Brisbane Pools Reopen as Lord Mayor commits $11.8 million to assist community and sports groups

Two of Brisbane City Council's aquatic centres, affected by January's floods, have reopened.
A Brisbane City Council spokesperson told Australasian Leisure Management that the Jindalee and Bellbowrie Pools, closed due to flood damage, reopened to the public at the beginning of March.
At the Bellbowie Pool, the facility is operating with a temporary entrance as the reception area and kiosk was extensively damaged during the floods. It is also open during daylight hours only ï¾ as the flooding also damaged lighting while parts of the complex remain fenced off.
As the Pool reopened, Ward Councillor Margaret deWit, explained, "given the initial estimate was that the complex would not reopen this summer this has been a mammoth effort on the part of Council officers and lessee Vlad Fodor and I thank them for their hard work.
"The public can be assured that the pool water quality will be safe as a microbiological water test has been conducted to ensure bacteriological test results are satisfactory.
Councillor deWit also the acknowledged the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, CSIRO Pinjarra Hills, Aquapure and Trisleys for their help in the clean-up efforts as well as the many selfless locals who volunteered to lend a hand.
She also stated that "Vici Australia, Royal Life Saving and Austswim have generously donated learn to swim and pool equipment as the pool's existing stock was lost in the floods."
Both the Bellbowrie Pool and the Jindalee Pool have benefitted from City Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's Community Facility Flood Recovery Package, receiving $2.2 million and $1 million respectively.
In total, Lord Mayor Newman's Flood Recovery Package is providing $11.8 million to assist Brisbane community and sporting groups damaged in the January floods
When launching the Community Facility Flood Recovery Package Lord Mayor Newman said it would provide direct financial assistance, free rent periods and capital funding to the many Brisbane sporting and community groups affected by the flood, stating "84 community and sporting clubs across 46 suburbs were devastated by flooding in January, and more than 220 fields, courts, greens and sheds were affected.
"Brisbane City Council's Community Facility Flood Recovery Package will aid in the recovery of clubs' facilities along with the Lord Mayor's Community Disaster Relief Fund.
"Clubs will receive a one-off $5,000 payment and can apply for additional grants funding of up to $150,000 for facilities to assist with their rebuilding, as well as free rent periods for council facilities.
Lord Mayor Newman also announced the first round of grants to 13 sports clubs and community groups through the Lord Mayor's Community Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was set up by the Lord Mayor is response to strong demand from people wanting to donate directly to the Brisbane community following the flood.
"Through the generous donations of people wanting to assist Brisbane directly, an additional $535,000 will be distributed to sporting and community groups most in need," Lord Mayor Newman added.
Lord Mayor Newman said through the Community Flood Recovery Package, capital funding had been committed to the refurbishment of a number of flood-affected sporting facilities, including Davies Park and Orleigh Park Rowing Pontoons ($750,000), Faulkner Park Netball Courts ($425,000), Centenary Rowing ($50,000) as well as the Bellbowrie and the Jindalee Pools.
Lord Mayor Newman said all affected sporting clubs were also invited could receive a grant of up $20,000 per field, pitch, oval or green, to assist with their rehabilitation.
All applications are to be submitted via an online application form on Council's website.
To apply for a Community Facility Flood Recovery Grant call 07 3403 8888.

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au