A NATIONAL centre of excellence for women’s sport was debated by Logan City Council (LCC) this week, with the sticking point being the proposed location at the 10.2-hectare Cronulla Park in Slack’s Creek.
The state government returned the park to LCC under an agreement to also provide $6.6 million for the establishment of a Police and Community Youth Club (PCYC), once the site came up for grabs after the scrapping of a planned greyhound racing facility in February.
Councillor Lisa Bradley (Division 1) argued against the proposal, citing a lack of free space in the northern divisions of the LCC, and a Facebook survey of over 500 of her constituents showing support for a specialist womens’ centre was very low.
She said she would back the plan in other areas of Logan City, but not at Cronulla Park.
Mayor Luke Smith said he wanted to see the centre in Logan City, as he believed it would be the first such centre in Australia, an assertion that was backed by Councillor Jon Raven (Division 5).
Councillor Darren Power (Division 10) said Logan City residents don’t have enough sport venues for locals, with a high level of competition for time at existing infrastructure. “We need to look after our own,” he said.
Deputy mayor Cherie Dalley (Division 8) said she was “pleased to hear the passion” on the proposal and that she supported it 100 per cent, before advising the chamber to consider the benefits.
The motion was carried and there will now be an investigation and subsequent report into the proposal.
