A former Brimbank mayor has called on council administrators to reject plans to increase venue-hire fees for local sports grounds and pavilions.
As reported by the Weekly, community clubs could be slugged thousands of dollars extra in annual fees under a draft council policy.
Clubs now pay a flat $160 annual fee.
Former mayor Sam David urged administrators to keep prices affordable.
He said the council set a flat rate for non-commercial clubs and recreational groups in 2006, after collecting $89,734 the previous financial year.
“I plead with the administration not to make any changes to the original decision,” Mr David said. “The clubs are run by volunteers and most of them use their own finances to assist from time to time.”
Mr David said a 2005 feasibility study looked at leasing practices for local sports facilities and found keeping access affordable was a sound investment in the health of future generations.
“The truth is that the majority of those families are lacking the extra finance to pay for their kids to take on a sport of their choice,” Mr David said.
Council community well-being director Neil Whiteside said there was no record of any feasibility study.
“While the proposed policy will bring fees more into line with industry standards, clubs in Brimbank would still pay less than those in surrounding municipalities if they take advantage of the incentives offered,” he said.
“For example, a club that received the maximum incentives would pay only
20 per cent of the charges.”
The council will hold two information sessions at the Visy Cares Hub in Sunshine on April 10 and 14 from 6.30pm. Feedback can be provided to council until May 21.
