E-Petition

The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House the decision by Bowls Queensland to sell the site of the Coorparoo Bowls Club, a long-standing community sporting venue that has served local residents for generations.

The decision to sell the site raises concerns about the protection of community sporting assets that have benefited from government support, public funding, and community investment. Bowls Queensland acquired the Club in 2009 for $1.00 on the basis that Bowls Queensland agreed to only use the freehold land for the purposes of promoting and enhancing the game of bowls.

The loss of this Club would permanently remove an important recreational facility and public space and undermine participation in lawn bowls. The sale of a dedicated sporting and community facility by a peak body for the administration of that sport, like Bowls Queensland, and continued public funding for such a body to support the sport, does not meet public expectations. This is against the charter of Bowls Queensland.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to undertake a review of funding arrangements with Bowls Queensland, including grants, program funding, and other forms of public funding and:

• assess whether funding provided to Bowls Queensland meets obligations;
• examine accountability arrangements for Bowls Queensland to ensure public funding is used in a manner that supports the long-term sustainability of community bowls facilities; and
• consider mechanisms to protect community sporting assets, including policies that discourage or prevent the sale or loss of community bowls clubs.