Saxton Field Funding Inequities Need Rectifying

Saxton Field Working Party Member Aldo Miccio says inequities related to Saxton Field’s ongoing funding needs rectifying.

The development of Saxton Field was part-funded by the Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council and various sporting codes, while the on-going operating costs are falling almost entirely to the Nelson City Council.

Aldo Miccio says there is no doubt that Saxton Field is a world-class facility, but there needs to be another look at its ongoing management and funding from both councils. He adds that he believes both parties have the goodwill to work together on solving this issue.

“As things currently stand, Nelson ratepayers are having to outlay approximately $2m a year in operating costs, while Tasman District Council pays a few thousand dollars. This is inequitable given the number of Tasman residents who will be using the facilities,” Miccio says.

“The Working Party has been told that the funding percentages have been calculated based on population modelling, and within this model Tasman has not included Motueka or Golden Bay ratepayers,” Miccio says. “I know for a fact that Motueka and Golden Bay teams are playing at Saxton as part of various sporting competitions, such as netball and football, and I am not sure how the TDC would want to exclude them as their residents.”

The Saxton Field funding model was agreed to by the Regional Funding Forum, which includes representatives of both Councils, the Canterbury Community Trust and Pub Charity.

“I believe there have been compromises made in order to achieve completion on Saxton Field, but looking ahead, I think Nelson City Council should no longer need to compromise at rateypayers’ expense,” says Miccio.

“I am therefore supporting calling for the Regional Funding Forum to redraft the funding model for the new capital costs and ongoing operations of Saxton Field, until it can come under the umbrella of a wider regional strategy, such as the Go Nelson Strategy, to manage, market and promote the facility.”

ENDS

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