Did you know that the Zumba Gold Sunnybank class is moving to a user pays model?

In March 2025, I submitted a proposal to the Brisbane City Council to change the Zumba Gold Fitness class at Sunnybank from a FREE class to a USER PAYS class from July 2025.

Please note that this change was initiated by me and had nothing to do with Brisbane City Council nor the Active & Healthy Team.

Sunnybank participants were able to provide their honest feedback through an anonymous survey in late March 2025. Your feedback has now been submitted in full to the Active & Healthy Team at Brisbane City Council.


Details of Proposal... 

I have proposed to the Brisbane City Council that the Zumba Gold Sunnybank class changes from a free class (where Council pays me $83 per class) to a user pays system where each person would pay $6 per class (and I get no payment from Council). 

If the user pays proposal proceeds, there would still be a booking system. You would need to book and pay online prior to the class.

The reasons why I’m proposing a change to user pays class are:

1. There is a lot of work managing bookings and the class code of conduct. It is becoming unfeasible for me to continue to do that for $83 per class. 
   
   
2. The class has become popular with classes becoming fully booked within a few hours of tickets becoming available. 
   
   
3. Last year, the Council received complaints about (a) the class being too big and unsafe; and (b) participant conduct within the class. Based on these complaints/feedback and after discussions with the Active and Healthy Team, a Class Code of Conduct was introduced (last year), and a booking system was put into place (this year). However, I am now receiving feedback about not being able to get a spot in the class because it’s fully booked. 
   
   
4. So I felt a user pays class would ensure that:
   (a) those committed to the class would attend (in my experience, when a fee is in place, class numbers drop by at least half); and
   (b) I was remunerated for the time and effort I am investing inside and outside the class. 

Why are some Active & Healthy classes free while others have a $6 fee?

Most Active & Healthy classes are free for residents and the instructor gets paid a flat rate by the Council. 

For popular classes, the Active & Healthy Team may allow the instructor to charge a $6 class fee for participants, which will replace the instructor payment from Council. 

When a free Active & Healthy class moves to a user pays class, the Council can redirect that funding to a new activity in a different suburb. 

Brisbane City Council Decision...

THANK YOU to everyone who completed the survey about my proposal to the Brisbane City Council.

Brisbane City Council have ACCEPTED my proposal to change the Zumba Gold Fitness classes at Sunnybank Community Centre to a user-pays model of $6 per participant from July 2025.

When Council reviewed the feedback, it appears some residents assumed the Sunnybank class was exclusively for seniors, however, it is OPEN TO ALL AGES.

With regards to FREE Zumba sessions for Seniors, the Council advised of the FREE classes below (with other instructors) which are in close proximity to Sunnybank:

Zumba Gold for Seniors at Calamvale District Park
Fridays 10:00am to 11:00am from 2 May to 6 June 2025
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/events/zumba-gold/173869254

Zumba GOLD for Seniors Greenways Esplanade Park, Parkinson
Fridays 8.30am to 9:30am from 2 May to 6 June 2025
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/events/zumba-gold/173869352

Please note that the current term of classes at Sunnybank Community Centre - from Wednesday 23 April to 4 June 2025 - remain at NO COST. Bookings are still required for each class, with bookings open Tuesdays 5:30pm (you will get a reminder email when bookings open).

View Zumba Gold Sunnybank Class Page