By DANE LILLINGSTONE
AFTER continued delays, seniors, social groups and sporting clubs can finally celebrate after the Southern Downs Regional Council rescinded their controversial lease fees in favour of a flat-rate fee at Wednesday’s general meeting.
Three different solutions were tabled over the previous two general council meetings but it was a simple motion put forth by councillor Jamie Mackenzie that ended the debate.
The new policy proposed to adopt a flat annual lease fee of $200 and after a short deliberation it was strongly supported by councillors.
It took two deferred decisions over three meetings and continued debate since the decision was introduced earlier this year to make a final decision. Full public galleries had accompanied recent meetings with many seniors storming out in audible anger in September as a decision was again deferred.
The community lease policy was adopted in April 2015 with a substantial rise and it was met with backlash in the community and specifically from senior citizens. The decision saw fees for community groups and sporting organisations rise to $750 annually for five-year leases and $600 annually for 10-year leases.
There were three options tabled in the meeting and they all included adopting a $250 flat annual fee however they all involved varying degrees of membership loading fees. Depending on gaming and liquor licences the lease fees would also introduce $3, $5 and $10 fees per member for clubs on top of an annual fee. Multiple councillors aired their concerns on the burden that would be placed on sporting clubs if membership fees were to be introduced.
Cr Jamie Mackenzie has been an outspoken critic of the rises throughout the meetings.
“The flat annual fee makes it simple and less work,” Cr Mackenzie said.
“These are kind, good, not-for-profit groups.
“We are dealing with community groups, they don’t need council to hassle them in any way.
“It would be nice not to charge them anything, like other local councils, but our council is on a watch list.”
Deputy mayor Ross Bartley has also been a vocal critic throughout the meetings.
“In future we need more discussion before such big fee rises,” Cr Bartley said.
“Consultation should be a priority.”
After months of deliberation the final decision was made quickly with no councillors opposing the new policy.
