Townsville City Council has assured the future of the city's local AFL competition after councillors endorsed new leases for AFL Queensland, Curra Swans and Hermit Park Tigers.
At the last Ordinary Meeting of Council, councillors voted to endorse community leasing on three fields at Murray Sports Precinct following the dismantling of AFL Townsville.
Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said this would ensure two of Townsville's historic AFL teams still had a field to play on.
"Hermit Park Tigers and the Curra Swans have been playing their home games at Murray for a few seasons now," Cr Soars said.
"Previously, the lease for the three fields at Murray was held by AFL Townsville.
"Now AFL Townsville is no more, councillors have endorsed to split the lease in three, with Tigers and Swans to retain their home grounds and AFL Queensland to take on the third field and the car park.
"AFL is the most-watched sport in Australia and one of the most played sports in Townsville.
"Hundreds of people participate in the local competition each season, and it is great Council can support the league through issuing these community leases."
Mayor Jenny Hill said this was one of the ways Council supports community groups and local sporting organisations.
"In this year's budget we announced $33 million will be spent to help with affordability for residents, sporting organisations and community groups," Cr Hill said.
"Issuing these $1 leases and forgoing the revenue is a massive help to sporting clubs like the Swans and Tigers.
"It means they can get on with playing games and growing their clubs which helps to improve the city's liveability and health of residents.
"Council recognises and is committed to meeting the needs of community organisations to have access to Council owned or controlled land through appropriate and consistent tenure arrangements."
