Cairns & District Power Boat & Ski Club

12/06/2026

G’day all,
Following on from our earlier update, and to answer some of the many questions we have fielded, we want to share further details from our 25 May meeting with TRC — particularly regarding the “options” presented to our club.
Council officers provided a summary of the pathways available to us. Each option results in the divestment of the clubhouse from TRC.
Importantly, retaining the clubhouse as a Council asset is NOT being offered as an option.
This is deeply concerning, as it appears to contradict:
• TRC Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes
• Public media statements from Mayor Marti
• Council’s stated commitment to genuine engagement to explore all options.
Even more concerning is that the options presented would result in sole use of the asset, which directly conflicts the very criteria Council says it used to assess assets — particularly the importance of shared, community-based use.
In simple terms:
👉 The criteria say shared use is important
👉 The options allow the facility into sole use
This raises serious questions about the integrity of the process.
Since February, our club has repeatedly reached out to engage with Council. The 25 May meeting was the first genuine engagement we’ve had.
At that meeting, we were politely asked to provide our preferred option by 30 June.
We believe this timeframe is insufficient, especially given:
• Divestment is the only option being offered
• Council began this review process in 2025
• The implications for our club and the wider community are significant.
We remain committed to working constructively with TRC — but genuine engagement must include real options, not predetermined outcomes.
We appreciate the continued support from our community and will keep you updated.

09/06/2026

G’day all,
Time for an update on TRC’s proposed divestment of the Ski Club.
Our club met with Council Officers on 25 May, however the minutes from this meeting are still yet to be provided to us.
During the meeting, officers explained that Council is reviewing approximately 290 assets, with the aim of retaining assets that provide benefit to the community and divesting those that are considered too costly for the return they provide.
The assessment was based on two primary criteria:
1️⃣ Utilisation (how often the asset is used)
2️⃣ Sole use (whether only one group uses the facility)
From this desktop review, our club was ranked 201 out of 290 (with 1 being the worst).
We requested a reassessment, based on the detailed information we have already provided to Council — both in February and again during our deputation in April. This information clearly demonstrates:
✔ The clubhouse was used 42 weeks out of the last 52.
✔ It has supported multiple not-for-profit groups, including the Tablelands Outrigger Club during their regatta
✔ Ongoing access has been provided to rowing and outrigger club members using clubs toilet facilities
Despite this, Council officers advised that no reassessment would occur.
Based on the actual level of use and community benefit, we strongly believe the Ski Club should rank well outside the group of assets being considered for divestment and greater cost savings could be found elsewhere.
We will continue to keep our members and supporters informed as this process unfolds.

22/05/2026

We’ve had a number of questions about how Council officers decide which assets are considered for divestment.
Based on the TRC documentation, the following 5 primary criteria were used when completing an internal assessment. The criteria are ranked based on a community survey. It is unclear how council officers made determinations on some of these criteria without contacting us to verify.
Key factors considered include:
Utilisation – Is the asset being actively used, underused.
Strategic alignment – Does it fit with Council’s Planning Scheme
Heritage Listed – No we are not
Alternative option available
Place of refuge
Our club is having our first meeting with council officers on Monday where we will be seeking to understand how council verified inputs to the internal assessment and if the information that our club has provided in February and again at the April council meeting is sufficient to reassess the proposal to divest the ski clubhouse.

NOTE: There are other criteria however they were not ranked in the community survey results.

21/05/2026

I’m sure this will be a great film.

For those outside the sport, barefoot waterskiing looks impossible....

06/05/2026

How good. We were very pleased to support this event.

05/05/2026

Here is a short summary of what our club presented to Tablelands Regional Council at last weeks council meeting. Unfortunately Councillors present chose not to remove our club from the list. We will now work with council to understand why other not for profit clubs are not included so we can review those requirements and see if they would apply to our clubhouse.

TWO community clubs who will be affected by Tablelands Regional Council’s final decision on the fate of two buildings listed for divestment made an appeal to the Mayor and councillors at last week’s meeting.