Our decision to stop paying insurance for Crown-owned assets under voluntary committees of management arrangements has caused concern across our communities.

I would like to apologise to the Committees of Management, their volunteers and communities for causing a level of concern across important community facilities.

Councillors are working with officers so we can pay this year's insurance on the 43 halls, public toilets, pavilions and storage sheds on Crown land. We will consult with those impacted on what future insurance arrangements may look like.

The range of other supports Council provides to Crown land committees including $95,000 in annual funding allocations, ground maintenance agreements, and strategic and maintenance advice continues to remain in place.

On behalf of my fellow Councillors, I acknowledge we could have done more and worked more closely with the impacted committees leading up to our decision in July.

We have heard from a range of volunteer community groups about the impact this has caused over recent weeks, including at last week’s Council Meeting and on our visit to communities such as Ensay and Benambra last week. I thank all community representatives for airing their concerns with Council.

Our original decision was not based on cost savings alone. It also considered if the insurance being paid would stand up in the event of damage to one of these facilities. We will also be working with the committees to ensure their actions and records would support a claim if made.

We are committed to working as quickly as possible with impacted committees and volunteers to resolve this issue.

Cr John White

Mayor, East Gippsland Shire Council