LOGAN City Council has bowed to pressure from sporting groups, making drastic changes to its new leasing policy.
The policy, adopted in 2013, sought to unify the vastly different practices of the former Beaudesert, Gold Coast and Old Logan councils.
While clubs in the former Beaudesert and Old Logan areas had to fend for themselves, groups in the former Gold Coast area had their grounds and facilities maintained by council.
This practice has continued for seven years since the 2008 amalgamation.
The new leasing policy put an end to that, requiring clubs to complete a long list of routine maintenance duties.
The Beenleigh Pirates cricket club and other former Gold Coast clubs objected to the leases, gaining prominent media attention.
Mayor Pam Parker last week bowed to the pressure, saying council could admit when it had made a mistake.
"We recognise that the original policy had flaws and we don't want our community groups to live with the consequences," Cr Parker said.
"We are very appreciative for those clubs and centre members who worked with us to achieve a reasonable outcome for all groups across the city."
Changes to the policy include waiving water and sewerage access charges, up front discounts on water use and garbage removal and council to cover building insurance and statutory inspections.
Cr Parker said council would implement the changes across the city, including to those clubs which have already signed new leases.
Council also agreed to continue mowing the grounds of clubs in the former Gold Coast parts of Logan until December 31.
JIMBOOMBA sporting clubs say they still have concerns about council's new leasing policy which have gone unanswered throughout the consultation process. Click here for the full story.
