General News
14 April, 2026
Court repairs look doubtful
THE future of Euramo’s public tennis courts is under a cloud after recent vandalism left fencing around the courts badly damaged.
Before the mid-February attack – likely caused by a ute or similar vehicle being driven into perimeter fences on two sides – the small community south of Tully had been raising funds to maintain and improve the courts.
But now, it’s unclear whether the fencing will be fixed through further fundraising at the local Hotel Euramo, or if the courts are removed under a council proposal as part of its 2026-2027 budget process.
A Cassowary Coast Regional Council spokeswoman told The Observer that, although the land the courts was on council trusteeship, repairs had not been carried out and were unlikely to be because the courts were earmarked for complete removal.
“Council is the trustee of the reserve on which the Lihs Road tennis court is located,” the spokeswoman said.
“Consistent with council’s 2021 resolution to rationalise underutilised community assets, including the removal of the courts, council has not undertaken repairs to the fencing damaged in February,” she said.
“Given there is currently no user agreement in place with any group for this asset council does not intend to undertake those repairs and will consider funding for the removal of the courts as part of the 2026/27 budget process.”
Historically the tennis courts, thought to have been originally built in the mid-1950s, served as a central social and sporting hub for the Euramo farming community and local families.
But for several years now, the courts have been categorised by council as a “low-use” or “underutilised” asset – and considered by some technical assessments to be not fit for purpose due to ageing surfaces.
Before the vandalism, a main organiser of the recent reactivation of the courts by families (mainly at weekends), Jason Morice, recently moved out of the area and it is not known if anyone else will take up his role in trying to give the facility new life.
“Council officers have, however, continued to engage with community representatives to gauge interest in the future of the facility and its potential community use,” the council spokeswoman said.
Most likely, the best chance for the courts to be retained is either through a community infrastructure grant – or a strong push from the Euramo community.
Council has recently granted funds to other regional clubs, for example the Tully Tennis Club, for resurfacing.
But typically grants like those are awarded to active, incorporated groups.
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