Sporting fees to rise for all clubs

When Wellington and Dubbo councils amalgamated, the newly-formed Dubbo Regional Council undertook the first review of its sporting fees in 20 years.

Dubbo Regional Council’s manager of recreation planning and programs Tracey Whillock said over the last few years council realised the current sporting fees were out-of-date, and greatly inequitable.

Council fully funds general grounds maintenance and cleaning of amenities, with clubs charged for line-marking, litter control and the preparation of equipment and wickets.

However, following consultation with the sporting clubs, Ms Whillock said administrator Michael Kneipp recommended a three per cent increase to all sporting clubs from their current fees.

In a report to council she said all sport specific requirements that were negotiated during the review will apply. However in regard to litter control, no subsidy will be provided to sporting organisations, which means the clubs will be charged at 100 per cent of council’s cost to undertake the work.

“This decision provides Dubbo Regional Council a further 12 months to refine the fees and charges that will effectively be applied in 2018/19 and allow consideration by an elected council,” Ms Whillock said.

It has also been recommended that 25 per cent of the total sporting organisation fees will go towards the Dubbo Regional Sports Council Improvement Fund, to be made available to Wellington and Dubbo clubs from July 1.

“Any existing funds within the Dubbo City Sports Ground Improvement Fund that have been collected from Dubbo clubs prior to the date of amalgamation will only be available to the former members of the Dubbo City Sports Council,” Ms Whillock said.

The changes were recommended at council’s Planning and Development meeting, and now a decision on the sporting fees will go before the March Ordinary Meeting on Monday.

*Wellington Soccer Club – $2,120

*Wellington Junior Rugby Club – $668.47

*Wellington Rugby Club – $2726.41

*​Wellington Little Athletics Club – $742.63

*Wellington Junior Rugby League Club – $577.83

*Wellington Senior Rugby League Club – $1,389.47

*Wellington Netball Club – $562.38

*Wellington Tennis Club – $562.38

*Wellington Touch Association – $1,336.94

*Dubbo and District Senior Cricket Association- $46,798

*Dubbo CYMS RLFC- $13,565

*Macquarie Raiders RLFC- $13,565

*Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League Association- $11,342

*Dubbo Rhino’s Rugby Club- $10,091

*Dubbo Rugby Club- $9,470

*Dubbo and District Football Association- $8,469

*Dubbo Touch Association- Summer- $8,420

Dubbo Netball Association- $7,103

Dubbo Westside RLFC- $6,194

Dubbo and District Junior Cricket Association- $5,523

Dubbo Athletics Club- $3,729

Dubbo Touch Association- Winter- $3,727

Dubbo Junior Rugby Club- $2,440

Dubbo Demons AFL Club- $860

Dubbo Cycle Club- $566