Unley Council give their thoughts on the Sturt FC

[heater31]

If that is the council's attitude then Sturt should up stumps and go to where they are wanted. They bend us over with the rent of the joint and then refuse to fund the upgrade of THEIR infrastructure. No wonder the club financial accounts look so bad


All because a few nearby residents are too f**king lazy to walk that little bit extra to the Unley shopping centre and to not have their stupid mutts take a dump in their own back yard

[csbowes]

What I find disappointing in this is that I would have put money on the fact that the SANFL had some political strength in this state. Surely the SANFL has some ties with Rann or some other knobs in the State Government and therefore could request the appropriate pressure be put on the mayor and council in Unley to do the right thing.

What is the point of being a successful league administration with two AFL teams and a thriving local competition, if you can't muscle things your way politically?

As several have stated in this forum, Sturt have been there since 1901, well before any of the residents and therefore has the right of abode. Those who want Unley to be some island of tranquility should move elsewhere. The club barely infringes on the peace of the area and so with that in mind, have earnt the right to council support.

In some ways, it makes me think, why not move the whole club to Golden Grove and get Westfield TTP to sponsor them. It's about time the SANFL stood up for its member clubs. Lets remember where this league started...

Otherwise Sturt just has to load the council again and take over... lets face it, two men and a dog voting for you gets you in these days.

[Edward Teach]

Wayville is a Unley council area, so one would think the same applies for Wayville too !

'the club wasn't missed the last time that they left and they wouldn't be missed again if they left,'

Ouch !

The businesses around the oval wouldnt feel the same I feel

A few thousand people coming into the area every second week is surely good for the local economy?

Spot on. That quote comes from one pratt on a council. A ridiculous quote to make on behalf of any group of people. He doesn't speak for Unley people who in general have a lot of feeling for their club. The council should spend the money and do up the club of the highest level sports team in their zone. Wayville is in Unley council too and has no history as the home of the Blues. Look at the average Unley crowds!! better than most clubs in league. Keep the Blues at Unley. Look what happened last time Sturt moved (or really an club moves).

[Squawk]

The Unley Council is horrendous.
The apparent goal of that council is to make its area a place for people to shop during business hours, and a ghost town after that. They do not want people passing through their area - that is why they blocked off so many roads and put 40km/h zones everywhere.
Do they charge fees for people using their carpark to go to Sturt games or do they just block it off? I can't imagine it being open for free to the general public, but correct me if I am wrong.

[Squawk]

For those who are interested, here's some info on the Unley Oval Licence.
http://www.unley.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Unley_Oval_Licence_Consultation_Form.pdf

And the concerns that were raised less than a year ago, relating to cost and conditions of the lease. Compare what SFC pay compared to other clubs. Given the conditions that have to be met it seems kind of absurd.
http://www.unley.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Item_129_CSP_Agenda_June_2008.pdf

Here's a random picture of an EVILDOER!



And his email address: mhudson@em.unley.sa.gov.au

Oh and off topic, but still relating to the Unley council, here's my current pet hate: http://www.unley.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Item_36_George_Maud_Duthy_Streets_Detailed_Design.pdf

Sombre reading that. How about looking in to the old Panther Park facility? I think it would be in the City of Mitcham and require a bit of a makeover, but it is quite close to the Castle Tavern.

[Dutchy]

What I find disappointing in this is that I would have put money on the fact that the SANFL had some political strength in this state. Surely the SANFL has some ties with Rann or some other knobs in the State Government and therefore could request the appropriate pressure be put on the mayor and council in Unley to do the right thing.

What is the point of being a successful league administration with two AFL teams and a thriving local competition, if you can't muscle things your way politically?

As several have stated in this forum, Sturt have been there since 1901, well before any of the residents and therefore has the right of abode. Those who want Unley to be some island of tranquility should move elsewhere. The club barely infringes on the peace of the area and so with that in mind, have earnt the right to council support.

In some ways, it makes me think, why not move the whole club to Golden Grove and get Westfield TTP to sponsor them. It's about time the SANFL stood up for its member clubs. Lets remember where this league started...

Otherwise Sturt just has to load the council again and take over... lets face it, two men and a dog voting for you gets you in these days.

The issue has nothing to do with the State Government....I doubt they have any power over a council asset

[smithy]

The issue has nothing to do with the State Government....I doubt they have any power over a council asset

Except Noarlunga Oval

[spell_check]

For those who are interested, here's some info on the Unley Oval Licence.
http://www.unley.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Unley_Oval_Licence_Consultation_Form.pdf

And the concerns that were raised less than a year ago, relating to cost and conditions of the lease. Compare what SFC pay compared to other clubs. Given the conditions that have to be met it seems kind of absurd.
http://www.unley.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Item_129_CSP_Agenda_June_2008.pdf

Here's a random picture of an EVILDOER!



