Consistent with the reasonable expectations of a patron, every Shire employee, while in the lawful performance of their duties, is entitled to a safe workplace and to be secure from disruptive, threatening, or violent behaviour by a patron.

Patrons and employees have the right to be free from acts or threats of disruptive behaviour and/or physical violence, including intimidation, harassment, and/or coercion, which involve or affect the facility or provision of services.

MRRC will not tolerate any patron, acting individually or with others, who obstructs or disrupts service activity or any other workplace activity held on Shire property.

Offensive patron conduct must be addressed promptly and effectively to protect Shire employees and the public and to correct or remove such offensive behaviour.

Definitions

No patron may engage in offensive conduct whilst at Margaret River Recreation Centre. Offensive conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviours:

Disruptive Behaviour: Disruptive patron behaviour is inappropriate behaviour that interferes with the functioning and orderly administration of a Shire facility or the provision of a municipal service. It hinders or prevents Shire employees from carrying out their professional responsibilities. It is important that Shire employees address disruptive behaviour promptly. If left unaddressed, disruptive behaviour typically continues to escalate, resulting in negative consequences for the individual as well as others. Examples include yelling, using profanity, waving arms or fists, verbally abusing others, and refusing reasonable requests for identification.

Threatening Behaviour: Threatening patron behaviour includes physical actions short of actual contact/injury (e.g., moving closer aggressively), general oral or written threats to people or property (“You better watch your back” or “I’ll get you”), as well as implicit threats (“You’ll be sorry” or “This isn’t over”).

Violent Behaviour: Violent patron behaviour includes any physical assault, with or without weapons, behaviour that a reasonable person would interpret as being potentially violent (e.g., throwing things, pounding on a desk or door, or destroying property), or specific threats to inflict physical harm (e.g., a threat to shoot a named individual).

Inspections of Patrons and Items: For security purposes, the Shire has the right to inspect all patrons and items on or near their persons, such as bags, eskies, packs, mobile devices, etc., before permitting entry to Margaret River Recreation Centre or as a condition of remaining within the facility.

Contravention of the Membership Terms and Conditions and/or Conditions of Entry to the centre or areas within the centre: The Shire reserves the right to suspend a membership or prohibit a person from entering the centre if they do not comply. This includes, but is not limited to, adhering to the no coaching rule, using a towel in the gym, or following the instructions of staff.