In a delayed response to the Advocate, the council's community wellbeing general manager Kelly Grigsby said the group was considered a casual user as it did not hold regular weekly or monthly meetings and was therefore covered by its policy.

Ms Grigsby said the group would be charged at casual hire rates for the use of the Delahey Community Centre.

As reported last week, the group of residents, who lobby for upgrades to the Calder Freeway, had to cancel its most recent meeting - scheduled for June 11 at the Delahey Community Centre - when asked to provide proof of liability insurance, which costs $1000 a year. The group's secretary, Paul McLoughlin, told the Advocate the meeting - one of five scheduled annually - was relocated to Bulla.

Casual hire rates were provided to a number of groups accessing the council facilities, Ms Grigsby said.

"In 2008-09, the council has covered 1195 casual hires to support community groups' and organisations' access to, and use of, the council facilities.

"The hire fees are in line with the council's user fees and charges set rates for hire for a number of council facilities. Regular users of council facilities are required to have their own public liability insurance coverage."