AFTER 36 years of operation, a rise in hall rental fees is likely to see the end of the Tenterfield Playgroup Association within 10 weeks.
Tenterfield Shire Council passed a resolution at last week’s October ordinary meeting to increase the group’s rental fees for the RSL Pavilion at the rear of the Memorial Hall from $5 an hour to $15 an hour.
Tenterfield Playgroup Association coordinator Veronica Harding said the 300 per cent rise would make it impossible for the playgroup to continue.
“We have probably got at most 10 weeks before we would have to close,” Mrs Harding said.
“This is council’s inability to see the value in a service for families in the area.”
The issue sparked debate among councillors with Tenterfield Shire Council’s youngest councillor Nick De Stefani wondering if Tenterfield was “anti-children”.
“Why are we so anti-kid in this town? Don’t we want people to grow up here?” Councillor De Stefani asked.
“This is why people my age move out of town,” the 29 year old said.
Council agreed to cut-price fees for the playgroup during its first year at the pavilion to help keep charges down and in recognition to the playgroup’s contributions to the facility.
In a report to council, Director of Corporate Services Jim Gossage said an increase in the fees would be detrimental for the Tenterfield Playgroup and could act as a deterrent to possible new members.
Mr Gossage said the reduced fees could be seen as giving playgroup special treatment, but the reasons behind the reduction were justifiable and would not cause any significant financial loss for council. He recommended that council continue charging the Tenterfield Playgroup a reduced rate.
The Tenterfield Shire Council did not agree and narrowly passed a resolution that recommended the playgroup’s fees be brought in line with official rent prices of $15 an hour.
“Why should we favour one group?” Councillor Phil Yates said. “I think they should pay the proper amount.”
Councillor Yates said it was unfair the playgroup could get a discounted rate when events such as the St Joseph’s Debutante Ball had to pay the full price.
Mayor Toby Smith said the playgroup was “something completely different” to the debutante ball.
Playgroup treasurer Wendy Roots said the not-for-profit playgroup operated on Mondays and Fridays for two hours with the assistance of volunteers.
“This is a service for stay-at-home mums and provides a social outlet for the kids,” she said.
Mrs Harding said about 10 families used the service, but more were required to keep it viable at a cost of $2 each child per session.
She said the council had failed to recognise the playgroup’s role in the upgrade of the hall.
“This building was renovated as a joint project by council, the playgroup and the RSL,” Mrs Harding said.
“Because of our involvement, council was able to get an extra $50,000 funding.
“Now they are more or less pushing us out by making it impossible for us to operate.”
Mrs Harding said playgroup fundraising had paid for outdoor play equipment at the Memorial Hall, which would stay at the hall but would no longer be available to the playgroup for use.
“Unless we have more families joining, we are going to have to disband and redistribute our resources to others around the state,” she said.
“We can’t raise the fees because stay-at-home mums don’t have the income to pay $20 a week.”
B To contact the Tenterfield Playgroup Association, ring Mrs Harding on 6736 5767.
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