On the back of the recent rejection of a grant application for the proposed sporting facilities the council decided to delay applying for any grants for proposed facilities until it obtains the results of the survey.

The survey will be carried out by an independent consultant. The consultants will call ratepayers and will seek 200 responses to the survey to ascertain what facilities the community wish to commence with and whether the ratepayers are willing to contribute to the funding through increased rates.

The juggling of the proposed sporting facility and the proposed multi-purpose community centre has created a division in council and in the community for some time, and therefore the suggestion that a survey be carried out to once and for all find out what are the community's preferred projects was welcome.

Another opportunity for funding has presented itself recently through the Jobs Fund - a $650 million Australian Government Initiative to support and create jobs and skills development through projects that build community and social infrastructure. The fund provides one off grants for projects up to $2 million.

There was discussion at the meeting on whether modified plans for the sporting facility should be submitted for the $2 million grant, which would mean that Council would have to come up with around $1 million to complete the project, and this money would probably have to come from ratepayers.

Councillor Zsuzsanna Handelsmann suggested that the plans for just enclosing the pool be submitted for the funding. However there was a strong feeling in council that the costs of running the facility year round were too great for ratepayers to foot the bill and that it may be underutilised.

“It will cost about $372, 000 per year to run the pool all year round,” said Councillor John McMahon.

“No-one will use the pool in the winter time - you are going to be doing something for a small minority,” said Councillor Bob Hooper.

Council also adopted plans to price renovations planned for the town's community centre in the interim. They include new floor coverings, improved and more efficient heating, disabled access and facilities, alterations to internal walls, and a a glass door and area at the rear of the building.