Courtesy: City South News


Futsal scuffle goes on

12 Dec 08

by Kelmeny Fraser

MOOROOKA: A battle over a futsal ban at Moorooka Sports and Community Club continues with Councillor Geraldine Knapp this week not ruling out a reverse of the decision pending community feedback.

“I am not ruling out that might be the outcome, that futsal stays and is managed better,” Cr Knapp said.

Cr Steve Griffiths (Moorooka) said he was concerned that council had decided to ban futsal following a complaint from a resident but had never discussed this with the Moorooka Bowls Club, Futsal Queensland or himself.

He has a requested a copy of a report on the situation from the Lord Mayor.

Club spokesman Don Fowler maintained the organisation had taken action to reduce noise, such as ejecting rowdy players.

Mr Fowler said complaints dropped after the club bought low-frequency whistles, following a meeting with liquor licensing officials.

However, one resident had continued to complain. A resident, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, said she spoke on behalf of 40 residents who had endured more than five months of failed attempts to get the club to comply with the hours of play permitted in the lease.

Mr Fowler said the club had been given permission by council, which owns the premises, to play between 5.30-9.30pm on weeknights, but was currently only playing three nights a week.

A council spokesman last week said the site should have been subjected to a development assessment so objections could have been lodged. But he said futsal was only allowed on a trial basis.

City South News has obtained a copy of a letter from council dated August 2007 stating: “The laying of an artificial turf on the subject site does not trigger a development application (DA).”

A 2004 council letter, when futsal started, also says a DA was not needed to convert bowls greens to futsal courts.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com