Manly Sea Eagles can’t have a rent reduction even if we wanted to, says Warringah Mayor
WARRINGAH Council says it cannot cut the Sea Eagles’ rent for Brookvale even if it wanted to due to amalgamation rules. A Sea Eagles insider called it”perplexing”.
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- Sea Eagles declare they have no intention of quitting Brookvale Oval
- Sea Eagles being ‘bullied’ over change to rent
- Warringah Council rejects deal over Brookvale Oval rent
- Sea Eagles to push ahead with plans to upgrade the Fortress
WARRINGAH Council says it cannot cut the Sea Eagles’ rent for Brookvale even if it wanted to.
Mayor Michael Regan said because the council is due to be merged with Manly and Pittwater, it was not allowed to answer the club’s call for a reduction on its $375,000 a season bill.
With the NRL season to kick off in seven weeks Manly has yet to reach an agreement with the council over playing at The Fortress this year.
“We can’t legally create a $155,000 hole in our budget at this point,” he wrote in his mayor’s column in the Manly Daily. The Office of Local Government’s rules, say: “councils should only expend moneys in accordance with the detailed budget adopted.”
The mayor accused the club of “unnecessarily angering fans and legends.”
Ken Arthurson said if the Sea Eagles left the effect on the community would be devastating. The team wants fans to contact councillors.
A Sea Eagles insider said: “It’s perplexing they now claim they couldn’t put the rent down if they wanted to, but ask us to pay lots more on a casual basis.”
If no deal is agreed, the club can hire the ground on a casual basis but will have to pay up to $15,000 a game more for costs, like cleaning.
TIMELINE
March 2015 The row begins when the club claims the pitch isn’t up to scratch
Sept 2015 Club says council is “forcing them out”; mayor says he is not a ‘scapegoat’
Nov 2015 The council rejects a payment offer
Dec 2015 Council agrees ‘secret deal’ over unpaid rent
Jan 2016 Sea Eagles ask fans to contact councillors
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