A war of words erupted at a Rockdale Council meeting on Wednesday night over plans to install synthetic playing fields.
The council has been investigating introducing the new fields for several months and hired Smart Connections Consulting to assess the most appropriate sites.
The report to the council highlighted these as being the Ador precinct and Bicentennial precinct in Rockdale..
The report also recommended prioritising the installation of a full size synthetic field at McCarthy Reserve and at Ilinden Sports Complex at an estimated cost of $3.2 million.
However Cr Peter Poulos (Liberal) put forward an amended motion that would see Arncliffe Park and the Bicentennial precinct as the preferred hubs.
He also moved to make Arncliffe Park and the Ilinden Sports Complex the priority for the first full-sized synthetic fields.
In a move that angered other councillors, Cr Poulos removed a condition that would see a review of the current use of the fields to ensure equity for other clubs and access to the public.
He also removed a condition that would see the fields introduced with a cost recovery fee model to ensures the new fields were self-sustaining.
Cr Shane O’Brien (Labor) said the main issue with Arncliffe Park was equity and its flood risk.
‘‘We were told by the experts that if one team had unfettered access to synthetic fields and others do not then they find they have an advantage throughout the competition,’’ he said.
‘‘We have to think of letting all our local kids having access, not just one club.
‘‘Let’s not come here and be told it’s about equity because it’s not. Let’s not be told it’s about planning for the future because it’s not.
‘‘It will be one field and one field only in a location that will be damaged regularly.
‘‘It makes more sense for all our clubs to use multiple fields in a central location.’’
Cr James Macdonald (Independent) said the decision to remove the clauses for equity and costs were shameful.
‘‘I’m the first to say that Arncliffe Aurora do need better facilities but my issue would be is that the best place to move it?’’ he said.
‘We can put it there but how much is it going to cost?
‘‘This is irresponsible. I’m just blown away from it. How can we sit here and remove these out. ‘‘It’s absolute madness. Just BS.’’
Despite opposition the amended motion passed seven votes to five.
What do you think about the plan to introduce synthetic playing fields at Arncliffe Park and Ilinden Sports Complex?