Shire of Harvey decision to rebuild three of Brunswick Tennis Club’s four courts described as “backward step”

The Brunswick Tennis Club has described the Shire of Harvey’s decision to replace only three of its four old courts as a “backward step”. The council voted at last week’s meeting to take control of the construction project from the club to restart works, nearly eight months after they were halted following a shire error. The decision will see the project cost more than $360,000, but reconstructing all four courts would have cost upwards of $460,000. After council made its decision, the club posted on its Facebook page updating its members on the outcome. “We have had four courts for many decades so it’s a shame to see this backward step,” the post read. The project had been in limbo since the Shire of Harvey ordered work to stop in December after it was realised council approvals were not in place. Speaking at the meeting, club president Julianne Hill said the group was “still reeling” from the construction delays and how difficult the project had become. “Our club has declined in numbers now from about 60 juniors to about 15 at the end of Term 1 and that was because we didn’t have any courts,” she said. “The kids were not going to come, even though they had indoor courts to play on — we only had one court. We don’t want that to happen again — we’re really keen to make sure we do complete this project.” Following questioning from councillors about whether four courts were needed and if the facility could be used “more effectively”, Ms Hill said junior players were only able to train on Tuesdays due to commitments with other sports and the courts were also used for pickleball. Ms Hill said in-kind contributions from the club’s supporters could reduce costs of the construction project by about $150,000. Deputy shire president John Bromham supported only three courts being constructed, noting the substantial cost of doing all costs. “I think this is the best outcome for the council and the club moving forward, and the general community and the ratepayers,” he said. Cr Robyn Coleman opposed the decision, saying the club started the project to reconstruct four courts. “Through no fault of their own to a large degree, they are now looking at three courts, and I think given the expansion they want to do ... I think the four courts should be on the cards,” she said. The decision was passed 6-3, with Cr Coleman, Cr Wendy Dickinson and Cr Alicia Hitchcock in the minority.