Signing off

By BRIDGET COOK
A MOVE by the City of Casey to ban sponsorship signs featuring local politicians from council owned properties has sparked a backlash from sporting clubs who fear they could lose vital funds..
At last week’s Casey Council meeting, councillors resolved to ban elected representatives and candidates at all levels of government from advertising on council owned properties.
Councillor Bob Halsall, who moved the motion, said such advertising represented a dangerous precedent.
“It’s quite inappropriate to allow council spaces to be used to advertise us,” he said. “Particularly, with council elections coming up.”
Local MPs and sporting clubs had slammed the decision, saying it could strip clubs of sponsorship money.
Cranbourne Cricket Club receives support from Cranbourne MP Jude Perera and Casey councillor Kevin Bradford, who both have signs erected at their home ground.
President Shaun Petrie said he hoped common sense would prevail and the motion would be overturned.
“I would have hoped Cr Halsall would have for a moment thought of the effect this would have on community sporting groups and the like,” he said.
“You’ve got to wonder what the motivation of this was, other than politics.
“We are all volunteer based, not-for-profit organisations doing a fantastic community service and this is a kick in the teeth for all the volunteers.
“It will be difficult for clubs to thrive without this sponsorship.”
Mr Perera said it was of great regret to hear the majority of councillors voted to scrap the signs.
“Money from these advertising boards duly helps grassroots clubs with much-needed financial support to run their clubs’ day-to-day operations,” he said.
Gembrook MP, Brad Battin, who supports the Berwick Football Club through a boundary sign, said the decision would hurt local sports clubs.
“There was absolutely no consultation with clubs or Members of Parliament before this was decided,” he said.
“This is an unnecessary and heavy-handed measure that will rip hundreds of dollars from sports clubs who work hard to raise every cent.
“The signs don’t have any political messages. Just my contact details.”
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan supports 10 clubs in his electorate, providing about $10,000 in funding all up.
“It is a worrying move by council which appears to be putting political interests ahead of local sporting clubs,” he said.
“These advertising signs do not carry political messages and simply let the community know how to contact an MP.”
Cr Simon Curtis, who voted against the motion, did point out at the council meeting that he worried the move would do local clubs out of money.
“We could be depriving clubs of funds they need to survive,” he said.
However Cr Wayne Smith, who voted for the move, said politicians could still support clubs and treat it as a donation.
Councillor Lynette Keleher said she only thought it was inappropriate during the caretaker period.
The motion was won, 6-3. Cr Bradford was absent during the vote, as he has a sign at a sporting club.