Rex
Bencher
WESTS Tigers' long-term plan to play more games at Leichhardt Oval has fallen into the hands of a group of residents, who have been given a fresh opportunity to block the venue's long-awaited upgrade.
The Greens-controlled local council was yesterday slammed by league followers for failing to approve the $1.9 million facelift for the main grandstand - a crucial plank in the Tigers' scheme to split all 12 home games between its spiritual dens at Leichhardt and Campbelltown.
And there also are fears at Manly that Greens councillors on Warringah Council will withdraw $4 million worth of funding which was pledged to Brookvale Oval.
On Tuesday night, 11 Leichhardt councillors voted unanimously to defer approval of the development application after a group of residents ambushed a meeting to complain about not being consulted.
A motion was passed to hear their concerns, angering the Federal Goverment, which provided a $3 million funding package 12 months ago.
Local Federal MP Anthony Albanese described the deferral as a "joke'' and took aim at Greens-aligned mayor Jamie Parker for taking so long to start the works.
Mr Albanese was also furious at Parker for helping to open the Keith Barnes stand last Friday night, only to delay development on the Norman Latchem Stand four days later.
"He shows up at the footy on Friday and then makes this decision - what a joke,'' Albanese said. "Nearly a year after we provided ($3 million) to Leichhardt Council, they have failed to commence any work whatsoever.
"In fact, Leichhardt Council has even failed to approve its own development application.''
The latest stand-off comes after Balmain Leagues Club had to withstand a protracted council decision to gain development approval that secured the entity's future.
But Mr Parker dismissed claims the council is anti-rugby league. He said the residents were entitled to be heard and knew nothing about the grandstand redevelopment until Tuesday night's meeting.
"It was not communicated to them and the council decided they deserved a chance to respond,'' Mr Parker said. "I stress the decision was unanimous - so there can't be any plot.
"We've deferred approval but at the same time continued to go ahead with the tender so that the schedule for works won't be interrupted.''
Cr Parker added that the council had already spent $1 million of the federal funding on planning.
Manly CEO Grant Mayer said he was no longer convinced the $4million worth of council funding for Brookvale would be forthcoming.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,25617934-14823,00.html
The Greens-controlled local council was yesterday slammed by league followers for failing to approve the $1.9 million facelift for the main grandstand - a crucial plank in the Tigers' scheme to split all 12 home games between its spiritual dens at Leichhardt and Campbelltown.
And there also are fears at Manly that Greens councillors on Warringah Council will withdraw $4 million worth of funding which was pledged to Brookvale Oval.
On Tuesday night, 11 Leichhardt councillors voted unanimously to defer approval of the development application after a group of residents ambushed a meeting to complain about not being consulted.
A motion was passed to hear their concerns, angering the Federal Goverment, which provided a $3 million funding package 12 months ago.
Local Federal MP Anthony Albanese described the deferral as a "joke'' and took aim at Greens-aligned mayor Jamie Parker for taking so long to start the works.
Mr Albanese was also furious at Parker for helping to open the Keith Barnes stand last Friday night, only to delay development on the Norman Latchem Stand four days later.
"He shows up at the footy on Friday and then makes this decision - what a joke,'' Albanese said. "Nearly a year after we provided ($3 million) to Leichhardt Council, they have failed to commence any work whatsoever.
"In fact, Leichhardt Council has even failed to approve its own development application.''
The latest stand-off comes after Balmain Leagues Club had to withstand a protracted council decision to gain development approval that secured the entity's future.
But Mr Parker dismissed claims the council is anti-rugby league. He said the residents were entitled to be heard and knew nothing about the grandstand redevelopment until Tuesday night's meeting.
"It was not communicated to them and the council decided they deserved a chance to respond,'' Mr Parker said. "I stress the decision was unanimous - so there can't be any plot.
"We've deferred approval but at the same time continued to go ahead with the tender so that the schedule for works won't be interrupted.''
Cr Parker added that the council had already spent $1 million of the federal funding on planning.
Manly CEO Grant Mayer said he was no longer convinced the $4million worth of council funding for Brookvale would be forthcoming.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,25617934-14823,00.html
