UPDATED: A Mooloolaba Marina representative says the marina did not request an increase in rent from the Sunshine Coast Yacht Club, which had cited increasing rental costs and a lack of members as reasons for its closure.
Marina company secretary Kerri Smith said, via a belated response to Sunshine Coast News, that the club was “offered a smaller premises on the site at the same rental rate, which would have reduced their rental expense, however they declined citing falling member numbers.”
“I can assure you there was definitely no increase in SCYC’s rent.”
The yacht club had earlier said an increase an increase in rent, combined with falling numbers of members, had forced their hand.
EARLIER: One Sunshine Coast yacht club has sunk while another has changed tack at Mooloolaba Spit.
The 17-year-old Sunshine Coast Yacht Club has keeled over after it couldn’t pay a “significant increase” in rent at the Mooloolaba Marina.
Meanwhile, the 56-year-old Mooloolaba Yacht Club has found some stability, by moving into a modest home at the facility.
For the members of the former, it was a “sad decision” to de-register the club and close its doors.
“Unfortunately, the catalyst for our decision was a request from the marina to vacate our current premises and move into a small demountable,” the club’s management committee said via social media last month.
“We were due for our three-yearly rent review, which resulted in a significant increase in our monthly rent.
“We have therefore agreed to vacate the premises by June 30.
“It would not be practical to move into the unsuitable alternative building.”
The club had tried several initiatives to try to stay afloat but was unsuccessful.
“We have suffered reduced membership rates and involvement in recent years, resulting in financial stress,” the committee said.
“Many factors have contributed to this, (including) the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing issues surrounding the river bar conditions, along with a general decline in keelboat club sailing in many regions.”
The Mooloolaba Yacht Club, which has a much stronger supporter base, found a permanent home, after months of uncertainty.
Their lease ended at the nearby The Wharf last year and the club moved into a temporary base at the marina before securing a lease for a demountable there.
MYC commodore Tanya Kelly spoke of the club’s resilience and friendship and its “fight against the odds” at a recent opening of the clubhouse.
“Whether it is one of our sailors competing hard in a regatta or a fighting for survival, it’s the people who make the club, and that’s the story of Mooloolaba Yacht Club,” she said.
Ms Kelly thanked the board of the marina, which worked closely with the board of the club to make it possible for them to find a home in the precinct.
“Many parts of the building have been built by the members of the MYC,” she said.
“They have created a meeting and social area that will support the club into the future as its membership base builds.”
Sunshine Coast News has contacted the Mooloolaba Marina for comment but is yet to receive a response.
The State Government, represented by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, owns, and manages the site that includes the marina.
It is formally known as the Mooloolaba State Harbour.
A spokesperson said state ownership of the harbour enabled TMR to “provide safe and efficient all-tide access for recreational and commercial vessels.”
They also said the harbour allowed TMR “to facilitate investment and development, to support and promote sustainable recreational and commercial boating activities and the maritime industry.”
TMR said they have a lease in place with Sunshine Coast Aquatic Centre Pty Ltd (SCAC) for their exclusive use and operation of their business in the Mooloolaba State Boat Harbour.
TMR said that details of TMRs commercial leasing arrangement with SCAC was commercial and in-confidence and that all sub-leasing arrangements “are a matter for SCAC.”
TMR said it was investigating options for the future of the harbour.
“As part of the ongoing management of Mooloolaba State Boat Harbour, we are investigating potential future strategic planning activities to ensure it continues to support and promote sustainable recreational and commercial boating activities and the maritime industry.”
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