THE State Opposition has written to Sport and Recreation Minister Corey Wingard urging financial support for the Nangwarry community in the wake of a suspicious fire which levelled the town’s football clubrooms.
Labor MLC Clare Scriven and Shadow Sport and Recreation Minister Katrine Hildyard will seek a contribution to the Nangwarry Football Club to ensure its 2019 season “is not too disrupted”.
While unable to provide a dollar figure given the “very vague estimates” regarding damage, Ms Scriven said government assistance to the community was necessary given the town’s “difficult time in recent years”.
“While I am sure they are insured, it is important to support the club through this time,” she said.
Mr Wingard did not address a question on whether government assistance would be provided, but said it was “tragic to see a football club with such deep roots throughout the local community destroyed”.
The minister would also not be drawn into the unstaffed status of the Kalangadoo police station and said it was a matter for the Police Commissioner.
“I have confidence in SAPOL to thoroughly investigate reports the fire was deliberately lit,” he said.
“Police operations and the status of the Kalangadoo station are a matter for the Police Commissioner.
“I have visited the South East three times since last March and consulted each time with the CFS, police and the local community.
“I have taken onboard the advice and concerns that have been relayed to me and I will visit again in the future.”
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said he will push for arson investigations to be intensified, citing the town’s string of suspicious fires within the last two years.
In the wake of the Wednesday night fire, Mr McBride will also seek advice from Mr Wingard regarding the police effort being deployed to investigate the arson attacks.
In a statement, Mr McBride said the fire at the Nangwarry club was “another setback” for the organisation and the wider community.
“It takes a lot of work from many volunteers to operate a football club and the loss of the clubrooms is a significant blow for the club,” he said.
“The fact the fire has been deemed an arson attack is also devastating for such a small town.”
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll said the fire was “very disappointing, adding council was “very concerned for the residents over there”.
He said the spate of suspected arson attacks had not yet been raised by the new council, but was likely to feature on the next monthly agenda.
Mr Noll visited the scene yesterday with council chief executive Ben Gower.
Mr Gower urged residents across the Wattle Range to rally behind the small timber community, adding council would investigate further measures to support Nangwarry.
“Everyone has a connection with this football club – in my case, my grandfather helped build the building back in the 1940s – so I’m sure many others would have a story to tell,” he said.
“The real shame is all the memorabilia that has been lost and hopefully those people who have those connections can help resurrect the history.”
