Council grants footy club $8000 rates exemption

Toowoomba Regional Council has granted an iconic senior rugby league club a waiver of its general rates, but debate was sparked over the use of water.

The Brothers Leagues Club applied for an exemption from its $8800 general rates bill at Glenholme Park, which was applicable as part of the council’s community organisations policy.

While councillors unanimously voted on Wednesday for the waiver, Cr Nancy Sommerfield expressed concern about the fact the club’s junior counterpart, a separate entity, had long-overdue water bills with the TRC.

“I am aware we went over there to give them some advice on water use. Has their use reduced?” she asked rates and revenue principal Shayne Morris.

Mr Morris said both the senior and junior clubs had issues with inefficient watering systems, but the former was upto-date with its current bills.

“There are ongoing issues with Brothers Juniors, and that’ll be a subject of further council discussions in March,” he said.

“Basically one of the ongoing issues with Brothers Juniors is that they installed waTHE ter heads which are far greater than what it needs to be and the result of that is there is some significant wasting of water.

“Brothers Seniors don’t have an irrigating system as such they just have a travelling irrigator.

“Even with that, my understanding is that the watering system isn’t efficient so they need to have a re-think on their water strategy.”

Cr Bill Cahill said he would like to review the policy to consider all aspects of an applicant’s issues with the council.

THERE ARE ONGOING ISSUES WITH BROTHERS JUNIORS, AND THAT’LL BE A SUBJECT OF FURTHER COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS IN MARCH.

SHAYNE MORRIS, TRC