Council divided over fence

Debate raged at a Dardanup Shire Council meeting last week about the need for a perimeter fence when Glen Huon Reserve is redeveloped.

Discussion during a development approval for the new football and softball pavilions turned to debate about the fence at the meeting on Wednesday.

Cr Carmel Boyce highlighted the issue and raised concerns that a perimeter fence would block the oval off from the community although Cr Danny Harris argued the fence was needed for football games.

The South West Football League requires a fence to charge people to attend when the Eaton Boomers play matches at Glen Huon Reserve.

The councillors agreed more community consultation was needed in regards to the height of the proposed fence and the number of gates needed.

Dardanup shire president Mick Bennett said he was not “overly happy” with closing the oval to the public.

“We are going to the trouble of paying for the fence just for the footy and we aren’t getting much out of it,” he said.

However, a fence was needed in one corner to stop softballs going into people’s gardens.

He said it was important the community was consulted because parts of the fence could be as high as 4m or 6m.

“From my point of view, people haven’t been consulted on the height of the fence and that’s an issue for me,” he said.

SWFL general manager John Vidos said it was the league’s preferred position to have a fence around the oval.

“If there wasn’t a fence, it wouldn’t be my call to not have games at the oval, it would be an executive decision but we would discuss any decision with the council,” he said.

“Paying customers are a big part of our revenue to help us maintain standards just like other country football leagues.”