TODAY sporting groups in the Shoalhaven were relieved to hear council’s proposed sporting tax has been abandoned.
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“It’s a win for Shoalhaven sport,” Shoalhaven District Cricket Association president Craig Howsan said.
”For the average punter it means they can stop worrying about the immediate impact of these fees, and concentrate on playing sport.”
Council was planning to introduce a user-pays system at Shoalhaven sporting fields, a system that was immensely unpopular among local sporting groups.
To prevent more work being done on plans that would not be supported by councillors, Cr Nina Cheyne raised the urgent matter during a strategy and assets committee meeting on Tuesday night.
Fed up with the continual suggestion that council should tax sporting groups, Cr Greg Watson supported Cr Cheyne’s motion, and added an amendment that will ensure the matter is dropped for a decade.
”My concern over this matter is every time there’s a change of mayor this old chestnut gets trotted out,” he said.
“It’s gotta stop.”
Councillors also voted to spend $500,000 on sporting facilities on maintenance and renewals over the next few years from the rate rise.
Mr Howsan welcomed the funding, on the proviso it’s spent in consultation with people who use the grounds.
“If their plan is to maintain the status quo, it’s a waste of time and money,” he said.
“I’d like to see it spent on getting amenities built, and parking and lighting where needed.
“There are facilities that have been abandoned due to lack of basic things like that.
“I hope council will sit down with users and find out what they really need.”