East Warrnambool-YCW president Luke Smith slams tenancy fee call

East Warrnambool-YCW president Luke Smith said the decision, which divided councillors at Monday's public meeting, would cause financial distress for clubs across the city.

Cr Ben Blain, who was one of three councillors to vote against the motion, on Monday said it wasn't fair and the city council shouldn't be hitting clubs for more money after they'd suffered due the COVID-19 pandemic.

The motion to send out invoices was passed in a 4-3 vote with councillors Blain, Vicki Jellie and Richard Ziegeler voting against.

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Smith said the impacts of COVID-19 were still affecting community sporting clubs.

He said his club, which played at Jones Oval on Ward Street, had lost three of eight paying sponsors it had pre-pandemic as the economic pain of coronavirus was felt in regional Victoria.

The summer tenancy fees were not included in the budget last year because it was unclear if summer sports would be able to resume, the council agenda said.

"As tenancy fees are not budgeted for, revenue will be additional income for 2020/21," it said.

Smith said it meant clubs hadn't budgeted for the fees and described the decision as a shock.

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He called on councillors to spend time consulting with community sporting clubs to understand the challenges they were facing.

"It wouldn't be hard for them to call a president and ask 'how are you feeling? How has it been through COVID?," Smith said.

He said cricket clubs, compared to football-netball outfits, had less revenue streams and were also feeling the pinch of restrictions on club functions which in turn affect bar sales.

Merrivale and Russells Creek cricket clubs will be hit with the highest fees of $6050.

Woodford, Wesley-CBC, West Warrnambool, Dennington and Brierly-Christ Church cricket clubs will have to pay $4033 each.

East Warrnambool-YCW and Nestles cricket clubs will each pay $2017.

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