Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) and Yaralla Sports Club have agreed to a large land parcel transfer and lease renegotiation to support expansion of the club and continued investment in facilities, including a new bowling green.
Under the previous agreement, Yaralla Sports Club leased 5.897ha of land on the corner of Bell Street and O’Connell Street, Barney Point from QAL for more than two decades. That lease gave Yaralla the option to purchase the land from QAL on expiry for a nominal sum. In December 2021, Yaralla exercised this option and re-negotiated the lease with QAL, resulting in the sale of 3.708ha of the land to Yaralla, and the continued lease of the remaining land for a further nominal sum.
Yaralla Sports Club Chief Executive Will Schroeder said, “Yaralla Sports Club has a long and proud history of working closely with QAL in support of our community.
“The most recent changes to the lease provide freehold security over much of the land, paving the way for further investment into facilities.
The Club has received a development approval from Gladstone Regional Council for the construction of a new synthetic bowling green and works have already commenced on the upgrade of sports lighting on the Cricket Oval. With further plans on the horizon the future for Yaralla Sports Club and its members looks positive,” said Mr Schroeder.
QAL General Manager, Pine Pienaar said, “QAL has supported the Gladstone community since construction of the Club began in 1963. Our partnership with Yaralla Sports Club continues today by supporting our team members and their families with health, fitness and lifestyle benefits.
“We are proud of our ongoing relationship with the Club, and delighted to see Yaralla continue to reinvest all profits back into local businesses and sporting groups, as well as providing local jobs.”
Yaralla Sports Club began in 1966 as ‘Queensland Alumina Sports Club’ with the purpose of providing QAL employees and their families sporting and sports related activities. Over the years, the Club expanded and renovated, and, in 1992, gained its independence from QAL and was incorporated as ‘Yaralla Sporting Club Inc’. Since 2003, QAL has sponsored nearly 4,000 Yaralla membership packages for team members, and over the past decade Yaralla Sports Club has contributed more than $1.5 million to the local community. It continues to be the largest non-government contributor to Gladstone’s sporting, community and charitable facilities.
Giving back to the community is at the core of QAL and Yaralla Sports Club, and together, with the new lease agreement, this means that initiatives that help contribute to the vibrancy and success of the Gladstone community will continue.