BARWON Heads Football Netball Club will receive $20,000 per year for the next three years to help with the upkeep of its home ground at Howard Harmer Reserve.
\nThe City of Greater Geelong Council has agreed to provide funding to the club, which will be used on ground maintenance and watering.
\nBHFNC is the only local sporting club in the region operating on public land not owned or managed by the City of Greater Geelong.
\nHoward Harmer Reserve is on state government-owned land managed by the Barwon Coast Committee of Management (BCCM).
\nGiven that council generally provides a subsidy in excess of 85 per cent to maintain and water all other public grounds that local sporting clubs operate on, and after a review of the situation by City staff, it was found that Barwon Heads FNC is eligible for funding under the council\u2019s Fair Play Strategy.
\nAs a result, council has voted to fund 50 per cent of the club\u2019s $40,000 annual maintenance costs.
\nCouncil has also directed CEO Martin Cutter to write to the BCCM requesting that it provide the other $20,000 per year, consistent with its obligations to maintain community assets under its control.
\nThe decision is about demonstrating fairness and equity in how the council supports local sporting clubs who operate on public land, but does not shift any responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of the reserve onto the City of Greater Geelong.
\nMayor Bruce Harwood said BHFNC was in a unique position as the only community club in the region on public land not owned by the council.
\n\u201cWe support and subsidise all other sporting clubs on council public land, and we believe that for equity and fairness reasons, the club should also get some financial help,\u201d Mr Harwood said.
\n\u201cWe also call on BCCM to provide additional support to the club as well.
\n\u201cThe club makes an important contribution to the health and wellbeing of the local community, and this funding assistance will help them maintain their home ground to a high standard so that it\u2019s an appealing and safe place for players to train and play.\u201d
\nThe council also noted that the subsidy is being provided only because BHFNC operates on public land, and only uses the ground for part of the week.
\nThis means that when the club is not using the land it is available to be used by the community as public open space.
\nUnder the Fair Play Strategy, council does not subsidise sporting clubs on private land.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BARWON Heads Football Netball Club will receive $20,000 per year for the next three years to help with the upkeep of its home ground at Howard Harmer Reserve. The City of Greater Geelong Council has agreed to provide funding to the club, which will be used on ground maintenance and watering. BHFNC is the only […]<\/p>\n