Light towers donation conditions demanded

LIGHTING towers recently replaced at the recreation ground will be donated to the Collie Racing Drivers' Association Inc (CRDA), but with a number of conditions attached.

The main condition is that they should be relocated immediately, before the forthcoming Labour Day long weekend festival.

A move to have the CRDA pay the Collie Eagles Football Club for the towers was defeated after much debate.

Chief executive officer Stuart Devenish said it was important to recognise that the disposal of the towers did not concern the football club.

“The towers are a shire asset. Historically, the football club has received a lot of assistance from council,” Mr Devenish said.

Cr John Kearney said: “In clarification, we should recognise that the football club could have picked up $1000 in salvage from the towers.”

Cr Joe Italiano unsuccessfully suggested the football club be paid $500 for the towers. He also emphasised the need for the poles to be moved before the March long weekend.

Cr Elysia Harverson spoke against making a payment to the football club.

“The poles are the property of this council so why should the speedway pay money to the footy club?” she said.

“If there’s one club in Collie that gets free kicks, it’s the football club,” she said.

“They’ve just got new lights and the shire pays to maintain their ground.

“I don’t see the speedway owing money to the footy club.

Local businesses targeted

TWO businesses in the CBD were targeted by thieves on Tuesday morning.

Red Dot in Johnson Street and Attitude Hairdressing in Forrest Street had their front doors smashed before items were stolen from inside.

A police spokeswoman said that at 1.50am a male offender forced entry into Attitude Hairdressing and stole a laptop and part of a till before leaving on foot.

Then, at 2.15am a male broke into Red Dot and stole a number of items, including power banks.

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.

Collie Police acting officer in charge Alan Dean said investigations are underway.

“The speedway relies on sponsorship and gets nothing from this council.”

Cr Gary Faries said he was pleased there was a potential user for the poles and that it should not have to pay any money to the football club.

He felt that the football club had been "well and truly supported by the community and the State government.”

Cr Italiano pointed out that it was council and not the football club which delayed the poles removal in September last year.

Cr Harverson said that if the speedway has no use for the poles, they remain the property of the shire council.

The speedway will need to remove all the poles and associated equipment before February 28.