![OUT OF REACH: Two of the city's biggest sporting organisations are rallying against council fee hikes. Photo: Peter Hardin 210719PHA128 OUT OF REACH: Two of the city's biggest sporting organisations are rallying against council fee hikes. Photo: Peter Hardin 210719PHA128](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/7f52891e-f945-494f-ad78-5457cc9c9d19.JPG/r0_0_5568_3712_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
COUNCIL staff have defended their "extraordinary quality facilities" as two of the city's largest sporting groups rally against fee increases.
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Tamworth's netball and basketball communities were almost taken by surprise by recent fee increases at the sports dome, in some instances hiked by 12.5 per cent, and launched petitions in response.
Tamworth council's sports manager Paul Kelly said he hadn't seen the petitions yet, but said there were other ways for the groups to save money.
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"We have a significant sporting event fee subsidy program introduced in 2018 which provides substantial savings to help support major competitions be staged in the Tamworth region," he said.
"To date a total of $19,282 has been approved for basketball.
"There is also the annual donations program where local charities, non-profit organisations and community groups are able to seek a contribution from council to assist them in their provision of services to the region's community."
Tamworth basketball's petition drew more than 500 signatures within two days of it being launched.
Councillor and chairman of the sports committee, Mark Rodda, has committed to working with the organisations to reduce costs.
But, he said they "virtually lost their independence" after they left the Anne Street Dome and the Carter Street courts.
"I know they have said they are struggling to meet the increased charges particularly because they currently struggle to attract sponsors because there is no advertising at the dome which might mitigate the costs," Cr Rodda said.
"I'm keen to work with both associations to work out ways of reducing the costs for them and the users."
The council stated fees at the dome had not been raised for two years prior to 2019 so the increase could be rounded up by $5 an hour.
However, the council said previously it would communicate earlier with affected users ahead of any future rate rises.