EXCLUSIVE
Wyndham council has refused to release documents revealing how Eagle Stadium got its name, claiming that it’s not in the public interest for this information to be released.
Star Weekly submitted a freedom of information (FoI) request to the council asking for documents relating to the decision to rename the Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre as Eagle Stadium, the community consultation process that was used, and alternative names that were considered.
Last week, the council’s freedom of information officer Joy Painter knocked back the request. Ms Painter said releasing the information would be “contrary to the public interest” because it showed possible names that were considered, but not adopted, by the council. She said this was “likely to lead to inaccurate assumptions and promote divisive debate in the community”.
Ms Painter ruled that the documents contained information obtained voluntarily from the community and she was concerned their release would discourage people from participating in future community consultation processes.
She also had concerns about the release of information that would identify councillors, staff or consultants who had provided the council with an opinion on the subject.
“There has been considerable community discussion in relation to the naming of Eagle Stadium, which appears to be primarily concerned with the process adopted by the council to assist in making a decision on the new name,” Ms Painter said. “If released, the documents would be likely to reduce open and robust deliberation in council’s decision-making processes.”
‘Not Eagle Stadium’ founder Ian Dooley said his group had also had its FoI request knocked back. “The facility is used by the community. How the information about how they named this $47 million facility is not in the public interest is very confusing,” he said.
Hoppers Crossing Basketball Club president Mario Costa said the organisation had had its FoI request knocked back also. It is considering appealing the decision.
Mr Costa said he understood the Werribee Devils’ objection to the stadium’s name, given that the Eagles nickname was used by other representative basketball clubs.
“We have 32 teams this season, and we weren’t consulted in regards to the name,” he said, saying the consultation was the issue.
