KENTHURST NO. 1 GROUND LOST AS A TURF WICKET

The Hills Shire Council (BHSC) made a decision during their December 2011 General Meeting, to pass on all costs of maintenance of the Kenthurst turf cricket wicket to the HK&HDCA and Kenthurst Cricket Club.

Council claim these turf wicket costs are in the vicinity of $48K annually (which the HK&HDCA vigorously disputes). These claimed costs will make retaining this ground as a turf cricket wicket completely unsustainable.

Council also made the decision to strongly support the only other user of turf cricket wickets in the Council area, Norwest Hurricanes Shires Club (who have access to 3 turf wicket grounds), to the tune of a 75% subsidy of all their maintenance costs on all grounds. This was not considered by Council for the HK&HDCA.

It is the contention of the HK&HDCA that Council staff denied the Association “natural justice” by failing to undertake any consultation with the Association (unlike other turf wicket users in the Council area) about a recommendation which would have such adverse consequences. This prevented any chance the Association had of putting their case to the Councillors before they made their decision to pass on these massive costs to a volunteer sporting organisation. The Councillors’ decision in December 2011 was based on a report prepared by Council staff. The Association strongly believes this report was unbalanced and inaccurate.

On the basis of the “denial of natural justice” and the manifestly unreasonable decision of the Council, the HK&HDCA is requesting BHSC rescind their December 2011 decision and prepare a new report for consideration. This will give the Association an opportunity to put its case for Council to make an informed decision. It is not an unreasonable request.

Having a turf wicket at Kenthurst (which was originally paid for by the cricketers) is crucial to the HK&HDCA’s premier A grade competition as well as a key development tool for talented young cricketers to develop in their sport. Over the past five years from the Kenthurst CC alone, over 20 young cricketers have progressed to the Sydney Grade competition including a number to first grade.

To support the HK&HDCA in their fight to correct this terribly unjust Council decision.