Community Building Given New Lease On Life

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Published
16th November 2023

Community buildings have been given a new lease on life thanks to Council support for local organisations.

Council has endorsed three new leases with community organisations, that will see the assets being used and maintained in the years to come.  These include:

  • Inarlinga Sporting and Developmental Assoc. lease of Cowley Beach Community Centre.
  • Mission Beach Tennis Club Inc facility use agreement of tennis clubhouse and courts at Marcs Park.
  • Mission Beach Community Arts Centre Inc. lease at old Girl Guides building at Marcs Park.

The agreements form part of a two-year program to optimise use of Cassowary Coast public buildings and identify those that are no longer providing value to the community. Through this process in consultation with the community, Council has achieved $700,000 in annualised operational and depreciation savings, and $470,000 in asset disposals by sale.

Councillor for Asset Sustainability Barry Barnes explained how the whole community will benefit from this optimised use of community assets.

“The operational savings is equivalent to 1.6% of Council’s budgeted 2023-24 General Rates revenue so this will mitigate upward pressure on annual rate increases for Cassowary Coast residents,”

“A significant component of the recurrent savings is also being redirected into Council’s Community Infrastructure Funding Stream to assist community organisations upgrade their facilities and deliver key projects across the region.” said Cr. Barnes.

Inarlinga Sporting and Developmental Association Inc. representative Michael Roots said the group was very pleased, with the new lease agreement for Cowley Beach Community Centre.

"The new hall is a central place for residents, who will utilise it to socialise, exercise, create and support the community.  With its ideal location right on the beach and being available for hire, it will encourage visitors to the region." said Michael Roots.