Cr Gersch said a list of qualification ‘scores’ of unsuccessful applications released in media reports last week showed the Hindmarsh council application scored 84 out of a possible 100. This placed the application at an upper-eligibility level.
The list, published by the ABC, came to light amid former Federal Deputy Nationals leader and former Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie being under fire after an Australian National Audit Office report revealed ‘evidence of distribution bias in the award of grant funding’.
Ms McKenzie has since resigned from her ministry.
The report claimed a high percentage of funding went to organisations failing to attract Sport Australia board endorsement.
Further speculation suggested a bias towards marginal seats during the Federal Election.
“We are extremely disappointed. We were left with an impression that it hasn’t been a fair playing field, it’s as simple as that,” Cr Gersch said.
“We have always believed that applications are assessed and awarded based on merit, but it appears as though this is obviously not the case.
“It will be very interesting to see the outcomes of the latest events and what, if any, impact these outcomes will have on future applications for the Davis Park project.”
New grandstand
The council applied for funding to construct a new grandstand to replace an unsafe soon-to-be demolished structure through the government’s Community Sport Infrastructure Program in September, 2018.
It had applied for $471,803 and was advised on April 26 last year that its application had been unsuccessful.
“It was very disappointing to receive that news because we believed it to be a very strong submission,” Cr Gersch said.
“The council allocated $50,000 as a cash contribution and more than $40,000 of in-kind support for the $562,653 project that was going to see the construction of a new all-ability accessible grandstand, capable of seating about 200 people, that included storage facilities underneath and an all-abilities compliant bathroom.
“According to correspondence received from Sport Australia advising the council that our application was unsuccessful, there were more than 2000 applications with funding requests of $396-million.
“The council was told at the time that due to the high number of applications Sport Australia was not able to provide any individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.
“We could see Sport Australia had supported the application but we didn’t have any success. Blind Freddy could see that something was amiss.
“A lot of work goes into preparing submissions for important projects and quite often we can provide matching funding and the council has to budget accordingly.
“The truth is councils simply do not have a lot of money and we rely heavily on government support.
“The understanding is that funding is provided on a fair and equitable basis.
“We’re not happy with what has happened and like to think we would be judged on our merits.”
A Horsham Rural City Council application for $323,000 as part of a project to upgrade disabled toilets at Horsham Aquatic Centre was also rejected through the scheme despite scoring a qualifying 83-100.
Chief executive Sunil Bhalla said the council applied for several state and federal government grants on behalf of Horsham community groups.
“While it would be fantastic if they were all successful, we understand that some are not,” he said.
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