter Capital.

With the Gold Coastbased company experiencing strong growth in demand for the leading body composition scanner and software solution, the funds will be used to significantly increase manufacturing and to fulfil existing enterprise contracts.

Gaining broad acceptance from the world’s leading gym and fitness brands and currently installed in 35 countries, Evolt 360 has demonstrated both proven export capability and strong scalability.

The Victorian Government is allocating up to $150 million to upgrade Mars Stadium, located in the Victorian regional city of Ballarat, in preparation for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Aiming to improve accessibility, operational safety and functionality for Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat, Council has approved the awarding of the tender for the third stage of the redevelopment to Ballarat company A.W Nicholson Pty Ltd.

Ahead of their upcoming 50th Anniversary celebrations next year, Adelaide Festival Centre has launched a new brand and website, making it even easier for theatre goers to purchase tickets and discover more about their favourite shows and events.

Hobart is set to become one of the nation’s greenest cities under a new project that will fast-track the City of Hobart’s Urban Street Tree Strategy.

The City of Gold Coast has published new data revealing that the value of its sporting economy has hit $747 million - the highest in its history.

Georges River Council is seeking proposals for the naming rights sponsorship of its Jubilee Stadium/Jubilee Oval in Kogarah home of the NRL Dragons.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council has released the concept design for its planned Town Beach Outdoor Amphitheatre.

The viewing site at one of Australia’s best known crocodile spotting sites and a major tourist attraction - Kakadu National Park’s Cahills Crossing - has reopened following a $3 million upgrade.

JPE Design Studio and Warren and Mahoney have been appointed to design a new $80-million facility to replace the ageing Adelaide Aquatic Centre.

ASM Global has been reappointed by the Queensland Government through Stadiums Queensland to manage Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium for a five-year period from 1st January 2023.

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Tropical North Queensland launches online hub for accessible tourism

A partnership between bodies active in tourism and accessibility in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef have launched a new online hub for visitors with mobility impairment to help select activities and itineraries in Tropical North Queensland.

Advising that Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) had worked closely with Spinal Life Australia and Out There Travel Care to put together content showcasing experiences and accommodation accessible to all travellers, TTNQ Chief Executive, Mark Olsen commented “it has been an informative exercise discovering wheelchair-friendly beaches, Quicksilver’s water-powered lift to lower people into the water so they can snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, and which rainforest boardwalks are best suited to wheelchairs.

Kew Recreation Centre roof collapses in the middle of the night

The redevelopment of the Kew Recreation Centre in inner eastern Melbourne has been halted following the collapse of its roof. Media reports advised that residents were woken at about 10pm on 20th October by a loud noise that some thought resembled a large explosion.

Following the incident, Victoria Police and Fire + Rescue attended the scene following which Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) representatives reportedly cordoned off the area and kept it secure.

With investigations now being conducted by lead contractor ADCO and WorkSafe, the City of Boroondara said in a social post that no-one was hurt and there was no impact on neighbouring properties. Damage was contained to the construction site and early investigations suggest other areas of the facility under construction weren’t damaged.

ARV partners with Jobs Victoria to create 300 jobs for aquatics industry

Through a partnership between Jobs Victoria and Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, the Victorian Government is creating 300 jobs for the aquatics sector, including swimming teachers, lifeguards, duty managers and customer service staff.

The $5.7 million investment will deliver worker training and support including, First-Aid and CPR, lifeguard training and certified qualifications in swim teaching and water safety. Plus Fitness has shared how its gyms across the country are transitioning with new branding and club fit outs.

Plus Fitness Franchise Recruitment Manager, Steve Stucci wrote “our members from all over the country have been enjoying the latest and greatest features that a newly fitted Plus Fitness club has to offer.

“From Bertram, Alkimos and Morley in Western Australia, to Southport in Queensland, Oakleigh South in Victoria, and not to mention plenty of clubs in NSW … we can’t wait for all the members to come and checkout these brand-new club designs and fit outs.”

With the Viva Leisure-owned franchise group expanding, Stucci added “as we continue to revitalise and revolutionise clubs across our network, we also continue to open up brand new locations across the country.”

Announced in April, the Australian owned and founded 24/7 gym franchise network, is undergoing a major rebrand across its nearly 200 clubs that will see the franchise revitalise its brand and club design as it enters the next stage of its growth.

