General News
2 December, 2025
Clubs fail to get rates help
A LAST-ditch effort to provide relief to two community clubs, struggling to find thousands of dollars more for their rates this year, has failed.
In October, Tablelands Regional Council denied requests from both the Atherton Junior Rugby League Club and Tinaroo Sailing Club for a rates concession, but last week, Cr Kevin Cardew tried to rescind that decision and give the clubs the relief they desperately need.
The total amount of the concessions sought is just $14,868.
In front of a packed gallery full of members from both clubs, Cr Cardew put it to the council that it should be supporting such organisations and “feared the leagues club may not survive” if its concession was not granted.
“I’m of the view that council should be supporting not-for-profit sporting clubs and community organisations, especially those who have very limited ability to generate revenue to provide their services to our community,” he said.
“Charging full rates and charges to these organisations who are really struggling to survive could ultimately force them to close which will have a devastating impact on our community.
“In my view, this is not in line with council’s corporate vision for community wellbeing in council’s adopted corporate plan.”
Cr Dave Bilney acknowledged the “very important contribution” that all not-for-profit groups played in the community but reminded the council that all should be treated in a consistent, fair and equitable manner.
“We must ensure that any concessions or assistance do not favour one organisation over another,” he said.
“To do that properly, we need a clear understanding of the current tenure arrangements and the financial support being provided to each and every group through concessions.
“This further requires investigation and may involve reviewing the policies that guide how concessions are applied, along with any other budget implications.
“For these reasons, I cannot support the proposed rescind motion which benefits only two organisations. Instead, we need to look at the full picture to ensure that every not-for-profit group is treated fairly and consistently.”
Cr Kylie Lang said that since the last meeting when she voted to deny the concession requests from the clubs, she had received abuse and been called names.
Citing her record of volunteering in the community for various roles for clubs, Cr Lang said she was not in favour of the clubs’ requests at the October meeting and her view was unchanged.
“What many fail to understand is that every discount and rate relief we approve comes at a cost to the rest of the community,” she said.
“How do we explain to ratepayers who are also financially stretched just meeting day-to-day living costs that we need to increase rates to offset these discounts (for the two clubs)?”
“If we approve these requests today, we are likely to be compelled to approve every request that comes before us.”
But Cr Cardew said supporting community clubs with ratepayer funds, who were providing services to the broader community, was not dissimilar to ratepayers contributing to services like libraries and swimming pools.
Mayor Rod Marti said the matter was a difficult issue and it was important that a comprehensive review be undertaken into how council could support clubs in a consistent manner.
“Every club, every group has got a different set of circumstances, and dynamics and capacity so we’ve got to do this properly,” he said.
“There are literally dozens and dozens of clubs and they’re all seeking something from council.
“Believe me, we do everything we can to share the resources that we’ve got.”
Saying she supported the rates concession, Cr Maree Baade said she understood the need for a review which was forthcoming but “these two groups are paying beyond what the other groups are and I don’t think that’s fair”.
Cr Con Spanos said each club should be looked at individually and not just come under a broad policy.
Chief executive officer Nikola Stepanov said council had to come up with a fair and equitable policy, given the clubs had different capacities to make revenue.
The motion to rescind the decision and give the clubs a concession was defeated with Crs Marti, Lang, Haydon and Bilney voting against it.
“Enjoy youth crime when the kids have got nothing to do,” one person yelled out after the decision as members of the gallery left the room.
