Gove Boat Club blames crime for closure

A 50-year-old Territory venue has closed its doors for a period of time. Read what's behind the decision.

An iconic Northern Territory venue is shutting its doors because of crime.

Management at Gove Boat Club, about 1000km east of Darwin, has posted on social media it is shutting its doors after more than 50 years because of “insurmountable” issues around crime.

While the duration of the closure is unclear, two days after it hosted an Easter Egg hunt for the region’s kids, venue management told its almost 3000 social media followers the venue was closing.

“It is with great sadness that the Committee must announce the closure of the Gove Boat Club, effective immediately,” the statement began.

The views are perfect at Gove Boat Club

“Although no doubt this will come as a surprise to most members and the wider community, we have been struggling for some time to deal with issues that have now become insurmountable.

“The primary issue is the relentless break ins to the Clubhouse, there has been nine break-ins in four months, often more than one a week and the staff can no longer cope with the mental strain that dealing with the constant damage, theft, clean-ups, scanning of CCTV footage, the huge amount of time spent with Police doing witness statements etc, and the boarding up of smashed doors.

“As a result, we no longer have the staffing resources to run the Boat Club in its current state.

“At this stage the Campground will remain operational, and the Boat Club is trying to support The Waterfront Kitchen to remain open for takeaways in the short term.

“We are currently waiting on the arrival of materials required to successfully secure the Boat Club before reopening. This is at great cost to the club. During this time we also hope to find additional staff.”

The message finished on an optimistic note, flagging the potential reopening of the facility.

“We look forward to reopening as the wonderful venue you have grown to know in recent times.”

Club member Kevin Summers said he understood the closure would only be for a week while the venue upgraded security systems and replaced its front doors after a break-in.

Gove boat club closure

“We’re only a small club and my understanding was they would only be closed while they updated the security systems,” Mr Summers said.

“Crime has been an ongoing issue for the last few years and it’s difficult to operate when you’re being broken into every couple of days.”

In a later post on Tuesday, the club again held out hope it would reopen.

“We are certainly entertaining anyone interested to taking on management of the club. We need support from whomever can offer.”

In September, the NT government introduced new alcohol restrictions designed to “build a more tolerant community”.

Located on picturesque Melville Bay about 15km from Nhulunbuy, Gove Boat Club was formally opened in 1972. Along with the Walkabout Hotel and golf club, it was one of the few licenced venues where you can buy a meal and a drink in Nhulunbuy.

NT government and police have been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Gove Boat Club blames crime for closure