Scheme in play

By Casey Neill
KNOX council has approved stage one of a $65 million sporting precinct despite serious financial concerns.
Councillors were divided at their 23 September meeting about how to fund the $27 million first stage of a basketball stadium development.
All agreed more basketball facilities were needed in Knox and supported moves to acquire State Government land for the project.
However, several councillors expressed concerns about plans to take out a multi-million dollar loan.
In November 2006 Knox Basketball Incorporated (KBI) asked the council to expand its Boronia stadium, prompting a review.
The Knox Basketball Facilities Working Party was formed in 2007 and included KBI, Sport and Recreation Victoria and Knox Council representatives.
The group last week recommended the council construct a 10-court stadium in three stages over the next 15 years to address a shortage of basketball and soccer facilities. The proposed centre includes basketball and netball courts, synthetic soccer pitches and gymnastics facilities.
Stage one will include six new courts within the next five years.
Three courts will be included in stage two in the following five years at a cost of $15 million.
Another will follow five years later depending on membership growth.
Twenty-six hectares of State Government land in Wantirna South has been earmarked for the development.
The land is next to 21 hectares of council property, creating a 47 hectare site.
The council is calling on the State Government to fund half of stage one and will borrow $10 to $15 million.
It will also seek cash from the Federal Government and other sporting groups before detailed planning begins.
Councillor Adam Gill questioned how much funding the council should contribute given the stadium would become a regional facility. “Whatever we borrow has to be paid back through rates,” he said.
Cr Gill said the council should meet with soccer groups and the Federal Government before committing funds to the project and securing State Government money.
“Should we be borrowing $10 to $15 million when we haven’t spoken to all relevant stakeholders who could potentially put money into this project?” he said.
“I don’t think we’re ready to make this funding application. A year would give us the opportunity to work it out.”
But CEO Graeme Emonson said the council needed to demonstrate ‘serious intent’ to secure the land and waiting 12 months would not satisfy the State Government.
Cr Karin Orpen expressed concern about such a significant loan when the council had been debt free since 1995.
She said borrowing $15 million would cost the council $12 million more in total repayments than borrowing $10 million and refused to commit when the figure was uncertain.