Everard calls Loft a ‘peeping Tom’ in precinct debate

Darren Everard called out mayor Chris Loft for sitting in the carpark of the Brolga Theatre while a sport precicnt meeting was happening.

A concept of the Fraser Coast Sport Precinct. Picture: Contributed

COUNCILLORS have again debated the merits of the Fraser Coast sports precinct, with the project surviving a council vote for the ninth time.

At their meeting in Hervey Bay yesterday, councillors were handed a comprehensive report on the project.

Authored by chief executive officer Lisa Desmond, the report noted the $2.2 million already spent on the project, petitions received and precinct details.

The debate was calmer and more technical than the previous discussions in the council chamber.

The councillors who have pushed the project from the beginning, Stuart Taylor and Darren Everard led the discussion for the project in the council's chambers.

"The mayor preaches, family friendly Fraser Coast," Cr Everard said.

"We will need facilities such as this - sporting tourism is big business."

Deputy mayor George Seymour offered an explanation to his colleagues why he had changed his mind on the project since before the election.

"As the sporting clubs have changed their views on it - I am now supportive of it," he said.

"I know there are people in this room who are trying to use this (the change of position) against me.

Rolf Light has previously accused Cr Seymour of backflipping on the issue.

Cr Light questioned how councillors could allocate funds to sport while other areas lived without essential infrastructure.

"I don't know how some of you can sleep at night," he said.

During the debate, Cr Light asked if mayor Chris Loft was aware of a sports precinct meeting at the Brolga Theatre last week and he responded, "No".

Cr Light questioned: "So you're the mayor and you weren't invited?"

"He was looking in the window to see who was coming along," Cr Everard yelled.

"A peeping tom."

Cr Loft did not rebut the comment, but said the project should be "parked" temporarily.

"The only benefit in this initial splurge of money was for ten soccer fields and 20 netball courts," he said.

As councillors took turns in having a say on the motion, councillor Denis Chapman raised concerns about the drawings of the plans and the level of the site.

"How can you play hockey on an uneven field?"

The council's officers assured Cr Chapman the fields would be built to sporting codes' specifications.

A motion to continue the project was passed 6-5.