General News
22 December, 2025
Grants for clubs to prosper
THIRTEEN local clubs are receiving grants from Cairns Regional Council to keep delivering the sporting, recreational and community services that residents of all ages rely on.
Council is allocating $269,000 through the 2025/26 Go Clubs Infrastructure Assistance Grant to improve facilities across the region.
The recipients are:
Cairns and District Senior Citizens Association – building upgrades, $14,897
Cairns Model Aero Club – shade structure, $17,586
Cairns Netball Association – fencing, $25,000
Cairns Saints Australian Football Club – water drinking and refill station, $15,910
Earlville Pony Club – lighting, $24,983
Ellis Beach Surf Life Saving Club – security systems, $22,370
Freshwater Tennis Club – building upgrades, $25,000
Leichhardt Football Club – waterproofing building works, $17,274
Leichhardt Junior Soccer Club – dugouts, $18,773
Marlin Coast Rangers Football Club – bore pump and repairs, $12,207
Southern Suburbs Rugby League Club – multiuse storage shed, $25,000
Stratford Bowls Club – accessibility concrete works, $25,000
Surf Life Saving North Queensland Branch – emergency response storage hub/garage, $25,000.
Cr Cathy Zeiger (Div. 3) told last week’s council meeting that 37 applications were received.
“Many applications, I’m sure, were so close to being successful, but there was only $269,000 available. And I, and I’m sure my fellow councillors, would love to see the available funds for this grant to be increased in future budgets,” she said.
“Look, clubs play a vital role in our community, and they’re run by volunteers, and they’re amazing in the way that they’re able to get so much more for their dollar than what we can so, you know, they’ve got the volunteers and the teams, and they just get into it and get it done.”
Cr Matthew Tickner (Div. 2) said the Comet Soccer Club and Mulgrave Cricket Club missed out, but would be benefitting from $250,000 set aside for security at the frequently vandalised Walker Rd sporting precinct.
Cr Brett Moller (Div.1) said he was pleased the Cairns Model Aero Club had received a grant, having recently moved to Thomson Rd from Jones Rd.
“They’ve relocated their building infrastructure there. They’re in line for a state championship and a national championship, so they’re going very well,” he said.
