Sports club raises stink over sprinklers

The Finucane Island Sports and recreation Club continues to be plagued by offensive smelling effluent water used to irrigate the neighbouring sports ovals.

Finucane club manager Tom Keefe said the water from the sprinklers was sometimes carried by the wind, raining down onto patrons in the club's beer garden.

Mr Keefe said he was at his wits end, after three functions were cancelled and numerous patrons walked out, much to the embarrassment of him and fellow staff.

At a council meeting last week, he launched a tirade against the Town, which is responsible for watering the Marie Marland Reserve and the Kevin Scott Oval.

"We're at the stage where it is beyond a joke," Mr Keefe said.

"We've lost three major functions and that's probably worth revenue to the club at just over $30,000. People walk out halfway through their meals … I've just had a gutful."

The sprinklers come on every weekend which, according to Mr Keefe, were the club's busiest nights.

Town of Port Hedland chief executive Mal Osborne said he understood the matter had been discussed with the club, but argued without the water it would not be feasible to have as much grassed playing area.

"There's not a lot we can do unless you want to be playing sport on Pindan instead of on green grass," he said in response to Mr Keefe's comments at last week's meeting.

"At Marie Marland Oval, irrigation is currently scheduled for three times a week - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11pm to 6.20am."

Mr Osborne said the water used for irrigation was treated effluent and provided by the Water Corporation to the Town of Port Hedland.

"It is treated and chlorinated before use, although it does retain odour," he said.

In response to inquiries made by the North West Telegraph, both the Town of Port Hedland and the WA Health Department water unit said they would investigate the matter further.

A Health Department spokesman could not comment until investigations were complete.