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Only three councillors have committed their complete support to PCYC’s request for funding, opening the possibility of a lengthy debate on Monday night.
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The youth charity was $3 million short for its redevelopment of the old South Wagga Bowling Club and asked Wagga City Council to help get the long-awaited project over the line.
But council staff have only recommended a $1 million contribution, most of it in waived fees and land, with a cash donation of just $364,247.
For 50 years, the Police (and) Community Youth Club (PCYC) has been a major force in tackling youth crime in Wagga.
Former mayor Kerry Pascoe and councillors Yvonne Braid and Paul Funnell all said the work of the organisation was far too important not to fund.
“I’ve seen and heard for decades community leaders go on about youth crime and youth unemployment, well it’s time to stop talking and start doing, we’ll get this back in spades as a community,” Cr Funnell said.
“If you could save even one child how much would you spend? The work the PCYC has done for decades is immeasurable and if we need to give them $3 million then we should.”
Cr Braid said Wagga couldn’t afford not to contribute to the project and given a recent Daily Advertiser poll drew strong support for the proposal from the community, she intended to vote with the will of the people.
However, mayor Greg Conkey questioned the “cost-shifting” policies of the state government, especially in light of the $4.5 billion budget surplus revealed last week.
“The government has shifted $3.4 million in costs to us per year and I’ve been concerned about it for some time,” Cr Conkey said.
“I would have thought, as (Member for Wagga) Daryl Maguire pointed out last year, that since PCYC is a state responsibility maybe he should start lobbying for those funds.”
In June last year, Mr Maguire said funding the PCYC redevelopment wasn’t council’s responsibility, but he defended that statement saying the proposal was a joint funding partnership, like Eunony Bridge or works at the Bomen freight hub.
“When opportunities come up they need to consider them and not play games,” Mr Maguire said.
“We always partner with council… if ratepayers feel there should be a partnership they need to consider that. The PCYC is engaging with (Police Minister) Troy Grant and our federal colleagues to get the best outcome for Wagga, ultimately that’s what I want.”
Councillors Tim Koschel, Vanessa Keenan and Dan Hayes raised concerns about borrowing money to give it to a charitable organisation and whether it would set a dangerous precedent.
“If Ronald McDonald House or Kurrajong Waratah asked for $3 million we wouldn’t even entertain it,” Cr Koschel said. “We don’t want to set a precedent for others to follow.”
Deputy mayor Dallas Tout said it was an important decision, as the project could benefit generations of Wagga’s youth, but he hadn’t made his mind up.
Cr Rod Kendall has declared a pecuniary interest and will not vote.