Locals protest plans to bulldoze East Brisbane Bowls Club

Residents are ramping up their fight to stop the East Brisbane Bowls Club from being bulldozed with a protest on Saturday.

Residents are ramping up their fight to stop the East Brisbane Bowls Club from being bulldozed with a protest on Saturday.

Brisbane City Council has proposed to demolish the East Brisbane Bowls Club building, which is now home of Backbone Youth Arts, and replace it with green space as part of its Mowbray Park Vision for East Brisbane.

Council has granted lease of the site to Backbone since 2016 but that lease ends in November.

Councillor Kara Cook has since posted a petition against the proposed destruction of the building which has attracted close to 1800 signatures so far.

Backbone Youth Arts currently lease the East Brisbane Bowls Club. Picture: Supplied

It comes as community group ‘Stop the Demolition of East Brisbane Bowls Club’ is planning a rally at Mowbray Park this Saturday from 1.30pm.

A spokesman from Backbone said Brisbane City Council (BCC) have since suggested other facilities that might serve as a suitable alternative for them.

“Our mission with having stewardship of the East Brisbane Bowls Club is to create a space for young people and their communities, to be a vibrant hub of arts and culture, and to promote creative risk-taking, fearless thinking, and local connection,” he said.

“We believe we have fulfilled this mission.

“By remaining at the old East Brisbane Bowls Club, Backbone can build upon our achievements.

“With this venue, we can truly create radically inclusive arts and cultural experiences for our East Brisbane community and beyond.

“Backbone is deeply grateful for the support of Brisbane City Council who provided us with our home at the old East Brisbane Bowls Club.

“BCC have been immensely supportive of Backbone and in our conversations about the Mowbray Park Plan they have suggested other facilities that might be suitable for our purposes.”