Tackling sport issues

THE Hinchinbrook Shire Council is going on the front foot as part of continuing efforts to ensure the long-term future of sport in the shire.

The council is understood to be in advanced discussions with the Herbert River Junior Cricket Association to relocate from Butler Park to the underutilised showground, Ingham’s premiere sporting facility.

The move would include the construction of a new hybrid cricket wicket and a cricket oval with a 40m boundary.

According to plans, there is also scope for a senior hybrid wicket with an oval with 60m boundaries on the main showground field, offering the possibility of day-night cricket and a truly regional venue.

Additionally, the showground plans have amalgamated track and field infrastructure, including an eight-lane running track, long jump and triple jump, shot put and javelin.

The Herbert River Athletics Club had previously told the Bulletin that despite being financially viable it would close after a history spanning more than 50 years.

Spokeswoman Brenda Oats said three applications to the

Department of Sport to move from the flood-prone George Day Oval to the adjacent Ingham State High School had been knocked back.

Mayor Ramon Jayo said the council was surveying sporting organisations to gauge the issues and how to overcome them.

“We are aware that sporting organisations are struggling and that COVID-19 has simply made it worse,” he said.

“We want to understand what form of assistance would be most beneficial and the best means of delivery so that we can fight back and ensure sustainability of our sports into the future.” Cr Jayo said he understood that clubs were fine financially, but the problem was the “lack of volunteers to help out with running of clubs both on game day, training or even committee positions”.

He said clubs such as Herbert River Athletics were struggling due to the additional burden of maintaining their expansive grounds.

“When you consider that mowing is one of the council’s major expenses for the year, you can get a true appreciation of what such clubs are up against.”

Cr Jayo said the council first approached the athletics club in 2017, and again two months ago.

It is understood the club is making a further application to the Department of Sport for a move to the high school’s expansive grounds.

The mayor said the council had been endeavouring to lift the appeal of the showgrounds, particularly given the council had to pay to maintain the asset whether it was used or not.

“My understanding of the reluctance by sporting associations to use the showgrounds, is the inability to obtain exclusive possession,” he said.