Several Brimbank sporting clubs are considering the formation of a bloc to appeal against Brimbank council’s new venue hire fees which could increase charges by as much as 500 per cent.
At a special information session on Thursday night at the Sunshine Visy Care Hubs, 16 representatives from athletics, tennis and bowls clubs voiced their concerns with the new draft policy to concil officers.
Clubs currently pay a flat $160 annual fee, raising about $7000 a year for council.
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Sydenham Tennis Club treasurer Stacie Simon said her club would struggle to pay $1498 in annual fees.
“That’s huge for us,” she said. “We receive minimal payments (for the hire of club facilities)… they use the facility for basically nothing.
“We don’t bring in enough money to cover it (the new fees). There is no support for clubs with leases.”
Sunshine Park Tennis Club president Craig Vaughan said his annual fees would increase by 500 per cent at a club which badly needed investment.
“We’ve not had a fee increase in four years, but with Tennis Victoria putting up their fees, we’re dead in the water,” he said.
“Let’s get together (for a meeting), without council.”
St Albans Bowls Club secretary Judith Herd said her club was in danger of closing.
“It’s ridiculous, we’re struggling paying our bills, our club could just fold,” she said.“Why is it necessary to pay so much more now?”
However, a council spokesperson said its current fee structure was out of step with the industry, and would aim to collect “under $100,000” under the new charges.
“We’re asking for a little bit more from clubs,” he said. “We invest up to $2 million each year back into grounds and pavilions, it’s not a heap of money we’re asking for.”
The council is urging clubs to take advantage of discounts which can slash charges by up to 80 per cent.
The next information session will be held at the Visy Cares Hub on April 14 from 6.30pm. Clubs have until May 21 to make a submission.
