Dear Beagle Editor, Not a Smashing Idea!
Consider this: Eurobodalla Shire Council proposes changes that will double the price of participation in <insert your favourite sporting/community/cultural activity here> without providing any valid reason or justification.
When you ask Council “why?”, their only response is to tell you to “put in a submission”.
When you ask Council, “but surely you must have a plan or reasons for such a dramatic change”, their response is again, “put in a submission”.
When you ask Council, “how does one comment on plans that have no detail, background, budgetary modeling or rationale”, Council says……yes, you’re way ahead of me.
Remind anybody of an old Abbott and Costello routine “Who’s on First?” It would be funny if it wasn’t so serious.
Well, this is the situation faced by Tennis Clubs using Council tennis courts. And if you don’t play tennis at these clubs, you probably feel it doesn’t concern you.
But next time, it could well be your hall, clubhouse, sporting field, art show etc that is subject to such arbitrary and ill-conceived decisions if this type of decision-making by Council is allowed to continue.
A copy of Tuross Head Tennis Club’s submission to Council regarding the impact on Tennis Clubs of the proposed changes to fees is available at the link below if you are interested, but in summary:
1. The change in fee structure will increase court usage fees incurred by players by between 75% and 110% (around $250.00 per year for some players)
2. The change in fee structure will be unwieldy and impractical to administer
3. Council has provided no reasonable justification, rationale or budgetary modeling for the change
4. The increase in fees and the associated administrative burden is likely to see the collapse of organized tennis groups and result in tennis clubs folding
Submissions to Council regarding 2017/2018 Draft Fees & Charges close 6th June, 2017.
Brian Carmichael
Secretary, Tuross Head Tennis Club Inc.
