Moorooka Bowls Club: New tenant told to fund $500K of repairs

Brisbane City Council has declined to repair an iconic shuttered bowls club despite public outcry and interest to turn it into a bustling community space.

Negotiations with a new tenant to take over the lease of the crumbling Moorooka Bowls Club, which shuttered more than two years ago, have stalled over the fact Brisbane City Council is refusing to fund necessary repairs to the club, understood to require an investment north of $500,000.

Compounding the issue is the fact the prospective tenant is a not-for-profit organisation, formed for the express purpose of turning the former club into a community space, which holds no assets.

However, council denied there is an issue, telling the Southern Star they ploughed $80,000 into pre-lease improvements and have secured another $20,000 under the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.

Moorooka Ward Councillor Steve Griffiths, one of five Labor councillors in City Hall, said this is “not good enough”.

“The community has been waiting almost two years [sic] for Brisbane City Council to sort out the lease of the Moorooka Bowls Club,” he said.

Long grass at the formerly immaculate Moorooka Bowls Club site. Picture: File

“During this time the club has fallen into further disrepair and residents are frustrated and angry.

“This is a council asset that is being neglected by this council and its Lord Mayor.”

Among other issues, such as “rotting” walls and myriad leaks and asbestos under the bowling greens are understood to be of particular concern, with Cr Griffiths saying he was advised the many issues would require at least half-a-million dollars to rectify.

“We have a dedicated and enthusiastic local not-for-profit group who have been in negotiation with council for months now but are told that they need to cover the cost of repairs,” Cr Griffiths said.

“This is not good enough.

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“This is a council asset and it needs to be leased to the community in good working condition.

“Council and the Mayor are failing to look after community facilities and this is a glaring example of that, particularly in opposition electorates.

“When the nearby Sunnybank Bowls Club, which is in an LNP ward (Runcorn), closed it received a complete renovation.”

Councillor Vicki Howard said council is “looking forward” to the new lessee taking over the club.

Moorooka Bowls Club members and Cr Griffiths (front, right) after a 2019 meeting called to discuss the club’s future. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop.

“The new lessee has been working with the community to craft a new vision for the club, which will include a new name and lots of new activities on offer for locals to enjoy,” she said.

“The local councillor is well aware of the Schrinner Council’s investment into improving the facility, maintaining the grounds and supporting the transition to a new lessee.”

A spokeswoman for the prospective tenant, who has asked for her organisation not to be named at this stage, declined to comment, citing the ongoing lease negotiations and a confidentiality clause.