Hornsby RSL: Hotel, residential, seniors precinct redevelopment plans endorsed by council

A bold vision to transform Hornsby RSL in a multimillion-dollar expansion, set to feature a hotel, apartment tower, restaurant and seniors village, has been endorsed.

A bold vision to transform Hornsby RSL in a multimillion-dollar expansion, set to feature one of the tallest towers in the suburb, has been endorsed by council.

The plans would see towers standing up to 38m tall, including buildings for a 114-room hotel and 164 apartments, as well as six-storey seniors housing precinct developed in the heart of Hornsby, with other features including a function centre, a restaurant with High St frontage and 323 car park spaces.

The mega plans are set for the existing RSL building at 2-4 High St, along with six vacant lots on Ashley St and a further two properties on Webb Ave.

Hornsby RSL CEO Mario Machado told the most recent Hornsby Council meeting the club’s expansion plans would benefit the wider community. The club currently has more than 35,000 members.

“The club remains an enduring nexus for the people of Hornsby and continues to be run for the purposes of providing the best entertainment services and facilities for members, providing assistance to local community groups and charitable organisations, supporting the RSL movement and hosting commemorative events,” Mr Machado said.

What it could look like … an early artist impression of the Hornsby RSL expansion.

“Our purpose is to serve and support our community … (and) this planning proposal for a hotel will benefit the Hornsby community, increase tourism … create jobs and positively impact on many local businesses.”

The plans were backed by Hornsby Chamber of Commerce secretary Laura Fletcher who told the council meeting the proposal would “rejuvenate” the western portion of Hornsby’s CBD.

The current site of the Hornsby RSL.

However, Greens councillor Emma Heyde raised concerns about the club’s annual gambling revenue of $22 million.

“I think it’s important that we know that RSLs are community organisations … but they run off millions and millions of losses from vulnerable people in our community,” she said.

Previous plans for a redevelopment of the RSL site were knocked back in 2016, with a council spokeswoman stating the current proposal was more in line with council’s vision.

“(Previous) consideration of the RSL club planning proposal identified traffic concerns unresolvable for development of the site in isolation,” she said. “Accordingly, the RSL withdrew the planning proposal to work with council and enable a traffic solution to be considered … for the broader town centre.

What it could look like … artist impression of the Hornsby RSL expansion.

There are plans for a new hotel as well as a seniors housing development.

“(This current) proposal is consistent with the recommendations of the draft Hornsby Town Centre Masterplan and progression of the planning proposal would facilitate development to assist job creation, housing supply and the revitalisation of Hornsby west side and town centre generally.”

The spokeswoman said the proposal, particularly plans for the hotel, could help boost the economy as the Hornsby’s CBD is currently lacking “high-quality accommodation, a function centre or conferencing facilities”.

Council has endorsed the proposal to be reviewed by the state government for gateway determination. Greens councillors Tania Salitra and Emma Heyde voted against the plans.

If supported by the state government, the plans will be placed on public exhibition.