By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) left a motion regarding the lease and maintenance of Stanthorpe Sports Association to “lay on the table” at the recent council meeting, causing unrest in the meeting.
The now delayed motion sought to renew the lease for the land occupied by Stanthorpe Sports Association, with the inclusion of special maintenance conditions that have been the centre of debate.
Stanthorpe Sports Association shared a post online the day before stating who has previously promised to support the motion.
This includes the Mayor and Councillors Stephen Tancred, Ross Bartley, Andrew Gale, Marco Gliori, and Cynthia McDonald.
Councillors Jo McNally and Sheryl Windle also publically stated at a 2016 election forum they would vote in favour of the Stanthorpe Sports Association.
Councillors Marco Gliori and Sheryl Windle were not present at the meeting.
Councillor McDonald stated that she believed that the Facebook post by Stanthorpe Sports Association could be seen to be influencing the vote.
She said it certainly applied a level of pressure, and she wanted to be sure the public had faith that councillors were going into the meeting unbiased.
She said she just wanted to ensure a fair process.
“No one wants to make a bad decision,” she said.
Councillor McDonald said she thinks it’s best to err on the side of caution.
The motion must be debated at one of the October meetings, as the association’s lease is up at the end of the month.
It is unclear how councillors will vote, and exactly who will stay in the meeting to do so.
Councillor Stephen Tancred has explained that he believes community sentiment must be taken into consideration.
He also highlighted the amount of funding the association obtains themselves for improvements to the facilities.
He stated that he did not agree with comparing the amount of greenspace in each community as “trying to compare them and get some sort of consistency ignores the history of each town’s development and what they value most”.
Councillor Tancred stated that even if there is more green space per head of population in Stanthorpe he did not think that was a good argument to stop maintaining it as the community values it.
He further stated it is hard to compare money spent in Warwick and Stanthorpe as they are different models and take different things into account.
“I think the best way to the engage with the great spirit of the Stanthorpe Sports Association and harness their volunteering powerhouse and continue to reap the financial advantages they bring to the table is to partner with them.”
Councillor Andrew Gale objected to the motion to delay voting on the lease, and the decision by Mayor Vic Pennisi not to allow a debate on it, stating “my voice has not been heard”.
This references a speech made by Councillor Cynthia McDonald in a meeting earlier this year, when she stated the revised media policy was silencing her.
Councillor Stephen Tancred also voted against the motion, which was moved by Councillor Jo McNally.
Councillors Cameron Gow, Cynthia McDonald, and Ross Bartley voted in support of the motion.
