The John Foord Oval Facility Advisory Committee has been established by Federation Council with a Terms of Reference which will include representation of several user groups.
The working group will be similar to the advisory committee established for the Corowa Aquatic Centre Pool and the ongoing Corowa Saleyards Consultative Committee.
It is hoped that the establishment of this advisory committee will consider and explore how a new facility could be fully funded, including available grants and other opportunities that may arise.
The subject arose at Federation Council’s latest monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 27. Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club officials Rowena Black and Shaun Whitechurch, as councillors on Federation Council, declared pecuniary interests and left the chamber.
Mayor Pat Bourke will act as chairperson and Cr David Fahey OAM will be deputy chairperson.
The committee’s make-up will include council staff, representatives from Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club (main user), representative from Corowa Rutherglen Junior Football Club (current user), representative from Corowa Auskick (current user), representative from Corowa Playgroup (current user), representatives from the Ageing Well Committee and Youth Council, community representatives and school/s representatives.
Council is seeking nominations for two community representatives for committee. Following the 2022 flood which caused extensive damage to the Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club (CRFNC) clubrooms, a Working Group was set up in September 2023, called the ‘John Foord Oval Facility Working Group’ comprising representatives of user groups and council staff.
This working group was set up and administered externally to council. The group’s aim was to work towards building a new multi-purpose facility at John Foord Oval to replace the flood damaged clubhouse as supported by the current users of the facility.
“A review of this working group has determined, which has been voted and agreed by members of the working group, that this group would be more suited as a formalised advisory committee of council,” council’s director of planning place and sustainability Susan Appleyard said.
She stated the main reasons for establishing the new group include: the current and any new buildings are council assets; clear and established processes under a council advisory committee structure; defined roles and responsibilities outlined in a Terms of Reference, endorsed by council; direct link to council's consultation, approval, and decision-making processes.
The clubrooms are situated on Crown Land which is under Federation Council's care and control as the custodian of this land under the Crown Lands Management Act 2016.
Decision welcomed by club
CRFNC President Graham Hosier described the council resolution as “a good move”. “By having council representatives on this new committee, they can understand the plight of the club,” he told The Free Press.
“A club needs a clubhouse. We have the canteen building from the saleyards and we’re in the process of getting access to it and to another container canteen and meeting room.”
Mr Hosier said the club’s goals are for a new clubhouse and to be competitive in respect of both football and netball in season 2024.
“We’re getting into the testier time of year. We need volunteers for our first up Easter game (Saturday, March 30 against Albury) at home. We’re excited about it, and our recruitment is going beautifully.
“Corowa needs a football/netball club. We are excited about being back. This is a community club. We need more volunteers and sponsors,” the president said.
“We need more volunteers outside the football circle,” added Secretary Rowena Black.
“I must emphasise we need more volunteers and would appreciate it if they could contact the club or come down to training and have a chat. We need sponsors too and would love to hear from prospective sponsors.”
Any future decisions regarding the provision of a new facility need to be approved by Federation Council resolution, as well as any council budget decisions. Therefore it makes sense that relevant stakeholders are engaged under established council processes.
Council staff have been working with stakeholders and user groups of John Foord Oval Facility through the Working Group since it was established. But the progress of all that’s required at John Foord Oval will surely be strengthened by council representation, especially with the council mayor heading up a committee of the biggest sporting club in Corowa.
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