And his email address: mhudson@em.unley.sa.gov.au

Oh and off topic, but still relating to the Unley council, here's my current pet hate: http://www.unley.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Item_36_George_Maud_Duthy_Streets_Detailed_Design.pdf

Sombre reading that. How about looking in to the old Panther Park facility? I think it would be in the City of Mitcham and require a bit of a makeover, but it is quite close to the Castle Tavern.

That would require more Sturt/West boundary shenanigans, as I'm sure St Marys is in Wests zone.

[Dog_ger]

It's not rocket science!

Looks to Dog_ger, no-one on the Unley council likes SANFL....

The Ghost of Jack is very worried....

And so are SANFL supporters.

Comment Mr Wran.....

[Psyber]

... As several have stated in this forum, Sturt have been there since 1901, well before any of the residents and therefore has the right of abode.

No, unfortunately for Sturt, if the council owns the oval it has the right to say who can use the oval and on what terms, and can change their minds from time to time as different councillors come to dominate. Prior use with council consent or even support means nothing.
If they had bought the oval years ago - had it been for sale - that would be different.

The councils attitude will depend on whom the residents elect from election to election.
True, Sturt could mount a campaign to get pro-Sturt coucillors elected, but they will have to do it at every election. Once won't be sufficient.
Some other teams are fortunate to be in a position where the local council values football more highly, but it can change as the area changes and different councillors get elected by the residents.

The state government can exert influence where it has a share of the ownership, but otherwise can do nothing - unless the council is broke and itself dependent on state support...

Sturt are now paying the price of not having made a decision years ago when they and the SANFL had attendances sufficient to fund clubs well.
They temporised in their deal with the SACA, who are also difficult to deal with to at times, just like councils depending who is elected, as the SANFL found.
Then they returned to Unley when it appeared the Unley council was more receptive again. That will come and go.

I supect it is time to make a move, having first negotiated part ownership of the venue or a long-term contract.
Short of the South merger it appears Mr Barker may be the area that would most want to attract an SANFL team.

[Sir Red of Norwood]

Asan example of the increased business a football club brings to the area, for round one's blockbuster season opener against the pies under lights at the Parade. I've motivated my entire family to come along with me to the game by suggesting we hit one of he local restaurants/cafes for dinner before heading down to the ground for the game, so thats a party of 5 for dinner, plus 5 people into the ground (I dare say therr'll be a few beers bought on Coopers hill during the game. perhaps the Redlegs are just more part of the fabric of the Norwood/paynham area that Sturt are to UCC. I could only imagine the outrage from locals in the affected councils no to mention the howls fromthe local chamber of commerce should similar local govt petty shenanigans give the redlegs to cause consider moving (and playing at for insatance Adelaide)Oval.

Just my $0.02

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Ambiance, hahahahahaha

35 minutes from Brady Sand to Marlborough St then 20 minutes to the coffee shop on Duthy St this morning 8.45am. 20,000 cars surrounding Unley Oval over Christ knows how long. Yeah, you can smell the serenity.

[Psyber]

Asan example of the increased business a football club brings to the area, for round one's blockbuster season opener against the pies under lights at the Parade. I've motivated my entire family to come along with me to the game by suggesting we hit one of he local restaurants/cafes for dinner before heading down to the ground for the game, so thats a party of 5 for dinner, plus 5 people into the ground (I dare say therr'll be a few beers bought on Coopers hill during the game. perhaps the Redlegs are just more part of the fabric of the Norwood/paynham area that Sturt are to UCC. I could only imagine the outrage from locals in the affected councils no to mention the howls fromthe local chamber of commerce should similar local govt petty shenanigans give the redlegs to cause consider moving (and playing at for insatance Adelaide)Oval.

Just my $0.02

I think Norwood are more integral to their area than Sturt, although I recall there was an era when the relationship got a little strained at Norwood too.
I can't remember when it was but I think it was quite some time ago.
With any council, if the local business sector elects the majority of councillors the business boost argument will hold sway.
However, if Norwood became more gentrified in time, residents who wanted peace and quiet more than money flow may elect councillors less interested in Norwood...

[Psyber]

Ambiance, hahahahahaha
35 minutes from Brady Sand to Marlborough St then 20 minutes to the coffee shop on Duthy St this morning 8.45am. 20,000 cars surrounding Unley Oval over Christ knows how long. Yeah, you can smell the serenity.

Those streets never were designed to take modern traffic quantities!
Perhaps the Unley council might put up gates and make people drive around..
[PS: What and where is Brady Sand? I'll tried Google Maps, but it din't help.]

