By Logan mayor Jon Raven
A real cowboy would never graze his cattle in another person’s paddock.
But that’s exactly what the North Queensland Cowboys want to do in Logan.
Their plan for a new leagues club in Holmview might sound like a good idea in our league-loving city. And you can bet they’ll promise jobs, community support and a plan to “give something back” to local people.
But let’s not kid ourselves.
This proposal is a pokies den pretending to be a pub, and its entire business model relies on pinching money from Logan families seven days a week and send it back up to Townsville.
My message to the Cowboys is simple: Logan is not your cash cow.
If you really love us so much, how ‘bout you pack up your saddle, and your swag, and move down to Logan for real?
The fact is, the Cowboys have had 20 plus years to raise money for their club in North Queensland. In all that time, they’ve only put about $13 million back into their own community.
Now, they want to come to Logan where they estimate they’ll make a similar amount for themselves. Around $13 million. Every. Single. Year.
But why should we bankroll a North Queensland club?
They’ve tried to sweeten the deal for us. They say Logan will receive $100,000 in community grants in the first year, and around $1.5 million over the next four.
That’s not enough. And it doesn’t offset the real harm that pokies can cause.
For me, this proposal just doesn’t pass the pub test.
But now it’s up to the people of Logan.
The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal, and I encourage everyone to make a submission.
If we stay silent, the Cowboys will think they can take the people of Logan for a ride.
So let’s make sure they hear us loud and clear.
It’s time for the Cowboys to giddy up and go back where they came from.
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