Brisbane City Council has axed plans to develop East Brisbane Croquet Club’s grounds into apartments after strong community backlash.
EAST Brisbane Croquet Club will remain at its riverside club grounds, after a backflip by Brisbane City Council.
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EAST Brisbane Croquet Club will remain at its riverside club grounds, after a backflip by Brisbane City Council.
Last November the council announced it would move the club – which is more than 100 years old – to an adjacent site to build two 12-storey apartment blocks.
But the club received a lifeline just days before Christmas, with the council announcing it had withdrawn its development plans.
Club president Doug Williams said it had been a strong fight from the club and members of the community.
“All club members were ecstatic and pleased for the whole community,” Mr Williams said.
“This was a community fight. The council tried to make it out that the club were to get the greatest benefit.”
He said the club’s next move was to try and build its membership and have both the club site and the former Africa House site heritage listed.
“Our aim is to have both areas listed as part of the Heritage-listed Mowbray Park and not sidelined as a sporting recreational area,” he said.
“The East Brisbane Croquet Club wishes to thank all who participated and voiced their opinion in the altercation with council.”
Brisbane City Council’s finance, economic development and administration chairman Julian Simmonds said the proposal was withdrawn after meetings with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and representatives from local community groups.
“The Lord Mayor has listened to concerns from the local community and the East Brisbane Croquet Club who do not support the development as a strategy to deliver the community upgrades and it will not proceed,” Cr Simmonds said.
Cr Simmonds said the council would seek expressions of interest this year from sporting or community groups who want to lease the former East Brisbane Lawn Bowls club site next to the East Brisbane Croquet Club.
“Interested groups will need to consider the cost to improve this site which is largely abandoned,” he said.
A small part of the site faces resumption for the Wynnum Rd corridor project, he said.
CROQUET TIMELINE
October 30: Brisbane City Council’s City of Brisbane Investment Corporation announces plans for a twin 12-storey development.
November 23: The club rallies against the plans.
December 23: The council announces it will not proceed with the plans.
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