A petition has launched against plans to redevelop Forestville RSL Club into a new clubhouse underneath apartments and surrounded by retirement housing.
The club first submitted plans to construct 55 independent living units for retirees on its Melwood Avenue, Forestville, property about six months ago.
The design replaces the bowling greens with a new clubhouse with 16 retirement units on top, as well as three separate three storey buildings for retirement living where the current main club is.
The $77 million dollar proposal is now under consideration with the Sydney North Planning Panel because of its size and significance.
The RSL says the plans are aimed at ‘future proofing’ the club and reducing its reliance on gaming.
But critics, including petition creator, Dominic Alecci, say the club is being changed from a “beloved gathering place for families and the wider community” into a “large, imposing, suburb-dominating retirement village, with a new small poker-machine-prevalent RSL club inside it.”
Alecci has further aired concerns that members had not been able to review or vote on the proposed development, and first saw the detailed designs after it was submitted for approval to Northern Beaches Council.
“[It’s been changed to a] large, imposing, suburb-dominating retirement village.”
Alecci’s petition, available here, currently has about 800 signatures.
The NSW Registered Clubs Act 1976 No. 31, section 41E, states that any proposal by a registered club to dispose (sell, lease or licence the use of, or otherwise deal with) Club property must be approved by ordinary Club members at a general meeting at which a majority of votes support the proposal.
To our knowledge, no such general meeting or vote has taken place.
Manly Observer understands that the Board has stated a general meeting will be called soon seeking member approval for the ambitious development.
Forestville RSL Club CEO, Ian Thomson said the legal advice the club had was that a vote should happen soon after the DA approval.
Mr Thomson also countered that the submitted plans show a “slightly smaller” gambling area and reiterated that the internal layout plans are not finalised.
“That said, gaming is a legal activity in NSW Clubs and Pubs,” he added.
“Many people gamble safely and responsibly as a leisure activity and the Club takes very seriously its duty of care in this area.”
Mr Thomson said that as soon the Board had confirmed its new strategy of a new Club and retirement housing (independent living units), they “relayed this to members as soon as practicable.”
“No-one who has actively interacted with the Club over recent years could say they were not informed of where the Club saw its future,” he said.
“No-one who has actively interacted with the Club over recent years could say they were not informed of where the Club saw its future.”
“The Club has not compromised, or breached, its fiduciary or constitutional responsibilities and/or powers by submitting the DA. Many, many clubs have embarked on similar journeys. To Dee Why RSL, Willoughby Legion Club, Harbord Diggers, Dee Why Master Builders, Chatswood Golf Club and these are only the local examples. The list goes on.”
However, Council finding non-compliance issues with sections of the application, the RSL says it continues to meet to ‘fine tune’ the project. (Record of most recent briefing with Sydney North Planning Panel here).
“Overall, things are progressing as expected and we look forward to a decision by Council within a few months,” Mr Thomson said.
“We were never naive enough to expect 100 per cent support for the proposed redevelopment but the visible and overwhelming support we have received to date is extremely encouraging, notwithstanding a small but active group who seem opposed to the project.”
The Annual General Meeting (the AGM) of the Club will be held in a fortnight on 28 April and another Member Information Session will be held at the conclusion of the AGM. It is not known when any vote relating to the project will take place.
Only members who are present will be eligible to vote, so those interested in having their say should keep abreast of communications.
The club has a dedicated website set up called www.heartofforestville.com.au and the development can be viewed in detail here.
