Council's recommendations to Springwood Country Club
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Blue Mountains City Council has recommended that Springwood Country Club seek a loan from private financial institutions to pay for works to remove Asbestos Containing Materials, prior to the Council formally responding to the club’s request that the Council expend funds on the golf course and improvements.
The removal of hazardous materials, plus the replacement of the clubhouse’s roof and the improvement of the existing sewerage system is estimated to cost about $500,000.
The Council also endorsed urgent talks between Council’s Chief Executive Officer (or her delegate) with club representatives, regarding the club’s changed position about what amount of money it was seeking from Council and in relation to expediting a business plan for the future management of the Club.
Following the Extraordinary Council Meeting about the matter, held on 26 September, Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “I don’t want to see a community club go under. I understand that they provide a place for people to go. During bushfires they have been there to support our community. We will do all we reasonably can to help.
“However, we are the custodians of ratepayers’ money. We must be prudent in how it is spent. Ever since we first voted to support the club we have been hit with surprises.
“First the dumped asbestos. Then finding that it was uncovered. Council intervened to put that right.
“Now the club has said it has no funded plan for the repairs needed to the club house, when we are offering to look at ways to help.
“This is despite the fact that the club’s lease requires them to maintain the building and the rent they pay is currently a fraction of the market.
“I hope we can help the club,” Cr Greenhill said. “I would rather see this land as a community asset and I certainly don’t want to see it fall into the hands of developers.
“But the club has to be predictable. We need to work together for a solution. No more surprises.”
The council will consider this matter again at the next Council Meeting on 29 October, 2019.