Members from three sporting groups breathed a sigh of relief last month after councillors voted unanimously to waive significant fees and charges for the 2018/19 season.
The Serpentine Jarrahdale Cricket Club, Serpentine Badminton Club and Jarrahdale Badminton were all successful in having their fees waived after raising concerns about their ability to meet the raised fees.
The waivers included an amount of $25,640 for the cricket club and $1407 for each of the badminton clubs.
Council also agreed to defer the consideration of a fee waiver for Mundijong Central Junior Football Club until such time as the booking details and value of the fee waiver could be determined.
As part of the 2018/19 budget adoption process council considered facility hire costs for sporting and community groups in the 2018/19 schedule of fees and charges as the previous financial year seasonal charges for junior sporting clubs equated to zero dollars.
Council previously indicated that it was important that all user groups made a contribution to the costs associated with the maintenance and operations of these facilities.
Serpentine Jarrahdale Cricket Club president Dean Fulford said it was satisfying to realise the appropriate outcome for our local cricket club and the community.
“Initially the committee was extremely concerned about the future of local cricket,” he said.
“The issue required and received a great team effort from the Serpentine Jarrahdale Cricket Club committee, members and supporters.
“It was also great to see the local community sporting groups come together in support of each other.”
Mr Fulford said with the decision now made the club could return its focus on providing family-orientated cricket for juniors, youth and senior cricket teams.
