We do not support the Tamworth Regional Council’s proposed increase in sporting fees using their current model. Their model involves two components: 1. Costs to be recovered for preparing and maintaining the cricket fields; 2. A Hire fee for the use of the grounds. TRC advises their proposed model creates a “clear, equitable and consistent approach to sports field charges”. We, the Community of Cricket disagree.
Tamworth has a large community of cricket, offering a sport to people of all ages, genders, skill levels, and economic backgrounds. Tamworth Cricketers compete at the highest level in the region and demonstrates significant support for visiting teams from across the State.
Whilst the TRC have considered our concerns on the monetary effect it will have on Cricket players, they will decide on 28th June to proceed with the proposed increase in fees of 103%. Our fees will double and cause damage to not only our Cricket community, but the broader community of Tamworth. Tamworth Cricket, along with other sporting groups bring a significant financial gain to local Tamworth business and to be slugged with their proposed increase will affect all players. Once this increase is set, players are expected to withdraw from the game, especially families with multiple players, single and low income families, pensioners and the unemployed. The remaining players will then need to absorb these costs. Our 4th grade will be mostly affected as this is a father/son competition. This is “Unfair”.
Tamworth Cricket hosts various carnivals throughout the year representing all levels from juniors to seniors. Tamworth Cricket will not be able to afford to continue to host these Carnivals due to the increase in ground fees and TRC will decide on what extra fees to charge for these Carnivals on a case by case basis. This is unacceptable. The increase in fees will cause our visitors to attend Carnivals elsewhere, more likely to venues with better maintained facilities. This will affect our local business.
The TRC model charges for the useage of the whole cricket field. Why should we pay for ground we don’t use? The fee should be calculated for the area we use mostly – the area within a 30m radius from the cricket pitch. Within this radius is where the TRC does most of their preparation. By charging us only for this area will significantly reduce our fees.
Tamworth Regional Council needs to review their proposed fees to a more reasonable and acceptable amount to support our community. In order for our wider Cricket Community to enjoy the benefits that Cricket brings to Tamworth, we ask TRC to remove the hire charge for the grounds and review their proposed model to calculate the fee based on their time to prepare and maintain the area within a 30m radius of the cricket pitch.
We need your support to convince TRC to do this.
Please sign this petition to show your support for Tamworth Cricket’s bid to stop the proposed charge for hire of the cricket grounds and please forward this to your friends and family that would love to see our sporting communities continue and not be restrained from hire fees for the use of recreational grounds which should be provided free of charge to our community.