Club Willoughby: Decision on new $95m RSL club, seniors living complex

It’s decision time on the much debated $95 million redevelopment plans for one of the biggest RSL clubs on Sydney’s north shore.

Planning officials have met to determine the $95 million project.

Club bosses, developers and residents have had their final say on plans to turn one of the north shore’s biggest RSL venues into a new multistorey club and seniors living complex ahead of long-awaited decision on the project.

A public meeting was held by the Sydney North Planning Panel on Friday to determine the $95 million redevelopment of Club Willoughby at Crabbes Ave and Penshurst St. 

The project includes bulldozing the existing RSL venue to make way for a new three storey club featuring gaming areas, a sports room, restaurants and a dance floor, along with 125 seniors units and a 72-bed aged care facility in buildings up to five storeys tall.

A concept plan of the project, viewed from Crabbes Ave

The meeting came after more than 150 submissions were lodged by residents and nearby business owners with objectors raising concerns over traffic impacts, privacy, and fears the height of the development could set a “precedent” in the low-density area.

Club director Jack Seatter told the meeting the redevelopment would address the ageing state of the existing club and ensure the venue’s long-term financial viability.

“I understand people are against change, but change is inevitable,” he said.

“Reality tells us we really need a renewed club – the alternative is it would be sold off to a developer and that wouldn’t be good for any of us.”

The existing venue would be demolished under the plans.

Friday’s meeting also heard multiple objections from residents over impacts including the design elements of the building, stormwater run-off, construction noise, and the bulk of the building which one resident described as a “concrete jungle”.

Local homeowner Claire Wootton objected to the 20m tall exterior walls of the building overshadowing homes in the adjacent Horsley Ave Heritage Conservation Area.

Fiona Nash, who lives in a unit complex next to the site, said public access areas within the development could also lead to “loitering” near the windows of surrounding homes.

“(We) would live in fear of anti-social activity from this shiny new club,” she said.

The project has been in the works for more than two years.

Resident Sam Bush spoke in favour of the proposal, saying it would address demand for seniors living including those who had “been separated from loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The club’s development representatives addressed concerns from residents and said updated plans had been designed to meet stormwater planning standards, and added the development would provide community benefits including a new park.

Plans show a total of 406 basement carparking spots would also be included in the project.

At the conclusion of the meeting, panel members went behind closed doors to consider the submissions and are expected to publish their decision within one week.

The club, which has partnered with Hyecorp to develop the complex, said construction is expected to take three years to complete if the plans are given the go-ahead.

Plans show the club would also be closed during development – allowing the entire site to be built in one stage as opposed to staged construction works – which the club said would reduce impacts on surrounding residents to the “shortest possible time”.