Fitness and Lifestyle Group sells Jetts franchise business and HYPOXI weight loss brand

Fitness and Lifestyle Group (FLG) has sold its Jetts Fitness business via Management Buy Out to a group led by Jetts Fitness Australia Chief Executive, Elaine Jobson (pictured). The sale encompasses 129 franchised clubs in Australia as well as international franchise businesses in the UK and the Netherlands. Fitness and Lifestyle Group retains full ownership of its Jetts Fitness brand and operations in New Zealand, Vietnam and Thailand, where the brand is already market leader by number of clubs.

Fernwood Fitness has also acquired the licence for the HYPOXI weight loss brand FLG.

Owner and Fernwood Fitness founder, Diana Williams advises “our acquisition of HYPOXI Australia is a true win for every member at Fernwood and is great for our demographic.

“It can be difficult in the fitness industry to target the weight loss market outside of diet and exercise, and HYPOXI perfectly complements our network and the fitness routines of Fernwood members.”

Western Australian Government introduces laws banning thugs from entertainment precincts

Western Australian Government has introduced legislation that will ban violent offenders and perpetrators of antisocial behaviour from popular entertainment precincts.

Protected Entertainment Precincts will be established in Northbridge-Perth, Fremantle, Scarborough, Hillarys and Mandurah.

Protected Entertainment Precincts (PEP) are named in honour of Giuseppe ‘Pep’ Raco, the victim of an unprovoked one-punch attack in Northbridge in July 2020.

Northern Territory Supreme Court rules on Director of Parks Australia damage to sacred site

The Northern Territory Supreme Court has found the Director of Parks Australia is not criminally liable for damaging a Kakadu sacred site because the Commonwealth Government is not bound by the Territory’s sacred sites laws.

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) brought the prosecution against Parks Australia in 2020 after a longrunning dispute culminated in accusations Parks Australia had built a walking track through the sacred site within the UNESCO world heritage-listed site without permission.

Parks Australia started a legal fight in October 2021 over the allegations of damages caused to the sacred site at Gunlom Falls in the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park.

Students fill all 2022 Venue Management School places

Returning to the Mantra on Salt Resort in the northern NSW coastal town of Kingscliff from 5th to 11th November, the Venue Management Association has advised that all places have been filled for its 2022 Venue Management School and Leadership Institute.

Cancelled due to the pandemic over the past two years, the programs will welcome new Year 1 and Leadership Institute Students and the returning class of 2019 for their completion of Year 2 program.

Advising that all the Instructors are looking forward to the program, Venue Management School and Leadership Institute Chair, Dean Hassall stated “what fantastic news it is to announce that our highly regarded industry leading educational program, the VMS has officially sold out.”

World Health Organization reveals high cost of physical inactivity in first-ever global report

Almost 500 million people will develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes or other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) attributable to physical inactivity, between 2020 and 2030, costing US$27 billion annually, if nations fail to take urgent action to encourage more physical activity among their populations. The Global status report on physical activity 2022, published by the World Health Organization (WHO), measures the extent to which governments are implementing recommendations to increase physical activity across all ages and abilities.

Data from 194 countries show that overall, progress is slow and that countries need to accelerate the development and implementation of policies to increase levels of physical activity and thereby prevent disease and reduce burden on already overwhelmed health care systems.

CrocArena at the CaPTA owned Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas

North Queensland’s CaPTA Group wins Global Award for Sustainable Tourism

The CaPTA Group has been recognised as a global leader in sustainable tourism, winning the 2022 Skål International Sustainable Tourism Award in the Major Tourist Attractions category.

The award was presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 81st Skål World Congress in the Croatian city of Kvarner on Friday 14th October, attended by CaPTA Director of Sales and Marketing Ben Woodward.

For 21 years, Skål International has recognised best practices in sustainable and responsible tourism to enhance the visibility and grant recognition to entities from the travel and tourism industry around the world.

NSW Fair Trading urges consumers to avoid ticket resellers

Consumers are being urged to avoid dealing with ticket reselling platforms that advertise tickets to popular events, often at exorbitant prices in violation of NSW laws. The move follows NSW Fair Trading fining eBay Australia over marked-up tickets for the NRL Grand Final tickets which were offered for sale on its platform.

New Zealand’s Ruapehu Alpine Lifts enters voluntary administration

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited (RAL), which runs the Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields on Mt Ruapehu on New Zealand’s North Island, has gone into voluntary administration.

The move follows tough operating years for RAL during the pandemic when New Zealand’s ski areas were first closed and then unable to receive international visitors, followed by poor snowfalls and above-average temperatures during the current winter season.

RAL, which claims that the two areas combined are the country’s largest ski resort, chose to enter administration after a request for a bailout from the New Zealand Government was rejected.

RAL currently employs 196 people across the two ski fields and had to lay off more than 200 staff in August due to lack of snow.

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