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Ambiance, hahahahahaha
35 minutes from Brady Sand to Marlborough St then 20 minutes to the coffee shop on Duthy St this morning 8.45am. 20,000 cars surrounding Unley Oval over Christ knows how long. Yeah, you can smell the serenity.

Those streets never were designed to take modern traffic quantities!
Perhaps the Unley council might put up gates and make people drive around..
[PS: What and where is Brady Sand? I'll tried Google Maps, but it din't help.]

HJ Brady & Sons, been there since Jesus wore shorts, locals call it Bradys, just up from where Unley Rd turns into Hawthorn. Thought you were a local ?

[Psyber]

HJ Brady & Sons, been there since Jesus wore shorts, locals call it Bradys, just up from where Unley Rd turns into Hawthorn. Thought you were a local ?

Not really. I grew up in Bowden and West Croydon. Then lived in Vale Park and Klemzig.
When I met my second wife to be, she lived in Edmund Avenue,and her friends were in and around the Cremorne Street and over towards Westall Street, Hyde Park. That, and across to my cousin's place in Northgate St, Unley Park, was a far as I went, and I didn't get to know the area further out.
When I was in the council area for 6 months in 2003 we rented one of the bluestone villas in Davenport Tce, Wayville.

After that it was Prospect, between Hahndorf and Echunga, and briefly Delfin Island, before moving to Melbourne.

[JK]

Asan example of the increased business a football club brings to the area, for round one's blockbuster season opener against the pies under lights at the Parade. I've motivated my entire family to come along with me to the game by suggesting we hit one of he local restaurants/cafes for dinner before heading down to the ground for the game, so thats a party of 5 for dinner, plus 5 people into the ground (I dare say therr'll be a few beers bought on Coopers hill during the game. perhaps the Redlegs are just more part of the fabric of the Norwood/paynham area that Sturt are to UCC. I could only imagine the outrage from locals in the affected councils no to mention the howls fromthe local chamber of commerce should similar local govt petty shenanigans give the redlegs to cause consider moving (and playing at for insatance Adelaide)Oval.

Just my $0.02

I think Norwood are more integral to their area than Sturt, although I recall there was an era when the relationship got a little strained at Norwood too.
I can't remember when it was but I think it was quite some time ago.
With any council, if the local business sector elects the majority of councillors the business boost argument will hold sway.
However, if Norwood became more gentrified in time, residents who wanted peace and quiet more than money flow may elect councillors less interested in Norwood...

Seem to be getting back in favor with one another, but the council and particularly the Parade Traders havent given two rats about the NFC in recent seasons spent in the doldrums.

I think in the majority of cases, as mentioned previously, SANFL clubs just aren't that significant to local councils.

Best of luck to the Blues

[Barto]

I think in the majority of cases, as mentioned previously, SANFL clubs just aren't that significant to local councils.

Were they ever though? Seems like councils didn't turn on their local clubs back when the league was strong, but perhaps they were waiting to pounce when the league lost its high profile.

There's no doubt that the UCC would love to get rid of us. I would even go so far to say, they'd love to divide the oval up into some kind of housing development. What's the point of an actual oval if you don't want sport played there?

[JK]

I think in the majority of cases, as mentioned previously, SANFL clubs just aren't that significant to local councils.

Were they ever though? Seems like councils didn't turn on their local clubs back when the league was strong, but perhaps they were waiting to pounce when the league lost its high profile.

There's no doubt that the UCC would love to get rid of us. I would even go so far to say, they'd love to divide the oval up into some kind of housing development. What's the point of an actual oval if you don't want sport played there?

Dont disagree with anything you say mate, I guess it's just a sign of the changed times when once upon a time a local community rallied around their club, which sadly isnt the case anymore (to the extent it once was).

[Barto]

I think in the majority of cases, as mentioned previously, SANFL clubs just aren't that significant to local councils.

Were they ever though? Seems like councils didn't turn on their local clubs back when the league was strong, but perhaps they were waiting to pounce when the league lost its high profile.

There's no doubt that the UCC would love to get rid of us. I would even go so far to say, they'd love to divide the oval up into some kind of housing development. What's the point of an actual oval if you don't want sport played there?

Dont disagree with anything you say mate, I guess it's just a sign of the changed times when once upon a time a local community rallied around their club, which sadly isnt the case anymore (to the extent it once was).

Perhaps back in the day, it was weight of numbers that kept the councillors quiet?

Does anyone think that this bloke would say what he said about the SFC if we were still shoe-horning 16000 people into Unley on a Saturday afternoon? It'd be a headline story in the media.