Members of the latest incarnation of the Tilba Sportsground Committee met with representatives of the Eurobodalla Shire Council on Wednesday to pass on their wishlist of what they want to see happen at the so-far largely unused sportsground.
The toilet block at the sportsground and its environmental septic system has been considered a failure with not enough toilets or use of those toilets to make the system work.
The council infrastructure director Warren Sharpe told the committee the good news was that the council in its list of rate-variation projects had an upgrade of the toilet block that was meant to happen before the end of the year.
This would entail adding four toilets to make a total of six and also reverting to a more standard septic system with the use of solar to power pumps. Water storage would also be augmented to allow the flushing of the toilets.
Long-time sportsground committee member Mal Dibden said he would like to see a new toilet block built further back and the existing block turned into change rooms. He also said getting water and power to the toilet block was vital.
But Mr Sharpe said it was not feasible and the funds already allocated were to improve existing toilet block and not build a new one.
Other Tilba Tilba residents present at Wednesday’s meeting said the oval surface needed more topdressing and soil, as it had been taken down to clay was very hard.
Owner of Pam’s Store at Tilba Tilba, Sherri Hayden said improving the toilet block was a good start but that she hoped the council could assist in bringing more events and activities to the sportsground including markets and even camping that could improve the economic outlook of the village.
Also present at the meeting was the council’s Community, Arts and Recreation Services department director Kathy Arthur, who spoke about how the oval could have wider appeal and the council’s booking process.
Mr Sharpe suggested using the facilities for multiple users such as adapting the existing netball court for basketball and mini-tennis, which would attract more users.
Also present at the meeting was Elizabeth Macdonald, who had been pushing for a Tilba museum in the old Central Tilba fire shed before it was sold to a private interest by council.
Ms Macdonald had hoped another building could be built or moved to the sportsground to house historic artefacts from the Tilba district.
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
