Wattle Range Council Deputy Mayor Councillor Peter Dunnicliff has queried how a $700 council grant will be used by the Millicent Football Netball Club.

This grant was among seven awarded to local sporting and community groups at a recent council meeting.

The club will use the funds towards such purchases as netballs, netball bibs, footballs, a handball target, bibs, drink bottle holders and drink bottles.

Cr Dunnicliff said he was in favour of supporting the footballers and netballers with this grant but questioned that it was being applied to consumables such as drink bottles.

“These should be part of the club’s normal running costs,” Cr Dunnicliff said.

“It does not fit the pattern of grant applications.

“Perhaps something like protective padding for goal posts would be appropriate.”

Cr Dunnicliff moved the motion to award grants to sporting clubs, it was seconded by Cr Richard Cassidy and was carried.

The other council grant recipients are the Glencoe Public Hall ($2000 to upgrade the kitchen facilities), Mount Burr Trails Inc ($500 for the installation of interpretive signage along the Town History Walk), Mount Burr United Cricket Club ($2000 to replace two training pitches), Penola Football Club ($1700 for the installation of a defibrillator at McCorquindale Park), Millicent Bandits Baseball Club Inc ($1500 for the refurbishment of a vandalised scorebox) and the Tantanoola Netball Club ($2000 to upgrade the driveway and car park at the courts).

The maximum council grant is $2000 and all grant recipients are obliged to contribute their own funds to these projects.

Cr Dennis Muhovics wondered whether or not community and sporting groups were aware of the council grants.

In reply, deputy chief executive Paul Duka said there had been a reduction in the number of grant applications since COVID.

“Perhaps clubs cannot fund their projects?” Mr Duka said.