By Juliano Oliveira
In what can only be defined as a heated session, the Southern Downs Region councillors have decided to delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer Dave Burges on the Stanthorpe Sports Association (SSA) lease renewal. The decision means that the CEO will be responsible for finalising the details of the rent and maintenance standards of the sporting facility.
The morning meeting started with Cr Jo McNally questioning the presence of Cr Stephen Tancred, continuing the dispute initiated at the last meeting when Mr Tancred had been asked to leave the room due to a conflict of interests.
Cr McNally also insinuated misconduct by Cr Tancred for a published article in which he “allegedly have altered figures to manipulate the public’s opinion”.
Several times, Mayor Vic Pennisi had to interfere, which sparked a fiery discussion between him and Cr McNally.
“Cr Tancred has the right to vote. We didn’t give him the opportunity to vote and participate in the last meeting. So there is no conflict of interest,” Mayor Pennisi said.
What was already tumultuous got even worse when Mayor Pennisi informed that the council had received a letter from a third-party naming the conduct of Cr McNally and Cr Sheryl Windle as mischievous during the SSA process.
“I have got information that you wanted me out of this meeting. I’m not going to be intimidated by you,” countered Cr McNally.
“You are out of order. I’m going to have to remove you from this meeting. Stop with the accusations,” Mayor Pennisi added.
The meeting had to be stopped with only the councillors remaining in the room. After several minutes, with the resumption of the session, Cr Tancred decided to step aside following the CEO’s recommendation.
In a more friendly mood, it was then defined that all participants would declare a conflict of interest. As a result, Mr Burges has the task of outlining the financial implications associated with the costs and determining the extent of the financial support to the Stanthorpe Sports Association under the special conditions of their new lease.
On October 13, a motion to renew the Stanthorpe Sports Association’s lease passed at the Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) meeting. The contract includes annual rent of $3360 plus GST and CPI increase and a requirement for all SSA affiliated clubs to hold free monthly ‘come and try’ events targeted at youth to encourage participation and showcase the sports associated with the facility.
