Club thrown a lifeline
Sailing fraternity can make plans if Labor wins vote
TOWNSVILLE Sailing Club has been promised a multimillion-dollar lifeline days out from an election, in a move that would save the organisation from being booted out of its long-time home on The Strand.
Labor, if re-elected, will inject $4m into the Townsville Sailing Club so it can purchase the land it currently occupies from developers looking to turn the nearly 20year-old clubhouse into apartments and restaurants.
The club, led by commodore Craig Knight, has been fighting to raise the funds, including through applying for government grants, to purchase the land for nearly two years or risk being kicked out when the lease expires in December 2021.
The developers have been sitting on planning approvals since 2014 and have been trying to find a buyer. The parking lot of the club has been put up for sale three times since June last year.
The price tag has surged from $649,000 to $850,000 in that time.
Mr Knight said the club could breathe a sigh of relief and, granted the election outcome, charge ahead with long-term plans to establish a water sport hub at their Mariners Drive site to grow local talent and attract events to
The Strand. “The real big thing is that we are now actually able to go out and say we want to bring in all these activities,” he said.
“It’s a great feeling.” Whatever cash is left after purchasing the land from developers Toprise Australia Pty Ltd will go towards initial development plans water sport hub.
It’s hoped more than 20 local aquatic sports clubs, with a combined 2000 members, will be able to make use of the hub once completed.
Treasurer Cameron Dick will announce the funding alongside Townsville MP for the
Scott Stewart today. It is the third Townsville electoratespecific funding announcement made by Labor in as many days, as the party attempts an aggressive eleventh-hour push to get Mr Stewart over the line in Queensland’s most marginal seat.