Council clarifies future sports complex use

BYRON Shire Council has rejected media comments by a sporting organisation official that implied Council should ignore its own processes to preference his group ahead of other sports groups in the Shire.

Council’s executive manager of community infrastructure, Phil Holloway, said Council had not given any assurance to Byron Bay Little Athletics that it would be free to use the new sports complex ahead of other users groups, despite contrary, public remarks by Little Athletics President Tim Gotterson.

“I have written to Mr Gotterson advising him that his group was not given permission to use the grounds each Friday night after the ‘opening day’,” Mr Holloway said.

“Mr Gotterson told the media that on three occasions he was advised his group could use the grounds each Friday night after the opening. This is simply not correct.

“I have never had a conversation with Mr Gotterson to that effect. But more importantly, I have made it clear to all user groups that the fields and facilities would not be used until sportsfield user agreements were in place.

“These agreements can only come into effect after Councillors agree to implement the draft sportsfields user policy, which makes provision for the agreements.

“This document has been on the public record since it was put before Council in April last year. There is nothing new in the fact use of the complex would only occur after this policy had been adopted and the agreements signed.”

Mr Holloway said it appeared as though there had been some confusion for sporting groups after the centre was exhibited to the public on February 10.

“Little Athletics did bring some equipment (highjump mats and hurdles) on the site for the purposes of the exhibition only,” he said.

“However there was no permission given for the group to keep the equipment there indefinitely.

“Council expected the equipment to be removed, but not after the evening exhibition given its finish time. As a result, Little Athletics was given keys to secure the equipment on the site, but with the expectation the equipment would be moved before the following Friday and the keys returned.

“Council was not informed that Little Athletics wanted to permanently move the equipment onto the site and. Had it been told of that intention, they would have been advised that was not possible.

“Council staff contacted Mr Gotterson last week to enquire when his group would be removing the equipment from the site after the exhibition. It was at that point he was asked to remove the equipment. Council offered assistance to do that.

“We obviously regret any confusion which has arisen, but the process for use of the complex has been on the public record for an extended period of time.

“To this end, Little Athletics has been asked to remove their equipment from the complex.”

Mr Holloway said it would not be long before all sporting groups would be able to use the new site.

“Use will begin once Councillors have voted on the draft policy, and user agreements have been signed. We cannot ignore proper process for one sporting group in the Byron Shire at the expense of others who are equally keen to use the complex.

“We appreciate sporting organisations are keen to use the site. However it is unsustainable to have a situation where use begins without any formal agreement regarding the boundaries of that use. It is not the way to manage a $17.5 million facility.

“It would be unfair for us to treat some users differently to others. We are striving to ensure all sporting groups are able to access the complex equally.”