Townsville Sailing Club has been denied State Government funding to buy their waterfront block of land
Townsville Sailing Club has been dealt another snub after the state government refused to provide funding to save the community hub.
Townsville
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TOWNSVILLE Sailing Club has been dealt another snub after the State Government refused to provide funding to save the community hub.
The lease of the club’s waterfront land on The Strand is due to expire in December 2021.
If the club does not raise $3 million to buy the land, it will be forced to relocate the clubhouse.
A petition started in December to support the club in creating an “Aquatic Spots Hub” had 1009 signatures.
It was hoped funding to buy the land could be sought through the government initiative, Activate! Queensland 2019-2029.
The petition was tabled in the Queensland Parliament on February 4, 2020 for consideration.
An official reply released on Thursday by Housing and Public Works, Digital Technology and Sport Minister, Mick de Brenni was a blow to the club.
Mr de Brenni acknowledged the predicament the club was facing but explained the initiative funded “physical infrastructure solutions” and did not cover the cost of buying land.
“I understand staff from the Department of Housing and Public Works have continued to meet with the Townsville Sailing Club to outline the initiative and its guidelines and funding opportunities,” he said.
Club ambassador John Byrne said he was disappointed with the outcome.
“The Sailing Club asked the minister to make an exception because without the land, there can be no building,” he said.
“The minister has said no.”
Mr de Brenni urged the club to seek funding elsewhere.
“I encourage the club and Townsville City Council to continue to explore options to secure other funding available to purchase land for the club and the possible future of an aquatic hub in Townsville,” he said.
Mr Bryne said the next course of action was to pound the pavement.
“We need to talk more energetically to private investors and we have been approached a couple of times (by investors) and we have been knocking on a few doors,” he said.
“We will also be continuing with the council and all the candidates with the upcoming election to show them the community benefit of this idea.”
Originally published as Townsville Sailing Club has been denied State Government funding to buy their waterfront block of land