Tussle over oval

By Bridget Cook
CASEY Council has been forced to deny Cranbourne Football Club full use of the main oval at Casey Fields, for fear of potential legal action.
At a council meeting earlier this month, the council voted against a recommendation to move Cranbourne Football Club off the main oval, an AFL standard oval, at Casey Fields and onto two smaller ovals to maintain the playing surface of the main oval.
The club was thrilled with the outcome and the chance to enter into a long-term contract for the use of the premier oval.
However, at this week’s council meeting on Tuesday night, councillors Bob Halsall and Shar Balmes put up a motion to rescind the decision after the council received legal advice.
Nine councillors voted for the rescission motion, with the exception of councillors Kevin Bradford and Lynette Keleher.
The Casey Scorpions, Melbourne Football Club and Cranbourne Football Club share the ground, which also hosts junior levels of AFL Victoria competition.
After receiving legal advice, councillors said they feared they could be in breach of a previous, years-old memorandum of understanding between the council and the Casey Scorpions, by entering into a new long-term contract with Cranbourne Football Club.
“I think it would be an abuse of power if we breach contracts and put Casey in a potential legal battle,” Cr Halsall said.
Councillor Geoff Ablett, who has been a strong advocate of the Cranbourne Football Club, said he was sorry the council found itself in this position.
“I’m 100 per cent with the Cranbourne Football Club, but was very alarmed at the legal advice, and will be voting for the rescission,” Cr Ablett said.
“I hope we can reach an outcome in the future that is satisfying to all parties.”
Cr Bradford voted against the rescission.
“I won’t support it,” he said.
“I don’t want a legal stoush like other councillors, but I think it’s fairly obvious that the Melbourne Football Club or Scorpions won’t take legal action against the council,” Cr Bradford said.
He said the clubs would lose a lot of respect and support from the community if they took legal action.
Cranbourne Football Club’s permanent future on the main oval is still up in the air.
Officers will arrange an urgent meeting with representatives from all parties involved to discuss the usage levels of oval one at Casey Fields.
A report will be brought back to council.