Tamworth croquet: club members argue $450 rent hike for Napier Street field is 'outrageous'

Tamworth Croquet Club has been on a $52 rolling yearly lease since it expired in 2007 and president Lyndall McKenzie said players plan to renegotiate the terms.

"We're going to negotiate a new lease, because that is not acceptable and it's just ridiculous," she said.

"It's so outrageous for our club, it's pensioners and retirees, we can't tolerate increased costs like other clubs might."

The club has about 30 members who contribute about $250 each year to cover maintenance costs, water, affiliation with Croquet NSW and other outgoings.

Ms McKenzie said she doesn't want members to be priced out of playing because of the rent.

"We're going to negotiate hard because we can't afford that, by the time three years has passed the rent will be well above $700, being older some members will die, some will leave and the club could be jeopardised by signing a 10-year lease for that," she said.

The rent was changed as part of the council's new uniform approach to how its land is leased or licensed for sports or recreational purposes.

A report to the councillors said discussions had been had with the club's current president to make sure they were aware of the council's approach.

The new terms are for $500 a year, plus an annual increase of three per cent.

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The club itself was formed in October 1932 and originally played on a specially prepared green on the corner of Brisbane Street and Kable Avenue in 1933 ,where the Hands of Fame Park is now.

Some of the green was used to build the bridge over the Peel River and the club was relocated to Napier Street.

Rates, water, sewer, insurance, electricity, telephone and maintenance will be the responsibility of the club.

The council report showed the terms were determined because the lease provides exclusive use and possession of the land and the council isn't seeking to recover a commercial return for the lease.

The councillors voted on Tuesday to give staff approval to negotiate and finalise a lease with the club based on the new terms of $500 per year.

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