The request for an $800 grant from a seaside sporting club drew a sharp response from an elected member when Wattle Range Council held its March monthly meeting.
The Beachport Bowling Club sought 50% of the costs of upgrading the honour boards at its Railway Terrace clubrooms.
The application was made as part of council’s twice-yearly grants program for community and sporting groups and the request was endorsed by staff.
However, Councillor Dennis Muhovics queried why the council had to “cough up” the funds.
He pointed out the Beachport Bowling Club had received over $400,000 in public funds in 2021 to upgrade the council-owned clubrooms.
In response, Mayor Des Noll said the Beachport Bowling Club had met the grant eligibility criteria.
Deputy chief executive Paul Duka said the request by the bowlers was a “bit cheeky” but other clubs in similar circumstances had done likewise.
Mr Duka gave the example of the Millicent and District International Basketball Association.
Cr John Drew suggested the grants program could be amended to exclude groups for one year if they had been beneficiaries of major council funds.
According to Cr Dale Price, the matter could be considered at the upcoming 2022/23 budget deliberations.
When put to a vote, the meeting unanimously supported the allocation in total of around $20,500 to 13 community and sporting groups including the Beachport Bowling Club.
Earlier in the meeting, council considered another unrelated matter with respect to the Beachport Bowling Club.
There was a two-person delegation from the neighbouring Beachport Golf Club.
They explained the bowlers had been complaining since 2005 about errant golf balls lobbing on the bowling rinks.
The delegation explained that a professional golf course designer had recommended the relocation of the first tee to reduce the risk.
The golfers estimate the cost of the tee relocation would be around $50,000 and council in-kind assistance would be sought.
Cr Drew suggested a fence could be erected instead but was advised by the delegation that this had been costed at $600,000.
