May 2, 2013
South Burnett Regional Council staff will prepare a proposal for an upgrade of the Maidenwell Sportsground – including the provision of more power outlets – following a public meeting held tonight.
About 40 people had gathered at Maidenwell Hall to discuss the future of the Maidenwell Tennis Courts.
The meeting was organised by Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and Division 2 councillor Deb Palmer after suggestions had been made about how best to spend Budget money which had been allocated to Maidenwell.
Mayor Kratzmann said $5000 had been set aside in Council’s 2012-13 Budget for repairs to the tennis courts but realistically this was not enough for the project.
At the same time, the Gas Guzzlers Club had spoken to Council about getting more power available in the sportsground area for their annual car show.
Cr Kratzmann said his first thought was … “that $5000 from the tennis courts, let’s spend it on the power, and we’ll look at getting a grant later for the tennis courts”.
He had also learned that local tennis players were now using the courts at the Tanduringie State School, so perhaps the courts were no longer needed.
But Cr Kratzmann said no decision was going to be made without consulting the people of Maidenwell.
The Mayor said there was also some good news for the meeting to consider.
Preliminary Budget discussions for 2013-14 had identified some money that had been pigeonholed for somewhere else that was no longer going to be used there.
“So we grabbed it for Maidenwell,” he said.
This could be $40,000 to $45,000 but the project must have community consensus.
He said it would be impossible if 49 per cent of the community wanted one thing, and 51 per cent wanted the other.
“We have got some money in the Budget if you want it for something. Deb and I are ready to endorse it if you tell us.
“But we need consensus. If you guys don’t want it, the money will be grabbed by Kumbia or Tingoora or Wooroolin.”
Cr Kratzmann said similar opportunities had been presented to Murgon, which decided to build a skate park, and Wondai, whose residents elected to develop a Village Green to link the two sides of the town.
The meeting discussed the pros and cons of encouraging more caravans and motorhomes, and the possible construction of a dump point for them, as well as power issues at the Rural Fire Brigade Shed and the tennis courts.
After fielding a series of questions, Cr Kratzmann suggested that Council prepare a concept for future development of the Maidenwell Sportsground, perhaps in stages over a number of years.
The meeting then could then re-convene in four or five weeks to take a look at the proposal and provide feedback.
The Tennis Court area would be part of Stage 1 of the proposal.
