Sport
14 July, 2026
Tablelands churches sell-off
FOUR historic Tablelands churches have been listed in a massive property sell-off by the Anglican Diocese Far North.
Herberton’s Holy Trinity Church is first in line, after being included in a list of 11 properties approved for sale in February. Buyer offers close at 4 pm tomorrow.
St. Matthew’s Church, Malanda, St Michael’s Church, Millaa Millaa, and St Barnabas Church and Rectory, Ravenshoe, were among 22 church properties and one land parcel approved for a second sale last Monday by the Supreme Court of Queensland, in Townsville.
The Diocese is selling properties so it can meet its obligations under the National Redress Scheme to compensate survivors of historical child sexual abuse within its institutions, mostly children’s homes, during the 1960s to the 1980s.
It entered receivership in August last year, and SV Partners was appointed by the court to manage its assets, oversee a renewal or restructure process and to meet its compensation obligations under the scheme – established in 2018 by a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
It has reportedly already paid out $1.2 million for historical abuse claims but the debt would peak over the coming 18 months until the Redress Scheme’s deadline in 2028, with some estimates predicting payments reaching up to $11 million.
Without the sales the Diocese was expected to become insolvent, with Justice Johnstone describing the Diocese position as “perilous”.
“The evidence suggests that without the sale of the assets to meet ongoing financial obligations, the Diocese will be insolvent by May of this year,” he had said during the February court hearing.
The first tranche of sales approved included 11 properties being sold through Colliers Townsville and Cairns, including the Herberton church, St Luke’s Church in Cairns and a church residence in Innisfail.
Herberton’s church was advertised as a timber Queensland State Heritage-listed property on a 1,012m² low-density residential allotment with “strong heritage and tourism appeal within an established regional community”.
All offers for the 11 properties in the first-sell off have until tomorrow, 16 July, at 4pm to be locked in.
The second tranche of sales, which includes the Tablelands churches, also lists Cairns’ oldest surviving church building, St Johns Church, on the corner of Lake and Minnie St, which will turn 100 years old in January 2027.
Other historic sites include St Matthew’s Church, Townsville, St Margaret’s in Nebo, and St Luke’s in Weipa.
A statement provided to The Express newspaper last week from SV Partners said the Diocese, in conjunction with the Receivers, had “commenced a renewal process to build a sustainable future for ministry across the region”.
“We understand this news has caused concern in the local community. Decisions of this nature are not taken lightly and are part of a broader process to ensure the Diocese can continue to serve across North Queensland.”
“The Diocese and its receivers are committed to managing this process with care and will continue to engage openly with affected communities.”
Established in 1879, the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland covers 75 congregations, from the Torres Strait to Mackay and west to Mount Isa.
In explaining its renewal plan on its website, the Diocese said: “We have been blessed with property resources that, in some cases, are greater than we can realistically maintain or use.
“This creates an opportunity to reflect responsibly on how these assets may help us meet our obligations.
“We know that any discussion about the possible sale of churches and rectories will be deeply felt. These places carry generations of prayer, fellowship and shared history, and their significance is not lost on us.
“The goal is to ensure survivors of historic abuse are supported, financial stability is restored, and the Diocese can continue serving communities into the future.”
The Express was unable to contact the local ministry for comment last week.
Churches in the region approved for sale include:
St John’s Church, CAIRNS
St. Matthew’s Church, MALANDA
St Michael’s Church, MILLAA MILLAA
St Barnabas Church and Rectory, RAVENSHOE
Vacant land next to St. David’s Church, MOSSMAN
St Augustine’s Church, FORSAYTH
St Michael and All Angels Church, GEORGETOWN
St Thomas’ Church, HUGHENDEN
St Peter’s Church, NORMANTON
St Luke’s Church, WEIPA
St James’ & St John’s Church, KARUMBA
St. Margaret’s Church, CROYDON
