Magazine - Lights on at Bellerive Oval

By Editor in Cricket on 27th Sep 2008 6:00

A controversial plan for lights at Bellerive Oval is expected to be passed within weeks.

Clarence Mayor Jock Campbell said he understood concerns by residents about extra traffic and unsocial behaviour with night cricket games. But he said the only reason approval was needed was that the lights were in the conditions of the development's original approval.

"There are lights at the oval now and have been since the TFL (Tasmanian Football League) started," Alderman Campbell said. He said residents were involved in a traffic-management plan.

Only one councillor, Richard James, is expected to vote against the plan when it is lodged by the Tasmanian Cricket Association. The lights push comes amid an appeal against the council's decision to allow an increase in non-sporting activities at the ground.

Alderman James was the only councillor to oppose that too. "I think the lights issue is really a smokescreen. The other issue won't be resolved until November," Ald James said. "To rub salt into the wound, the lights will cost up to $6 million and they're asking the State Government and Clarence Council to pay for it. I can't understand the audacity.

"I've had nasty emails from New Norfolk, Glenorchy, Sandy Bay, even Launceston, accusing me of being anti-development and denying people the right to attend a night cricket match when they live on the other side of the river and don't understand the people affected by this."

But he also had letters from people living around the overflow parking area at South St Reserve. "They're asking for floodlighting to protect their cars against vandalism," he said.

He expected the lights plan would be passed as soon as possible. The TCA says it needs to install lights at the ground so it can stage international cricket matches to ensure the survival of the venue.

Alderman Tony Mulder said the council had applied conditions to minimise the impact on residents including a 65-decibel noise limit, the level recorded at Carols by Candlelight, and reasonable finishing times for night events.

Source & More: www.news.com.au

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