Drought could be over

Logan and District Rowing Association's Barry Dowling and LIz Anderson at the site they believed was the best location for the proposed rowing and water sport facility.

LOGAN River could soon have its first public rowing and water sport facility following an announcement by Logan City Council to fund a feasibility study into whether it was viable to construct the proposed centre.

The news has been welcomed by Logan and District Rowing Association (LADRA) who have spent more than five years planning to build the long-overdue complex.

The facility would accommodate up to 50 boats, catering for other water sports like dragon boating, kayaking and canoeing.

It could also include a workshop area, office and function space and activities area.

But LADRA remained a little frustrated with the council’s decision to fund a feasibility study when they have already identified and done the ground work to what they claimed to be “far and away” the best spot on the river to build the facility.

The location is at the end of Federation Drive, Bethania, which only became available when Logan’s boundary extended in March 2008.

LADRA development officer, Barry Dowling said the only thing stopping the association from applying for grants to fund the new public shed was the council to agree on a block of land.

“All we need is a formal lease to be drawn up and then we can start applying for public funding,” he said.

“This spot ticks all the boxes – it’s the most cost-effective option, we wouldn’t have to cut down any mangroves, there’s only a short distance to walk from the shed to the water, it’s just above ground level so you wouldn’t have to do much cut-and-fill and as you see (as Mr Dowling points to the empty car park during a Sunday morning) hardly anyone uses the jetty.”

But Health, sport and community services committee chairman, Cr Phil Pidgeon (Division 9) said the council needed to undertake its own study.

“LADRA has previously investigated potential sites for a facility but no comprehensive feasibility study has been undertaken to date,” he said.

“A feasibility study would also support any future funding applications that the council or LADRA may submit to the State or Federal Government.”

The study would also identify the benefits and constraints associated with the construction of a water sports facility on the Logan River and whether the council could directly support the establishment of such a facility.

However LADRA president, Liz Anderson feared the feasibility study could take months.

“We are looking forward to working in partnership to build this rowing and water sports facility and we welcome their quick and active participation and agreement to ensure this facility is built in the shortest amount of time and that the process won’t drag on longer than it should,” she said.

“If the council wishes, they’re more than welcome to send the independent consultant they’ll hire to come talk to us and we can show them what we have and prove why this site is the best.

“Really this shouldn’t take more than a week, otherwise it’s just a waste of money and time.”

LADRA currently has about 50 members who travel to either Brisbane or Gold Coast to row and with a number of local schools indicating they would use the complex, there’s an endless amount of people who would take advantage of the complex according to Mr Dowling.

“If we can get a facility it would mean the Logan community, mostly the youth, will have access to sporting opportunities not available to them in the past,” he said.

LADRA are seeking interest from the community. Anyone wishing to support can contact Mr Dowling on 3806 8630.