Businessman poses centre GST query
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A NATIMUK businessman as warned that the effect of the goods and services tax has not been factored into the cost of Horsham's mooted $6.5-million leisure centre.
Noel Zerbst has initiated a petition calling on Horsham Rural City Council to withdraw from the centre on the grounds that even without the GST, it was beyond the municipality's financial means.
RELATED, 2018: Residents call for sports stadium in Horsham’s west
Mr Zerbst said he was concerned residents were sliding into apathy on the issue, convinced that the fight against the centre was a 'lost cause'.
"The fight is not over - people should not be thinking 'if it's going to be, it's going to be'," Mr Zerbst said.
The bottom line is that we cannot afford the centre.
- Noel Zerbst
"The cost of these projects always skyrocket during the construction phase - often by as much as a third.
"The only way it could be paid for, is by an increase in rates or a withdrawal of finance from some other council service.
"The municipality is already serviced by an indoor sports centre and there is a privately-owned heated swimming pool.
"Business people have had their backs to the wall for the last eight months - the added impost of the centre would send many broke."
RELATED, 2018: Plans for a proposed multi-purpose sports stadium on halt
He branded a suggestion that pokie machines in the centre could help offset the cost as absurd, given that gambling was already a huge community problem.
Mr Zerbst said people in outlying parts of the municipality would have to drive long distances to use the facility and then have to pay admission.
As well as the cost of building the centre, there is the operating cost, which is thought to be about $500,000 a year. And how much have we spent on it already?
- Noel Zerbst
He wasn't against the concept of a heated pool, but if it had to be built it should be an upgrading of the current outdoor facility.
St Helens Plains resident George Powell said the whole leisure centre push was a continuation of the Kennett Government's 'sponge centre' mentality.
"Brainwashing ratepayers to accepting an annual $500,000 debt for a questionable sporting venue doesn't seem just when our region is facing a questionable economic future because of declining population," Mr Powell said.
"Can the people be presented with an analysis for proposed budged expenditures for the next 15 years?"
Mr Zerbst has placed petitions in many Horsham businesses including corner stores. They have attracted several hundred signatures in a little more than a week.
An earlier petition, which attracted 600 signatures 12 months ago, had little impact on the previous council. Late last year the council stressed that a final decision would have to be made by the new council, which was elected earlier this month.
Former Mayor Bernie Dunn said in November that the community had shown strong support for the centre but much work was needed before the council committed ratepayers.
Cr Dunn said the $6.5-million price tag estimated by a Melbourne architectural firm had taken the council by surprise.
Cr Kevin Dellar said at the same meeting that this was Horsham's last chance to gain a state-of-the-art multi-purpose centre.
"If Councillors throw away the opportunity now, continually rising costs could make another attempt impossible," Cr Dellar said.
The previous council estimated the public would have to contribute at least $1 million for the centre to proceed.
The facility, planned for McPherson Street, would have three pools, two basketball courts, a netball court with a stadium, gymnasium, creche and a cafe
A stage one option, which included eight-lane, hydrotherapy and children's pools would cost $4.27 million.
City applies for leisure centre cash
HORSHAM Rural City Council has lodged an application for $2.5 million funding toward the cost of the municipality's proposed leisure centre.
But council chief executive office Kerryn Shade said the application did not necessarily mean the controversial $6.5-million project would proceed.
"If we wanted to be considered for funding from the Department of Sport and Recreation, the submission had to be in by March 31," Mr Shade said.
"But the submission makes it absolutely clear that the application is conditional on the new council ratifying the proposal."
Opposition to the centre has centred on its multi-million cost to ratepayers and duplication of existing facilities
Proponents have argued that the city needed an indoor heated pool, which would be the centre's centrepiece, and an 'all-in-one' sports complex.
Grant decisions will be announced in June.
