Council casts doubts on Kogarah
12/11/02

Written by: R2K

A report from Kogarah Council's General Manager has cast doubt on the return of the Dragons to Kogarah in 2003. At the latest regular Council meeting (11/11/2002), a report was lodged which emphasised the importance of obtaining the grant for $400,000 under the Regional Sports Facility Program with the Department of Sport & Recreation.

Gary Sawyer, Council's General Manager stated that, "The reality of the Dragons back to Kogarah proposal is that without the State Government grant monies the proposal will not proceed unless the Leagues Club is willing to fund the proposal 100%. The Leagues Club have not indicated they are willing to do this. The importance of obtaining the grant is crucial."

A decision on the grant application is expected this month and Sawyer urged Dragons supporters to contact their local State member in support of the proposal.

Significantly, the development application for the refurbishment works is yet to be lodged. The purpose of Sawyer's report was to seek approval to progress the project by undertaking the following actions:
(i) Lodging a development application for the works.
(ii) Seeking Department Of Land and Water Conservation (DLAWC)
consent, as owner of the Oval, to lodge the development application.
(iii) To prepare and conclude an agreement with St.George Leagues
Club regarding the responsibilities and liabilities of the Club and
Council in undertaking the project.

Sawyer confirmed that Council has almost finalised a development application for the works:
"In order to achieve the project's completion by the first game the development application will need to be lodged as soon as possible. Council will need consent from the (DLAWC) to do this and it is suggested that assistance be sought from the Member for Kogarah, Ms Cherie Burton, to ensure an expeditious response from the Department."

The Leagues Club and Council have been in negotiations on a number of issues which should be "reduced into a formal agreement incorporating the club underwriting the $400,000 dollar for dollar grant application to the Department of Sport & Recreation by Council." The following outlines the terms to be covered in the Agreement:
(i) Underwriting to meet any shortfall in fundraising to match the
Department of Sport & Recreation grant application to a maximum sum
of $400,000.
(ii) Determining the scope of works to be carried.
(iii) The timetable for works
(iv) The Club's responsibility for payment of the works.
(v) Responsibility for letting the contracts.
(vi) The appointment and role of the superintendent.
(vii) The operation of the steering committee
(viii) Fundraising issues
(ix) Responsibility for maintenance of new works.

Unfortunately, it looks as if neither Rockdale or Hurstville Councils will be willing to contribute any money to Jubilee Oval this financial year when the funding is required. Sawyer stated that this is "unfortunate having regard to the Dragons being the only regionally identifiable icon." However, Kogarah Council has already committed "expenditure and works and services in kind in excess of $50,000 to the project."

Sawyer finished his report by stating that, "It is clear from matters to date that it is up to the State Government, Council and the Club to ensure the proposal goes ahead."

R2K also urges all supporters to contact their local State member in support of the proposal. Hopefully Kogarah Council and the St.George Leagues Club have a contingency plan such as a naming rights sponsor in the event of the grant application being unsuccessful. The record sale of season tickets for 2003 completely justifies the return of the Dragons to the St.George district and there should be no turning back in the event of the grant application being unsuccessful.


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