Casey Council has stood by a decision to ban elected representatives and candidates at all levels of government from advertising on council-owned properties.
By Bridget Cook
A MOVE to overturn Casey council’s controversial decision to ban sponsorship signs featuring local politicians from council- owned properties has been defeated.
At a council meeting last month, the majority of Casey councillors voted to ban elected representatives and candidates at all levels of government from advertising on council-owned properties.
After much media attention and backlash from the community, councillor Simon Curtis moved to rescind the motion at Tuesday’s night council meeting.
However, the majority of councillors chose to stick with the ban, voting against the rescission.
Last month, the News reported on the council’s decision to ban the signage, which received criticism from local MPs and some of the sporting community who feared it could strip clubs of sponsorship money.
Cr Curtis said on Tuesday night that many sporting clubs he spoke to were surprised by the council’s decision.
“It’s a significant source of cash – mainly from state and federal MPs,” he said.
“Here at City if Casey, it’s for us to make guidelines that are sensible.
“I’m not keen for councillors to promote themselves, but the stream of income is too important for clubs not to have.
“It does create goodwill between football clubs and the MPs.
“That is my biggest concern.”
Cr Curtis said he would support a motion to ban just councillors from advertising, but not other levels of government.
However, mayor Sam Aziz and councillors Amanda Stapledon, Shar Balmes, Wayne Smith, Bob Halsall and Geoff Ablett voted to keep the ban.
Cr Halsall said nothing was stopping MPs from still supporting clubs and that they shouldn’t do it just to have a sign up.
“I’m just saying it’s ridiculous that people only get funding or support if there is a sign up,” he said.
“Every councillor in the room has given sporting clubs ward funds, without a need for a sign.”
Gembrook MP, Brad Battin, who supports the Berwick Football Club through a boundary sign, said he was disappointed that some councillors voted against Cr Curtis’ motion and instead chose to punish sports clubs.
“As a State Member of Parliament, I should be able to advertise my contact details within the electorate,” he said.
“The sports club signs from both Liberal and Labor MPs have no political messages – just contact details, like any other sign.
“It is naive to assume MPs can continue to support clubs without signs.
“Every dollar we spend has to be justified to parliament, we can’t just give cash to sports clubs because it is a nice thing to do.
“This decision will rip hundreds of dollars from local clubs. I assume the council will be picking up the difference for clubs that rely on advertising money to survive.”
Cranbourne Cricket Club receives support from Cranbourne MP Jude Perera and Casey councillor Kevin Bradford, who both have signs erected at their home ground.
Mr Perera said it was regrettable that the majority of councillors stood to ban the advertisement of signs.
“What these councillors need to understand is that they have voted to stop much-needed income going to grassroots sporting clubs within their own wards,” he said.
