What concerns me however is why something not disssimilar in significance to that of a heavy vehicle by-pass is not being dealt with in a similar manner?

One would’ve thought that the public and affected parties would be given an opportunity to view the various proposals and make comments and submissions to Council for consideration, just as was the case with the heavy vehicle by-pass.

It also concerns me that as a current member of the Cowra Tennis Club Co-operative, it does not appear that the Club has been formally advised or consulted regarding the possibility of a road going through the existing courts.

This seems quite surprising.

Surely the Cowra Tennis Club should be advised of such a possibility on a formal basis, and should have an opportunity to put a submission in defence of the existing courts should it wish to do so.

The current Clubhouse is a recent, well built brick structure of substantial size.

There are also 10 grass courts and 5 clay courts, a total of 15 courts, at the current site.

This facility is the only publicly available tennis court in the town, and is open to use by both members and non-members.

The Tennis Club conducts day and night competitions and the courts are also available for public hire, and the local tennis coach conducts extensive tennis coaching clinics for the young and not so young, together with extensive programs for school students as part of the school sporting curriculum at both Primary and High School level.

There are also several major tournaments conducted throughout the year bringing visitors and boosting the town’s economy.

The Clubhouse is also available for public hire for functions.

The Cowra Tennis Club is one of Cowra’s oldest sporting clubs with an extensive history dating back to 1911.

If the courts were demolished, these facilities and services might permanently be lost to the town.

Should there be even a possibility that the tennis courts be demolished the Tennis Club should have been formally notified.

It should also be noted that the tennis courts form part of a wonderful sporting hub, including amongst others, the sports of hockey, soccer, rugby league, golf and swimming, all of which have excellent well maintained facilities, centrally located and readily accessible to all of the town’s residents.

Further, if the Tennis Club and courts were to be re-located to an alternative site, even if one was available, it would require considerable funding ($1-3 million) to rebuild something of an equivalent nature, funds which the Cowra Tennis Club does not have.

In any case, Cowra Council and the Roads and Maritime Services would surely have a responsibility to provide for such a replacement, which would add significantly to the overall cost.

I would like to submit that given there are other options which would provide for a new low level crossing without demolishing the current Tennis Courts and Clubhouse, then one of those be chosen instead.

Further, I submit that Cowra Council should call for public comment and submissions regarding the proposals for a new low level crossing prior to reaching any decision, given the far reaching implications for the residents and the town of Cowra as a whole.

Tennis is part of the heart of the town and the possible destruction of a town’s heart should not be taken lightly.  

L. Braithwaite