The fees are from the 2016/17 year and relate to Tathra Sea Eagles Club user group which has an outstanding invoice of $3150 and the Bega Roosters Senior Rugby League Club which has an outstanding  invoice of $1059.

The Tathra Sea Eagles wrote to council requesting a waiver of fees citing the work a program of capital upgrades to facilities at Lawrence Park that they are organising.

The Bega Roosters Senior Rugby League Club paid $2061 of an original invoice of $3120 and requested the fee be dropped to $2500 due to the club’s financial difficulties, lack of canteen facilities for fundraising revenue and asked to be charged in line with the Pambula Rugby League Club. 

But director assets and operations Anthony McMahon said that sportsground fees contribute to the operational and maintenance costs of sportsgrounds and associated facilities. 

“While it is good to see site users interested and involved in capital asset renewals and improvements, the purpose of user fees is to make a contribution to operating costs at the sites,” Mr McMahon said.

“Operating costs such as power bills and grounds maintenance costs will continue to occur despite the capital upgrades being implemented. If there are not user contributions, the majority of council funding will be spent covering operational costs and the level of grounds maintenance able to be provided by council will reduce,” he explained.

While councillors were sympathetic they wanted to see the policy maintained.

Councillor Russell Fitzpatrick said that both clubs had done outstanding work on their grounds.

“All sporting bodies contribute enormously but that shouldn’t come into question when setting fees and charges. We have to stay strong and it may seem unfair to some. When we made the changes (to the fees and charges) it should have been brought up then. All other clubs have paid their money. I strongly move to stick with the policy,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.

The Pilates Bermagui user group also had an outstanding 2016/17 invoice of $680 but council staff said the group had ceased trading and was unable to be contacted, possibly having left the area.