The closure of the Hellenic Club’s city venue has been labelled a warning sign for Canberra’s community club sector, with an industry leader pointing to growing financial and regulatory pressure.
ClubsACT chief executive Craig Shannon said the decision to shut the Civic site and focus on the club’s Woden precinct reflected a broader trend across the industry.
“The Hellenic Club in the City has been an important part of Canberra’s club landscape, and this is plainly a decision that has not been taken lightly,” Mr Shannon said.
“Hellenic is doing what many clubs are now being forced to do: consolidate, focus resources, and try to secure a sustainable future.”
He said the closure — the second in six months — highlighted increasing strain on clubs.
“This is not just a venue story. It is another warning sign for the ACT club sector,” he said.
“Bigger clubs are consolidating to survive and smaller clubs are under growing stress.”
Mr Shannon said rising costs, pressure on revenue and regulatory barriers were making it harder for clubs to remain viable or diversify.
“You cannot keep taking revenue out of clubs, piling on new costs and maintaining barriers to diversification, then act surprised when venues close,” he said.
The comments come as the ACT Government considers its response to the independent inquiry into the sector.
“If the ACT wants a viable club sector into the future, it needs a serious transition framework and policy settings that support, not squeeze, community clubs,” Mr Shannon said.
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