The Hills Bowling Club, Baulkham Hills, fails to receive Hills Shire Council support

A plan to redevelop a beloved bowling club into a residential mecca, with an 18-storey tower and three apartment buildings, has been dealt a blow by council.

A bold plan to transform a Hills Shire institution into a residential mecca, with an 18-storey tower and three apartment buildings standing up to six-storeys in height, has failed to receive council support.

The Hills District Bowling Club — or ‘The Hills Club’ — is located at 6-18 Jenner St, Baulkham Hills, wedged between two heritage sites, ‘Creasy’s’ at 11-13 Old Northern Rd and ‘Baulkham Hills Tramway Cutting’ in George Suttor Reserve.

The bowling club has been a constant for more than 80 years in a Sydney region which has seen many changes. It all began in 1936 when a group of bowlers who were tired of travelling to Parramatta to play decided to band together and build a local club.

But rumours about the bowling club’s plans for a large-scale redevelopment have been in the works for years — with a confidential source claiming in 2019 the club was negotiating to move Baulkham Hills Library into the community hub.

On Tuesday, the Hills Shire Council voted to not support the development proposal which would have transformed the site’s three bowling greens, single-storey clubhouse and restaurant.

Artist impression of what the bowling club could look like from Old Northern Rd.

The opening of The Hills Bowling Club’s new clubhouse. Picture: Hills District Historical Society.

The club’s vision for the site was for the construction of 228 residential units, as well as 3108 sqm of club space and 152 sqm of commercial or retail space.

Under the plans, the bowling club would have towered over its surroundings — with an 18-storey tower coupled with three smaller residential buildings, ranging from five to six-storeys in height.

Artist impression of the proposed redevelopment.

The current Hills Bowling Club. Picture: Angelo Velardo.

But the Hills Shire Council chose not to endorse the bold proposal, citing traffic and height limits as two key areas of concern.

“The planning proposal should not proceed … (in) the absence of a commitment from (the state) government to the resolution of regional traffic and transport issues impeding development within the Baulkham Hills Town Centre,” council documents state.

The Hills Shire local planning panel also noted the maximum height of the 18-storey tower — 63 metres — would make it the tallest building in an area where the maximum building height is currently set at 50 metres.

In its decision, council did state it would be open to further proposals as The Hills Club “contributes to the vibrancy of the town centre” and had not benefited from the Baulkham Hills Town Centre masterplan.

“The site has a unique feasibility scenario, and it is evident that the proposed density … (is) being sought as a means of allowing the … preservation of the bowling club within the town centre,” planning documents state.

“(But while) a balanced consideration of these various factors is required, the opportunity to retain the club should not necessarily be at the expense of the high quality, high amenity residential development … that is expected in the Hills Shire.”

The Hills Club declined a request to comment.