This was sent to me last week
I'll edit to delete councillor emails
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Dear Member,
Balmain DFC urges members to email Councillors immediately (see suggested email below) to express disappointment that your club will be worse off for weekend sporting fields in 2013 despite the re-activation of Glover Road and Balmain Road fields.
Councillors on Tuesday night from 7pm will consider Council's report (ITEM 15) on the new sporting fields - CLICK HERE
The Executive Committee requests members ask Councillors to demand that Council officers adjust the proposed allocations to reflect the needs of Balmain DFC's resident players and parents.
The report fails to provide Balmain DFC, the largest club with residents who live in the LMC, with any additional Weekend allocations.
Unless Councillors re-consider, Balmain DFC - which has 1,940 members including 1,450 juniors will be forced to turn away children and adult players in 2013.
The report overall delivers new allocations to both smaller codes AFL (Birchgrove Oval) and Baseball (Glover Street). It leaves Balmain DFC will less allocations than 2012 despite the club's additional 210 players this year, and projections of a jump to over 2,300 by 2016.
Balmain Road will be shared between Leichhardt Saints and Apia Tigers each weekend. It is noted Apia received an allocation at Balmain Road despite the report showing Apia did not even lodge an expression of interest for either Glover or Balmain Road fields.
WEEKEND ALLOCATIONS
The report proposes all Balmain DFC allocations at Birchgrove on Saturday are moved to the proposed new 2 fields at Glover Street to accommodate AFL at a ground where soccer was first played in the 1890s.
On Sundays, Balmain DFC is to be allocated 9am to 12.00 (6 hours in total) at Glover Street. There is a possibility of an alternative Sunday afternoon (12.00 to 5pm) but this is not guaranteed and Council will not commit to it.
On that basis, Councillors are asked to approve a Report recommendation that means Balmain DFC LOSES Nine hours from the 2012 ground allocations.
All other allocations at Easton and Cohen are maintained.
Balmain DFC also uses Waterfront Drive at Callan Park, Balmain Secondary College and has been forced to take weekend allocations at Wentworth Park. These fields are not under the jurisdiction of Leichhardt Council.
While Balmain DFC acknowledges the argument in the report that there are benefits in Balmain DFC consolidating to the Glover Street (and Waterfront) fields for equipment storage as sensible, it rejects the failure to provide additional weekend allocations to the club.
EXECUTIVE COMMITEE VIEW
Balmain DFC has received no additional allocations despite the urgent needs of our members and dramatic jump in player and team numbers. Balmain DFC has actually lost 3 hours of field allocation on 2012 based on the report's recommendations.
There is the possibility of another 10 hours IF Baseball agree to share 12-5pm on every second Sunday.
Balmain DFC will request Councillors review the report and commit to ensuring additional Weekend allocation for the club. We are concerned that Council is not acknowledging the needs of our 1,940 members - the reason Balmain DFC uses many Council grounds is because we are a large club whose members live locally.
TRAINING - BIRCHGROVE OVAL
The Council report moves ALL weekday training for our junior and senior teams from Birchgrove to Glover Road to make way for AFL.
The Executive Committee is aware this will anger parents of our hundreds of Juniors who live in Balmain & Rozelle. It means parents will be required to travel across Darling Street & Evans Street during peak hour each week night.
There will be an additional 1,000-plus car movements. Some members have pointed out that some Councillors are lobbying against traffic congestion on the White Bay and Rozelle Towers issues. As such, Councillors should consider the impact on families, and the environment from this training allocation move.
EXECUTIVE COMMITEE VIEW ON OVERALL TRAINING ALLOCATIONS
Overall, it is likely the club can accommodate training needs in 2013 under the overall report recommendations. But on current projections there will be a shortfall in 2014 and beyond.
Consolidating training to Glover rather than at Birchgrove has some benefits. It is noted that there are many members who may find it easier to get to Glover Street field than Birchgrove if they live outside the Balmain Peninsula.
The report also suggests new lighting for Waterfront Drive (no time-frame) as a future benefit and this is supported. But it is noted that this idea is unfunded.
The Executive Committee acknowledges the concerns expressed by many Balmain residents about the proposed move from Birchgrove Oval to Glover Street, and acknowledges the high number of parents and junior players affected. On that basis, we accept Balmain DFC will request Council consider keeping at least 3.30pm to 5.30 training at Birchgrove oval for U6s-U11s.
SUMMARY
Balmain DFC appreciates the argument to provide new allocations to smaller sports like AFL and Baseball. However, it is disappointing that smaller codes by sporting activity choice and resident status are set to secure large Weekend allocations immediately new fields are available. Balmain DFC and other clubs have waited for decades for fields in Callan Park to be re-activated. Our campaign for additional fields for the last decade was not supported by many current Councillors and opposed by the Friends of Callan Park. Two Greens Councillors - Deputy Mayor Michelle McKenzie and Daniel Kogoy - in March voted against funding for the Balmain Road field. Members wil recall Balmain DFC secured immediate State Government support in December 2011 to develop Balmain Road for the 2012 season, but this was opposed by Greens Councillors and Independent John Stamolis.
Balmain DFC's preliminary analysis - to be confirmed - shows both Apia and Leichhardt Saints have received significant new Weekend allocations compared to Balmain DFC.
It is also noted that Balmain DFC will make it clear to Councillors that all 2012 arrangements are maintained for 2013 unless both Glover and Balmain Road are completed to schedule including lighting.
The EC has provided the following suggested email for Members to send to Councillors. It is also important that members attend the Tuesday night Council meeting at 7pm (Leichhardt Town Hall) to show support for the club's position.
While some members attended the critical meeting on Balmain Road in February, your club's goal of providing sporting activities for local residents for 2013 and beyond is now at risk and we need a strong showing at the Council meeting.
Please assist your Executive Committee on this important matter.
Yours sincerely,
Brian Frankham, Balmain DFC President on behalf of the Executive Committee.
Enquires: Brian Frankham secretary Glenn Burge
COUNCILLOR EMAILS
SUGGESTED EMAIL
Dear Councillor,
I note the LMC report in response to the EIO process for the Glover and Balmain Road fields.
It is very disappointing that Balmain DFC has not received additional Weekend Oval allocations despite the number of LMC resident members of the club.
And this means the needs of our 1,450 junior players . Balmain DFC will on the current tabled proposal be worse off than in 2012.are not met.
Balmain DFC will be forced to turn away local resident players in 2013 and future years unless Councillors show support for their local residents and increase the allocation to Balmain DFC for weekend games.
Our club is the fastest growing club in the LMC. It should receive ground allocations that reflect the number of residents involved in playing football, and not be penalised for being a large local community based club. Balmain DFC needs at least additional allocations on alternative Sundays at Glover Street.
In addition, the proposed move of Balmain DFC from Birchgrove Oval to Glover Street raises a significant issue. It means over 500 children will need to switch ovals for week night training.
This will add to traffic congestion. An expected 1,000-plus extra cars across local roads each week. This contradicts the current position of many Councillors on local road congestion.
Please review the LMC report and take into account the needs of your local residents. I would recommend that your consider deferring a final decision until the July Council meeting to allow additional time ton consider all options. And Councillors should conduct a post code audit of each sporting code's local resident player base as a major factor in their deliberations.
I urge all Councillors to support additional Weekend allocations for Balmain DFC.
Yours sincerely
(NAME)
BDFC member
