Gone to sh@#: historic Brisbane bowls club’s slow, sad decline
It hosted lawn bowls during the 1982 Commonwealth Games, but this club is now so sad dogs relieve themselves on its greens.
Southeast
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A southside bowls club which hosted the sport during the 1982 Commonwealth Games has fallen into disrepair more than a year after its executive was forced to surrender their lease.
Councillor Steve Griffiths said he had been inundated with complaints from residents about the state of the once-proud Moorooka Bowls Club, which closed after struggling with dwindling membership and rising costs.
It went into voluntary administration in May, 2019.
But Council’s Community chairwoman, Vicki Howard, denied the claims and said Council was close to revealing a new lessee.
“We look forward to announcing the lessee in the coming weeks as they have an exciting new vision for the bowls club to transform it into a truly community-centred facility, with plans for more community events, active and healthy activities and recreation,’’ Cr Howard said.
“This is a great outcome for the community, and it’s a shame to see Cr Griffiths playing politics by pretending he doesn’t know what is happening with the club when he has been well aware of the progress that has been made.
“Council has regularly mowed and maintained the facility since the former tenant vacated.’’
Resident Sue Nordon disputed the council’s claims, saying she walked her dog in the area regularly and it had been a “disgrace’’ until it was slashed this week.
She had even seen someone allow their dog to defecate on one of the old greens.
“People have been complaining about it on the local Facebook page since last year,’’ Ms Nordon said.
“If I was a potential lessee and driving past i wouldn’t want to take it on if I saw how messy it was.’’
Cr Griffiths said he was aware of the new lessee, but was told only in December after repeated requests.
He also said the state of the greens was obvious proof residents were right to complain.
“Despite ongoing requests for maintenance, the site remains neglected, empty and in disrepair,’’ he said.
“It’s taken Council a year to even engage a lessee and they won’t reveal who they are because it’s wrapped up in confidentiality agreements.
“The grounds and the clubhouse have been let go, but meanwhile last week Council revealed it will spend $84 million on the Victoria Park precinct (in Herston).’’
Cr Griffiths said Council officers eventually turned up on Monday with whipper snippers to tackle the long grass.
He accused the administration of taking its eye off suburban sporting facilities and concentrating on high-profile, large projects such as Victoria Park which were far from residents in his — and other — wards.
“Maintenance has been shocking and we have had numerous complaints from residents about the appalling way that Council has looked after the site,’’ he said.
“I support residents’ frustration with Council. The evidence is there.
The Brisbane bowls clubs which have closed in recent years
“If this was in an LNP ward this level of maintenance and appalling way this has been handled would not have happened.’’
But Council claimed it had in fact mowed and conducted maintenance at the club 20 times since July, 2019.
Work had been undertaken at least monthly and at most fortnightly, subject to weather conditions.
The community group which will take on management of the site will be announced once it has signed the lease.
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