1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: If you're listening to the show on Friday, you might 2 00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:05,200 Speaker 1: have heard us mentioned that recent media reports had claimed 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: that the general manager of Fred's Past Sport and Recreation 4 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: Board had quit over funding concerns that more than one 5 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: hundred thousand dollars in council funding. 6 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 2: Was going to be slashed. 7 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:17,959 Speaker 1: So the board, as we know, maintains the reserve on 8 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:21,800 Speaker 1: behalf of the Litchfield Council for thousands of users each week, 9 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: including sporting, business and community groups. I know that I've 10 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 1: frequented out there on a number of occasions for different 11 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: sports with the kids. But it is understood that general 12 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: manager Kay Kendall resigned after learning that three hundred and 13 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: thirteen dollars for repairs and maintenance was once off. So 14 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: joining me in the studio to shed a bit of 15 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,840 Speaker 1: light on the situation is the Litchfield Mayor, Doug Barden. 16 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 2: Good morning to you, Doug. 17 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 3: Good morning Katie, Good morning listeners. 18 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for your time this morning. 19 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: Now, Doug, can you confirm that the general manager, Kaykendall, 20 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: has resigned and what the reasons were for this. 21 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 4: I've seen the MEETIA reports as everybody else has, as 22 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,199 Speaker 4: well as the emails that came through that were sent 23 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 4: by the board to the public, and the Facebook pages. 24 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,600 Speaker 4: I note one of the Facebook pages was up there 25 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 4: for about forty minutes and then it was pulled down. 26 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 4: And I'm surprised that Kay realizes that says this is 27 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 4: a is a run off? Is she surprised that it's 28 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 4: a run off? I mean this piece of paper here, 29 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:34,400 Speaker 4: Katie actually says the additional funding of three hundred and 30 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 4: thirteen thousand dollars provided for twenty twenty two twenty three 31 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 4: is to be used as detailed in the table below. 32 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 4: Reporting for the edition. Funding is outlined in Appendix three 33 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 4: in the form of a quarterly report to counsel, and 34 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 4: this is part of the funding agreement. 35 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 1: So, Doug, was the board advice that that three hundred 36 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 1: thirteen thousand. By the sounds of it, they were advised 37 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: that it was additional funding just as once off. 38 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 3: I believe so. 39 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 4: And twelve months ago when we put the municipal plan 40 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:18,839 Speaker 4: out last year, the other user grew sorry. The other 41 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 4: recreationary reserves were ropable that Fred's pass got a fifty 42 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 4: percent increase and they got a marginal increase of one 43 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 4: percent or four percent or something or other. And I 44 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 4: actually said to Kay that the other reserves were cranky 45 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 4: on this, and I did, and I well, I might 46 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 4: not have said it, actually, but I indicated that this 47 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 4: was a runoff. And everybody, everybody knows that this was 48 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 4: a runoff. 49 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 1: So do you think it was a misunderstanding or what 50 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: do you reckon has happened here? 51 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 4: I don't know how they can miss how they could 52 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 4: have misunderstood this, but I'm happy to accept that it's 53 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 4: a misunderstanding. But I mean, it's the best kept secret 54 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 4: in my in my whole life that when I say 55 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 4: that when all the reserve recreation reserves were cranky, that 56 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 4: were cranky, that the Fred's pass got a fifty percent off, 57 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 4: I told all the other reserves that this was a runoff. 58 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 4: I indicated decay that this was a runoff. 59 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: And so I mean, friends pass, Like, how much do 60 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:27,920 Speaker 1: they receive in annual funding? 61 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 4: In twenty twenty one, twenty twenty one, they were getting 62 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 4: six hundred and fifty two thousand dollars. The last year 63 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 4: they were given a nine hundred and sixty five by 64 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 4: the one hundred and sixty five one thousand dollars in 65 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,680 Speaker 4: which the three hundred and thirteen thousand. Additional funding was 66 00:03:55,960 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 4: in there this year we are giving them. We are 67 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:03,240 Speaker 4: giving them a thirty percent increase. We're giving all our 68 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 4: recreation reserves a thirty percent increase. 69 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 1: So it looks like they're eight hundred and forty seven 70 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 1: thousand is what they'll get for this financial year. It 71 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,479 Speaker 1: is still a phenomenal amount of money. I guess the 72 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 1: thing is Fred's Pass reserve. It is utilized by so 73 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:25,840 Speaker 1: many you know, so many users. Isn't it busy here? 74 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 3: That's very correct. And my. 75 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 4: Boys played soccer for Fred's Pass in their younger days. 76 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 4: The CEO's children have played there, most of the counselor's 77 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 4: children have played there. 78 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 3: My boys are all grown up there. 79 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:49,480 Speaker 4: In fact, my boys were still playing for Litchfield Soccer 80 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:53,040 Speaker 4: even four years ago or five years ago before they 81 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:53,840 Speaker 4: moved into state. 82 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 3: Yep. 83 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:55,480 Speaker 2: So it is. 84 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:59,000 Speaker 1: Definitely an area that so many people use, Doug, do 85 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 1: you anticipate the fees for users of that reserver going 86 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: to need to go up as a result of this situation? 87 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:11,920 Speaker 4: Well, first, I'm not anticipating anything at this stage. I've 88 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:17,159 Speaker 4: asked the President to talk to our CEO to work 89 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 4: out and an agenda. I believe that the funding that 90 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 4: we're giving Fred's Pass is very very generous, being the 91 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 4: thirty percent increase. 92 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 3: So yes, yep, now. 93 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:36,040 Speaker 2: Tell me, I mean, will is the council? 