SPORTING clubs across Brisbane’s Bayside and Redlands are eligible for a share of $27.5 million in recovery funding to help rebuild facilities damaged during severe weather events earlier this year.
The Sport and Recreation Recovery Grants, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), aim to help clubs and local councils repair, restore and improve the resilience of community sporting infrastructure.
Eligible not-for-profit sport and recreation clubs and councils can apply for grants of up to $1 million to repair or rebuild facilities affected by disasters, and to strengthen them against future events.
A total of $27.5 million is available to clubs and councils across 18 South East Queensland local government areas, including Brisbane and Redland City, which were hit by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March.
Among the clubs hardest hit was Wynnum Wolves Football Club, which sustained extensive damage to its fields and facilities at Carmichael Park during the March storms.
Floodwaters inundated playing surfaces and storage areas, forcing the temporary closure of grounds and significant repair works to restore the popular community venue.
In the Redlands, both Capalaba Warriors Rugby League Club and Capalaba Bulldogs Football Club also suffered major flooding and storm damage.
Capalaba Bulldogs President Shaun McAney said it was the worst he had seen in his time at the club.
“We’ve never had it where the water was actually lapping at the clubhouse – everything was completely underwater,” he said.
“For the remainder of the season we were constantly being affected.
“Any bit of rain meant the fields flooded again and we had to postpone games.
“It’s the highest the waters ever come up.”
The storms disrupted training and games for weeks, and repairs to facilities stretched club volunteers and resources to the limit.
