The shire yesterday backed down from a decision to charge the CWA nearly $3000 a year for use of the Ray Bradfield Rooms.

In a meeting between representatives from the CWA, shire CEO Phil Rowland, mayor Janet Cropley and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards, it was proposed the new room rental fees be scrapped in favour of a $360 contribution for upkeep, maintenance and cleaning.

The CWA is waiting for the shire to put the proposal into writing and will then discuss it with members before making a decision.

Castlemaine CWA president Allison Nye was not available for comment yesterday but the group released a written statement and described the proposed new agreement as “a good outcome”.

“Castlemaine CWA wishes to say thanks to everyone in the community who has supported the CWA in their endeavours to oppose the shire’s excessive charge of $2777.50,” the statement read.

The Castlemaine CWA found out about the new room rental charges late last year and was in danger of folding because it could not foot the bill.

The CWA says the group handed its original club room over to council in 1996 in exchange for a guarantee it could use the Ray Bradfield rooms free of charge, but the shire says there is no written documentation of the agreement.

Cr Cropley told the Bendigo Advertiser recently she did not think a “mythology of an agreement” was worth anything and that the CWA should not be treated any differently to other community groups that use council buildings.

Ms Edwards described yesterday’s meeting between herself, CWA and shire representatives as “uncomfortable”.

“I think the councillors and the shire have underestimated the extent of community anger about this,” she said.