Government sounds out receiver for return of $200k PINT Club soundproofing grant

The Territory government says a grant to soundproof Marrara’s troubled PINT club was never acquitted – and now it wants our money back.

The Territory government has asked Marrara’s troubled PINT club to return a grant of up to $200,000 after alleging the funding was “not used for the purpose for which they were provided”.

In response to a number of questions from this masthead, a spokesman for the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics released a carefully worded statement cautiously acknowledging the debt.

“We understand that in terms of the debt to the NTG, that DIPL have alleged that grant moneys provided for soundproofing were not used for the purpose for which they were provided,” he said.

“Consequently, DIPL are seeking return of the funds.”

Stuart Reid, administrator with Rodgers Reidy

The spokesman declined to reveal the quantum of the grant but this publication understands it is in excess of $200,000.

The club this month entered voluntary administration.

In recent years PINT has been dogged by noise complaints from residents in Sunningdale Court, about 250m from the club, following installation of a sound stage in the beer garden in 2017.

Live performances were cancelled in 2019 and 2021 pending a solution to noise issues.

In 2021, the Liquor Commission ordered PINT to install a noise limiting device estimated to cost about $100,000.

But the club’s committee voted on July 13 this year to enter voluntary administration and receivers Rodgers Reidy wrote to creditors on Monday advising of a creditors meeting on July 25.

PINT cricket club is an affiliate of the sporting and social club. Picture: Keri Megelus

Stuart Reid from Rodgers Reidy said the club had debts of at least $900,000 with the Australian Taxation Office, suppliers and the NT government the three main creditors.

He said there also appears to be unpaid superannuation liabilities.

The government was first reluctant to provide any details of taxpayer exposure to PINT’s money troubles, with the DIPL spokesman issuing the following statement.

“The appointed administrators are conducting a review of the business in line with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cwth). Where the NTG are creditors in this process, the NTG will engage in the process considering the best interests of the public.”

Players from PINT Football Club during an NTFL game.

Located in the Marrara Sporting Precinct, PINT Club Darwin was established in 1968 making it one of the capital’s oldest licensed clubs.

Mr Reid said saving the club would require “bums on seats” and said its survival depended on the support of locals.

The club said on social media there would be an incorporated member briefing from the board of management at the club from midday on Sunday.

FIGHT FOR PINT: Call to arms for famous NT clubs

One of the Territory’s most famous sports clubs has filed for voluntary administration.

PINT Club in Marrara called in administrators on July 13.

The club owes about $900,000 with the three main creditors being the Australian Taxation Office, Northern Territory government and suppliers to the popular community club.

But PINT has an unusual ally in its fight for survival.

Thirty-year Darwin local and the club’s new administrator, Stuart Reid from receivers Rodgers Reidy, delivered an impassioned call-to-arms for the Darwin community to get behind PINT.

“It will be a decision by creditors and those owed money whether the club has a future with the old debt,” Mr Reid said.

“Creditors like the tax office and Northern Territory government would like to see employment preserved if the club is viable, but ultimately that is a decision taken by creditors.

“I would ask members past and present and the broader community to come and support the club because it’s ultimately about bums on seats.

Stuart Reid, administrator with Rodgers Reidy

“We need to support the club’s revenue because without that support it will be difficult for the club to achieve a deal with creditors.”

Mr Reid said members of the PINT Club board, elected in October, acted appropriately.

“Once they realised the situation they began seeking advice, which is the right thing to do as a committee and once they received that advice they acted appropriately,” he said.

“We’re still working with creditors claims coming in at the moment claims are at least $900,000.

“Because PINT is liquor and hospitality we’re not really dealing with mum and dad investors.”

He said the debts had accumulated over time and were not recent.

Receivers have set a six week limit to wade through the finances and a creditors meeting is scheduled via conference call at Rodgers Reidy’s Woolner offices at 10.30am on July 25.

Mr Reid and his colleague Samantha Rangika Sellahewa, also of Rodgers Reidy, were joint administrators.

A letter sent to creditors on Monday said: “We were appointed administrators of the association by resolution of the committee members on July 13. As administrators we are now in control of the association and will continue to trade until further advice.”

Pint Club was trading Monday night

Creditors have been asked to submit proof of debt and information to substantiate claims or appoint a proxy or another authorised person to vote on their behalf.

The letter said a second meeting of creditors would need to be called post-July 25 to make a decision on the future of the club following preparation of a detailed report setting out PINTs’ future.

PINT Club was trading last night with dozens of people in the saloon bar participating in a pool competition.

Monday night’s pool competition was well attended.

Punters indicated they hoped the club would be able to trade out of its difficulties.

Formerly known as the Postal Institute of the Northern Territory, PINT club was one of a number of clubs including the Buff Club that were popular recreational outlets in Darwin before and after Cyclone Tracy.

It was formerly located in the Gardens before moving to Marrara when the stadium was constructed in the early 1990s.

The Northern Territory government did not confirm if taxpayers are PINT creditors. In a statement a spokeswoman said Licensing NT provides “governance and information support”. to clubs.

“In 2021, the Department (DITT) commenced working with PINT Club Incorporated in relation to a number of its obligations under the Act.”