General News
5 May, 2026
Clubs appeal for buildings to be de-listed
TWO community clubs who will be affected by Tablelands Regional Council’s final decision on the fate of two buildings listed for divestment made an appeal to the Mayor and councillors at last week’s meeting.
The Cairns and District Power Boat and Ski Club, which operates out of a clubhouse at Tinaburra Drive at Yungaburra, asked the council to remove its building from the list, saying it had never cost the council any money to build or maintain.
“Our club is fully funded by ski club members and constructed by members and their friends,” president Simon Greenwood said.
“At no stage has there ever been any grants, support or in-kind support from any level of government.
“So, from a financial perspective, zero burden to the ratepayers of the Tablelands – not only in the construction of the facility, but the ongoing operation and maintenance of that facility, as well as utilities.”
He said the club had had a physical presence at the site for 44 years and he could not understand why the clubhouse would be on the list for divestment, noting it would actually cost council money to go down the consultation path with them.
“If you want to save money? I reckon we could save (the council) a couple of thousand dollars if you took us off the list today,” he said.
“If you leave us as we are today, there’s a zero dollar impact to ratepayers – an immediate saving today could be achieved.”
Cr Kevin Cardew asked Mr Greenwood how taking ownership of the clubhouse could negatively impact the club.
“From a taking ownership perspective, I would assume that with that comes the payment of rates,” Mr Greenwood said.
“We have just had valuation sent through and that was $1 million – there is no way any small not-for-profit club could afford rates attached to that.
“If we were to continue down the divestment path, we would definitely need to talk with council about that. If it was $10,000 a year, there is no way.”
Ravenshoe Lions Club secretary Ray Mitchell also spoke to council at its meeting, urging it to remove the Archers Creek toilet block from the divestment list.
He said the area was a favoured location for families to swim in the summer months and could hold up to 50 campers a night.
Without the public amenities, it “could lead to the accumulation of human waste which could contaminate the surrounding area”.
The toilets were also well-used on monthly market days during which the Lions Club does some cleaning and replenishes toilet paper.
“If the toilet block was taken over by Lions Club, it would be a drain on our limited resources and money raised by the club would need to be redirected to this facility and limit the assistance we can supply to the community,” Mr Mitchell said.
He presented the council with a petition of 364 signatures calling for the toilet block to be retained by the council.
