Redlands Junior Rugby League Club calling for new lease at traditional home

The future of a southeast Queensland rugby league club, with almost 50 years of history, is now under a cloud of uncertainty after a lease dispute with the local council.

ALMOST 50 years of history is in danger of being flushed down the drain with a local council possibly planning to relocate a rugby league club away from its traditional home.

Members of the Redlands Parrots Junior Rugby League Club have come together to call for the Redland City Council to commit to a new 20-year lease at the Pinklands Sporting Complex, which has been their base since 1980.

The club started a petition for the cause after it was revealed council had plans for the Parrots to play out of a proposed site 10km away on Heinemann Rd in Mt Cotton as part of the Redlands Regional Coast Master Plan.

The petition to call for a new lease at Pinklands now has 680 signatures.

Redlands JRLFC president Todd Flahey said he was shocked when he heard of the plans to move the club which started in 1971.

Members of Redlands JRLFC, as well as Don Brown and Kim Richards, calling for their lease to be extended. Picture: Redlands JRLFC

“It is extremely stressful for myself and other members to have this cloud hanging over our

heads, at the same time when we are trying to get kids back on the field in the midst of

COVID-19,” he said.

“With only 2 years left on our lease, we have been trying to get council to the table to negotiate a new lease and provide certainty for our club’s future.

“We now see why they might have cold feet.

“All we are asking for is certainty for our club, its history and its future. Our home has been at Pinklands for over 40 years and our members want to stay.”

“We have a proud history with so many third generations playing at our club today, I hope we

can continue our history at Pinklands and one day I can watch my grandchildren play here.”

Past juniors from the Redlands Junior Rugby League Club.

A Redland City Council spokesman said they were committed to working with all local sporting clubs to reach the best outcome for the city.

“Work on the new regional sport and recreation precinct at Heinemann Road is part of city wide strategy to address the need for more sport and recreation land for our community,” the spokesman said.

“The Master Plan is not a locked in concrete plan, but rather the beginning of a very long process that will include ongoing engagement with all clubs to help inform the final plan.

“Council is also investigating other land across the city that may be suitable for sports and recreation uses, as well as ways to better use existing facilities such as Pinklands which is constrained and doesn’t provide enough space for the existing clubs like rugby league and netball to grow.

“All of this work will take time and may result in refinements to the final design at Heinemann Road, which will not be finalised for a number of years.

“In the meantime council will work with the club on a new lease, this is separate to the Redlands Coast Sport and recreation precinct at Heinemann Road.”

Federal Member for Redlands Kim Richards, who along with the State Government are currently funding a $600,000 upgrade to the Parrots club house, said it was unfair for the club to be forced to move.

“I would hate to think that we are investing in this council owned facility for the benefit of the Redlands Rugby League Club to have them moved on,” she said.

State Member for Capalaba Don Brown said moving to Mt Cotton would damage the club’s membership base.

“The club does not only cater to members in the southern Redlands, but also too many families from the northern end of Redlands City Council and Wynnum Manly,” he said.

“The club received 35 per cent of its intake from these more northern suburbs, moving to Mt Cotton would have a significant effect on membership.”

To sign the petition, visit megaphone.org.au/petitions/keep-the-parrots-at-pinklands.