Byron Shire residents have a chance to give their council some feedback on proposed new charges for sporting fields.
The user fees are back out on public exhibition for community comment until Friday 25 May. And Byron Shire Council (BSC) says its aim is to recoup 15 per cent of the cost of maintenance from users.
BSC’s executive manager of community infrastructure, Phil Holloway, said the draft Sports Field User Policy was amended following submissions from sporting groups and community organisations at the end of last year.
He said the main change was that local schools will now be exempt from paying a fee when using a sporting field for normal weekly school sport activities and a flat fee of $2 per student for sporting competitions.
‘Sporting club finals will now also form part of the seasonal hire of the fields and not incur a separate charge.’
‘The Shire’s fields have been rated from one to four, depending on the facilities that are located at the sports grounds, and will be charged per season.
‘For example, the Eureka Playing Field will be rated 4b as the grounds feature only one sports field with no facilities or toilets, and will have a seasonal fee of $156.
‘On the other hand the new Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex will be rated 1 as it has competition-standard lights, irrigation, multi-user amenities, canteens, storage facilities, car parking, and will have a seasonal fee of $780 per field.’
Sporting groups will also be responsible for the cost of electricity if used at the sports grounds.
Mr Holloway said Council had purchased floodlight control and monitoring systems, which will be installed at Bangalow, Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay Recreation Grounds. The new system is already in use at the BRSCC.
‘All feedback on the draft policy and submissions will be welcomed and should be sent to Council no later than Friday 25 May,’ Mr Holloway said.
All community submissions will be reported to Council for further consideration.
The Draft Policy and the Draft Fees and Charges for Casual Use are available for viewing at Council’s administration office, community access points around the Shire and on Council’s website at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/public-exhibition.
Submissions should be made in writing and addressed to the General Manager, Byron Shire Council, PO Box 219, Mullumbimby 2482 or sent by email to [email protected]
