Councillor Russell Fitzpatrick has made a plea for more money from the Bega Valley Council special rate variation (SRV) to be directed towards sports grounds and facilities.
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It has been a subject close to Cr Fitzpatrick’s heart since the inception of the SRV which was originally raised to assist sports clubs. It was known as the sports levy.
However there was a move to broaden the way in which the money could be used and from financial year 2014/15 it could be used for access as well.
The change meant that projects such as the Beach Street Merimbula works could be funded from the annual revenue of just over $500,000.
The move resulted in little in the way of funds for sports clubs and their facilities and has prompted the sports ground committee to call for council to spend the money on sports facilities.
Cr Fitzpatrick said that in 2008 he and councillor Tony Allen moved a motion for a 50 cent levy specifically for sports facilities.
He said they encouraged the sports clubs to get behind the idea and back it, which they did and it resulted in a number of facilities getting upgrades.
“But there is frustration now because there is no money to do anything. People then believed they were supporting the infrastructure improvements.
“Now we’re spending that money on beach fronts and I fully understand the frustration of these sporting clubs,” Cr Fitzpatrick angrily told the council meeting.
“Now there is only $100,000 available for sports clubs,” he added.
Councillor Tony Allen hoped that further discussion and understanding of the issue could come about through a councillor workshop adding that the alternative uses for the money was not supported.
“They are not issues that the sporting public supported when they supported the SRV. They wanted their kids playing on good fields,” Cr Allen said.
In a reference to the way the use of the money was changed he said the premise of the SRV was “totally overturned”.
“There was absolutely no community consultation in the rollover, and no communication,” Cr Allen added.
However, councillor Jo Dodds said that the money supported a broader section of the community through “sports grounds facilities, trails and bike paths”.
Council has agreed to discuss the matter further at a councillor workshop.