Calls for a five-year freeze on sporting fees for football and netball clubs will be considered by Warrnambool City Council as part of its budget deliberations.
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The council has waived this year's winter sporting fees for sporting clubs across the municipality with the COVID-19 pandemic preventing competitions getting off the ground this year.
Now the AFL Western District wants those fees to be frozen at 2019/20 levels for the next five years as sporting clubs, and sponsors, try to get back on their feet.
AFL Western District commercial and operations manager Matthew Ross said it was seeking the freeze because of economic uncertainty, as well as a bit of recognition for the pace of the fee increases in the past five years.
Fees for football and netball league grand finals rose 84 per cent over five years from $501 to $912 in 2020-21 which followed an eight per cent increase the previous five years.
The statistics were outlined in AFLWD's submission to the council's proposed budget, and was one of eight taken into consideration at a special council meeting on Monday night.
Seasonal sportsground user fees had increased 107 per cent over four years from $4866 to $10,084, the submission said.
It also pointed out that AquaZone cost the council $570,000 each year which equated to $190 for every member compared to $61 for each football and netball participant.
"We just want it equitable," Mr Ross said.
He said they were not not being overly critical of council, but just seeking some security for the future of clubs.
Mr Ross said having seasonal fees waived by the city council for this year was a "fantastic outcome", and they had been given great support through the Reid Oval redevelopment.
However, he said clubs' finances were based on the success of local businesses, and many of those sponsors associated with leagues were doing it pretty tough.
Mr Ross said while he understood the council had lifted fees to help recoup the costs associated with maintaining facilities, it was "quite a considerable increase".
Mr Ross said they were just seeking acknowledgement of the benefits the volunteer-based clubs gave the community.
"In recognition of that we'd like to have some security around the future of our fees," he said.
"If they increase by another 100 per cent in the next five-year period, life's going to be tough."
Mayor Tony Herbert said councillors would consider submissions.
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