Council says more support is on the way for struggling sports clubs

Further support is on the way for sport and community clubs struggling to pay bills with Brisbane City Council expected to announce measures this week.

David Diamond from Morningside Panthers AFL club and Rod Jackson from the Bulimba Memorial Bowls Club say it will be game over for many community clubs if government doesn’t step in to provide financial assistance. Picture: Attila Csaszar

MORE than 600 Brisbane clubs and organisations have had their community lease and license rent charges waived as part of a $7.9 million business relief package announced by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner in March.

Brisbane City Council’s Community, Arts and Nighttime Economy Chairwoman Vicki Howard said there was more support to come for sport and community clubs and the council was currently exploring further options for financial relief which would be announced in the coming days.

Cr Howard was responding to calls from Labor’s Community spokeswoman Kara Cook yesterday for an immediate rescue package to help clubs struggling to pay their bills.

Cr Howard said Council recently proactively contacted every not-for-profit club occupying a Council facility to better understand the issues impacting them.

“We understand our clubs are facing hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic and Brisbane City Council has introduced extra support measures to help them through these tough times,” she said.

Councillor Vicki Howard says council is currently exploring further options for financial relief which will be announced in the coming days. Picture: Josh Woning

This $7.9 million initiative has meant no Brisbane club on Council land will pay a cent of rent between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2020, putting about $638,000 back into the pocket of these groups.

“Council’s multi-million dollar relief package also waived fees for footpath and outdoor dining, river pontoon moorings, advertising, filming, bookings at venues including music venues, community halls and city hall, food licences,” Cr Howard said.

She said in September 2019, Council announced a water rebate of up to $5000 per club to cover 50 per cent of the retail component of water charges.

“Labor is very good at using vulnerable clubs to try and make a political point. Rather than criticising, Labor should be calling on their State Government colleagues to join Council and work with us to further assist our hardworking sporting groups,” Cr Howard said.

“While Labor criticises and complains we have been busy exploring more ways to support these clubs.”

Cr Cook said Labor was talking about cash support for clubs to assist in water, electricity, field and building maintenance.

“The support they are talking about (in the package announced in March) is hundreds of dollars. Clubs need potentially tens of thousands of dollars,” she said.

David Diamond from Morningside Panthers AFL club and Rod Jackson from the Bulimba Memorial Bowls Club join Cr Kara Cook at Jack Esplen Oval, Hawthorne, yesterday calling for financial assistance from Brisbane City Council. Picture: Attila Csaszar

Morningside Panthers, which was represented at Cr Cook’s press conference yesterday, has annual running costs in the order of $150,000 with water, electricity, oval maintenance and insurance.

“The minimal support council is providing is simply not enough,” Cr Cook said.