General News
17 June, 2025
Historic property to be sold
THE historic Bellenden Ker Memorial Hall is to be sold off by Cairns Regional Council.
The Harvey Creek Rd property first opened in December 1936 with more than 300 people attending the dedication ceremony. The community had raised funds over several years to build the hall. But a council report said the hall was hardly used despite it being in good condition.
Cr Brett Moller, whose division one includes Bellenden Ker, said councillors had to think carefully about disposing of a public asset because it could never get it back.
He said it was not used anymore, with the last community event in 2022 and the CSIRO booking the hall once last year.
Cr Moller said there were issued with the hall because it was close to two residences, it was too close to Harvey Creek Rd and there was little parking as well as part of the building encroached on to a neighbouring property.
A council report said the hall was identified as a ‘stranded asset’ and it was recommended it be sold.
“A ‘stranded asset’ is an existing facility that may no longer meet community program and activity needs and an alternative community-based use cannot be identified,” the report said.
“In other cases, a facility may be at the end of life and investment in refurbishment or redevelopment is not warranted due to the lack of ongoing need or cost benefit analysis indicating a purpose-built replacement is more cost effective.
“The hall has limited ability for groups to hire the space due to the close proximity to a neighbouring residential property. A previous attempt to cater for a church group at the hall failed due to noise complaints from the adjoining resident.
“There is potential for some resistance from the local community regarding the disposal of the hall.
“It should be noted that there have been no requests from the community to use the hall for any purpose in the last three years.”
The report said the hall was costly to maintain, including pest control and repairs.