94 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: Is there going to be more done in terms of 95 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 1: the council providing any extra funding or anything like that, 96 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:45,400 Speaker 1: or do you think that that you know, the eight 97 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 1: hundred and forty nine and nineteen dollars in terms of 98 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:52,599 Speaker 1: that operational funding for this financial year coming that that 99 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: is sufficient. 100 00:05:53,640 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 4: Well, this council, unlike previous councils, have always have always 101 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:03,559 Speaker 4: looked at looked at things on a case by case 102 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 4: basis and and we believe that we we believe that 103 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 4: this is adequate or more than we believe this is 104 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 4: more than adequate. However, we're willing to sit down and talk. 105 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 1: So you are prepared to sit down and talk to 106 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:26,160 Speaker 1: the to the friends Pass Reserve managemental. 107 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,280 Speaker 3: We always have been, We always have been. 108 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 4: I talked, I've talked to the President in the past 109 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 4: when when when it was claimed that they were unaware 110 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 4: of this being a that this was a run off 111 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 4: funding and we're willing to do I mean, we believe 112 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 4: that this is adequate. 113 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:55,919 Speaker 1: Where where to from here in terms of do you 114 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:59,280 Speaker 1: know what has to happen now in terms of them 115 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 1: finding a new general manager or working through that situation. 116 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 4: The board is a complete separate entity to counsel, so 117 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 4: that will have to be that's up to the board 118 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 4: to decide how they operate that and how they come 119 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 4: and see counsel. So it would be like me coming 120 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 4: in here and telling you how to run one day 121 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 4: four point nine. 122 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 2: Will trust me, Doug. We wouldn't allow anybody to tell 123 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 2: us how to do that now. Obviously you know a lot. 124 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: It does sound as though is there a bit of 125 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 1: a stalemate here or you know, what's the go Is 126 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: there a concern for some of these sporting clubs that 127 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: that it's going to mean their fees need to go up? 128 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 2: Or what do you reckon it's going to mean? 129 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 4: I don't believe so. But firstly we need to get 130 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 4: back to the to where has this become? 131 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 3: Where has this come from? Now? 132 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 4: Our municipal plan is out for public consultation and everybody 133 00:07:56,640 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 4: has the opportunity to put a mission into the public 134 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 4: consultation and council will consider it. I think I think 135 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 4: people are jumping the gun when they seem to think 136 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 4: that this. 137 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 3: Municipal plan is. 138 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 4: Part as part of the Act, we must put our 139 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 4: municipal plan out for public consultation. And everyone has and 140 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 4: everyone has the right to tell us how great we 141 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 4: are or how bad we are, and and and all. 142 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:34,559 Speaker 3: My feedback has been really, really good, Katie. 143 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: Now, I know that there's been some clubs that have 144 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: been keen to see some lights out there. I think 145 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: at Fred's pass as well. Is that something that the 146 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 1: council is looking at? 147 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 4: Yes, well, the board, I assume the board has been 148 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:55,680 Speaker 4: I assume you're coming to our ten million dollar brand, 149 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 4: our sea. Well, myself and myself and and the CEO 150 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 4: have met with Marion's scrimsaw when we were down in 151 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 4: Alice Springs and that was and Christie McBain from local 152 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 4: the federal local government minister was there. I hope I 153 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 4: got that name right, the federal government and we just 154 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 4: we just we discussed Fred's past extensively. That in fact, 155 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 4: it was really the only subject we talked about. The 156 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:39,720 Speaker 4: CEO has been talking to the scene of bureaucrats in 157 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 4: in Marion's office. 158 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 3: We have met with. 159 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 4: Different different not user groups. I haven't met with the netball. 160 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 4: I believe my CEO will be meeting with netball. I've 161 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:03,320 Speaker 4: met with this, with football, af L n T, with 162 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 4: the CEO. 163 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 3: So there's quite a lot of work happening behind the scenes. Yep. 164 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 3: And one of the. 165 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 4: Strings that we we thought was part of the grant 166 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 4: was that netball, netball, tennis and basketball was one of 167 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 4: the strings attached to that grant. Where we're negotiating. We're 168 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 4: negotiating that at the moment. 169 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 2: All right, So there is still the opportunity or there. 170 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 1: It certainly sounds as though it's something that the Council 171 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: still wants to go ahead. 172 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:33,679 Speaker 2: Those lights and that ten million dollar grant. 173 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:38,080 Speaker 4: Well, we'd love to, but we're going through the negotiations. 174 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 3: Please. 175 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 4: I mean when I say we'd love to, well, we 176 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 4: have to. We have to work these things through their 177 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 4: proper processes and the boarders and we're and talking to 178 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 4: the board and discussing these things with the board is 179 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:54,600 Speaker 4: part of that process. 180 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 1: Well, Doug Barton, the Mayor of the Litchfield Council, I 181 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 1: really appreciate you this morning. I appreciate you coming into 182 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 1: the studio as well. 183 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:02,960 Speaker 3: Yep. 184 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 4: And as I said, all our kids have played at 185 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 4: done different sports and we're out there for the community. 186 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:13,560 Speaker 4: But it is a fine balance of how much we'd 187 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 4: love to give everybody ten million dollars eat but it's 188 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,680 Speaker 4: a fine balance and we have to look after the 189 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 4: rate payers money. 190 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:25,559 Speaker 1: Doug, thank you so much for your time today. Very 191 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:26,520 Speaker 1: much appreciated.