Coorparoo Bowls Club Faces Eviction After Lease Renewal Oversight
The Coorparoo Bowls Club in Brisbane is at risk of eviction from its site after failing to exercise a lease renewal option. The club's committee states this was an administrative oversight, while the governing body, Bowls Queensland, which owns the land, indicates it is exploring other options for the property.
Club chairman Mark Delbridge stated that Bowls Queensland rejected requests for deadline flexibility and declined offers from the club to pay higher rent or to repurchase the site for $1.5 million.
Lease and Eviction Dispute
The club's current lease expired after the committee did not activate a clause to extend the 15-year agreement. Club officials stated that the committee, comprised mostly of volunteers, was unaware the lease required renewal three months prior to its expiration. Club spokesperson Michael Morris stated that Bowls Queensland did not inform the club of the missed deadline until it was too late to rectify.
Bowls Queensland stated it spent over $1.3 million subsidizing the club over the preceding 15 years. The organization noted the club only became profitable in the previous year due to subsidized rent. Bowls Queensland said it is exploring other options for the site while seeking to secure the future of the sport of bowls at Coorparoo.
An anonymous club member stated that the club had previously offered to increase its rent to Bowls Queensland to secure its lease.
State MP Joe Kelly indicated that Bowls Queensland is reportedly close to finalizing a contract with a developer. Bowls Queensland has not publicly confirmed or denied this report and has declined to comment on its plans for the site despite inquiries from local, state, and federal government representatives.
If the club does not obtain state heritage listing, it could be evicted by May 31.
Heritage Status and Community Response
The Brisbane City Council added the club to its local heritage register in the previous year. The club is currently applying for state heritage listing, which would provide stronger legal protections.
Deputy Mayor Fiona Cunningham has expressed support for the state heritage application, noting the site is zoned for sport and recreation. She confirmed the council has not yet received a development application for the site.
State MP Joe Kelly and Councillor Cunningham are scheduled to lead a community rally to protest the potential sale of the club.
Mr. Kelly stated that the site was acquired by Bowls Queensland for $1 in 2009, based on an understanding that it would continue to operate as a community sports venue. He described the club as financially viable and a supporter of the local community.
Federal MP Renee Coffey addressed parliament regarding the club's future, urging Bowls Queensland to support its continued community role.
Mr. Kelly noted that half of the community bowls clubs in his Greenslopes electorate have been sold or closed since 2015. The Greenslopes Bowls Club, which previously did not have poker machines, closed in 2022. Reports indicate it is slated to reopen with a large gaming room.