Mareeba council set to sell leagues club land for major expansion
A new deal could see Mareeba Leagues Club double in size while resolving maintenance costs that have burdened local ratepayers
A Far North council looks set to offload its local rugby league club’s land and facilities to help the club kick off a major expansion.
Mareeba Shire Council will consider a proposal to sell the land, building, car park and grandstand on Doyle and Riordan St to the Mareeba Leagues Club.
This sale would bypass the usual auction or tender process because the land is being disposed of to a community organisation, and will be sold at or above market valuation.
It comes as the Mareeba Leagues Club has applied to Council to redevelop and expand the club from 842 square metre gross floor area to 1828 square metres.
“While the timing of the proposed refurbishment is unknown, it is noted that the areas and facilities forming the subject of the lease and sublease will differ from those created by the refurbishment,” the council report said.
The club’s expansion includes new functions rooms and alfresco dining, changes to the gaming area, joining the existing grandstand, more meeting rooms and change room upgrades.
Council officers recommend entering into a sale contract with club which includes a 100-year lease over the grand stand, changerooms and amenities to ensure it is preserved for public use.
The lease would also stop the leagues club from selling or transferring ownership of it.
The leagues club has operated under a 30-year commercial lease since November 1993.
Council bought the land that houses the building, car park, and grandstand from the state government for about $700,000 in 2023.
“The decision by Council at the time was taken with the intention that MLC would be financially self-reliant with profits distributed for community benefit,” the report said.
“Throughout the life of this agreement however, Council has borne the costs of significant maintenance and renewal costs at the request of MLC.”
The council report said the sale will reduce operating costs
The ordinary council meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 19.
Originally published as Mareeba council set to sell leagues club land for major expansion
