Why can't community sports groups just play at the SSRP oval at no cost if no-one else is using it?

The SSRP was developed to be a regional, premier sports and events facility. The oval is currently used by several community sports groups on a casual basis and Council and the SSRP Board are actively pursuing additional user opportunities.

Council’s priority continues to be developing the SSRP in a way that increases the sport, recreation, economic and community development benefits for the park and our district – and that secures the long-term financial sustainability of the precinct and ultimately reduces the reliance on ratepayer subsidies for the facility.

Allowing any one organisation or club to play at the SSRP for a season without a licence, or without paying an appropriate hire fee, would create an inequity across the sporting clubs in the region due to the higher maintenance standards and facilities at the SSRP.

Council would not be able to afford to create the same amenity and standard of facilities across all other recreation grounds in the district, and the local user clubs would experience similar operating affordability impacts.