Questions raised after Council sportsground inspections
VOLUNTEER groups at Beerwah Sportsground have been told to safely store ‘hazardous material’ including washing detergent, Morning Fresh, and were locked out of their own switchboards after a series of Council audits.
The audits followed the Sunshine Coast Council’s takeover of the Sportsground, which is home to clubs including Lions, Festuri, the Pony Club and Beerwah Bulldogs, in July.
Frustrations over the audits even resulted in the Lions being threatened with eviction from the grounds.
Long-serving volunteer and Lions president, Rod Layt, was involved in a verbal interaction between Council and contractors where he suggested to one that “the left foot doesn’t appear to know what the right foot is doing”.
It followed the results of a visual inspection, which he said contained “glaring abnormalities” and growing frustration at the lack of communication between the Council, contractors and volunteers.
The interaction was escalated to Council, which threatened the Lions with eviction.
A letter to the club stated a volunteer had abused technicians; didn’t follow direction of Council’s contractors; and made derogatory comments about Council officers.
“Further non-compliance with Council’s directives may result in a reconsideration of future tenure arrangements with Council,” the email to the club stated.
Mr Layt subsequently wrote to the Council saying he hoped that the “viability of our community service not be impeded”. After investigating the incident, Council have confirmed they now consider the matter closed.
Mr Layt said he was frustrated the club’s volunteers appeared to be undermined and was seeking a “workable operation for an establishment that the Lions club has strived for over a great number of years to achieve”.
Of particular frustration was the placing of a padlock on the club’s switchboard. The club were only made aware about the change when they saw the meter box had been padlocked.
They were later told by the Council that only a qualified electrician could now access the meter.
“We’ve got hundreds of dollars worth of food at times that would be used for volunteer events,”
Mr Layt said.
“Now, instead of flicking the power back on we have to call Council who has to call an electrician who may or may not have the time to come out and fix the problem.
“It’s ridiculous. We’re not children. We’ve been doing this for years and now we’re being told it’s against the rules.”
A Sunshine Coast Council Spokesperson said that the electricity switchboards were locked in accordance with relevant codes of practice and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents and visitors.
While not saying if it considered Morning Fresh a hazardous material, it recommended tenants review the applicable “Material Safety Datasheet for information on the potential hazards associated with any chemicals they might use”.
Regarding the threat to expel the Lions Club from the Sportsground, the Council spokesperson said: “Council has a Duty of Care to ensure that staff and contractors carrying out site inspections are able to perform their duties in a safe and satisfactory manner.”
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