The Whitlams singer Tim Freedman has voiced his support for the Stafford community and their opposition to a plan to redevelop the derelict local bowls club into a sports bar, including poker machines.

The Brisbane City Council last year transferred the lease to the Brisbane Racing Club, after the Stafford Bowls Club sit fell into disrepair.

But the plan has raised the ire of locals, who oppose the pokies plan and are calling for a community hub.

Freedman, who co-wrote the Whitlams’ hit Blow up the Pokies, told Neil Breen he agrees.

“I think there’s a resurgence around the country in people caring about trying to limit the damage of poker machines,” he said.

“My antenna went up when I heard about Stafford Bowls Club, because it seems like it’s going against the grain at the moment and it felt as if, council might have taken a bit more care to gather a few more options with what they’d do with that space rather than just surrendering to the old model.”

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