Scouts to sell property in Tasmania over 'large' financial cost of child abuse redress scheme

The branch executive committee last month ratified the decision to sell the Harry Abbott hall in Launceston, Lenah Valley scout hall in Hobart and Kaloma Lodge and campsite in Wynyard before sending out letters to Scout members detailing the decision.

Scouts Tasmania will seek valuations and appoint agents to handle the sales, fearing the organisation could become insolvent if it cannot raise enough funds.

State president Corey McGrath said the organisation opted in to the redress scheme "straight away", and the number of people accessing the scheme had been larger than expected.

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"The impact is probably higher than we thought it might be," he said.

"But the pain we feel is nothing compared to the historical child sexual abuse that occurred. Whilst this is far from a win-win for anybody, it's about making good on historical problems."

Scout activities are not typically held in the Harry Abbott hall, which is largely hired out to other organisations which will need to find new homes.

Lenah Valley scout hall, however, hosts youth groups and is a key part of the Scouts program in the state's South.

Mr McGrath said Scouts Tasmania acknowledged that some members would be upset at the decision, but there were no other options if the organisation wanted to avoid insolvency.

"We need the cash to pay or we'll become insolvent," he said.

"The highest priority was, where possible, to reduce the impact of the sales on youth members.

"The sale of the hall does have an impact on our longer term members."

Scouts Tasmania has assured parents that child safety "is the top of our agenda" and that policies have been put in place in the past 10 years to ensure such abuses cannot happen again.

Mr McGrath said signing up to the redress scheme was a way of acknowledging past abuses and providing support to those affected.

"We can't let that happen ever again," he said.

"We've put in place stronger policies in the past five to 10 years. Child safety is the top of our agenda.

"Both of my boys have been Scouts. It's about creating opportunities to go through the program and become confident young adults. It's unfortunate that to make good on something that happened in the past, it will have an impact on young people in Scouts today."