North shore bowling clubs set to be turned into housing
A north shore council is pushing ahead with plans to turn two former bowling clubs into housing amid concerns over loss of community space to meet the region’s rapidly growing population.
North Shore
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Two former bowling clubs are set to be turned into units on Sydney’s north shore after sparking concerns from residents and the State Government over loss of community space.
Ku-ring-gai councillors have supported a plan to rezone the former Gordon and East Roseville bowling clubs into low density housing in a move to bankroll a list of community facilities and school infrastructure projects across the region.
The council had originally planned to redevelop the sites into medium density housing, however plans hit a hurdle from the Department of Planning which ordered future developments be dropped to low density with building heights capped at 9.5m tall.
Councillors at last week’s meeting voted 9-1 on pushing ahead with the low-density alternative – in line with a council report describing the redevelopments as being out of “economic necessity”.
The report showed offloading the sites would make up the bulk of asset sales the council would use to partly fund new sporting facilities at St Ives High School and the Marian Street Theatre redevelopment.
Past members of the Gordon Club, which closed in 2018, have hit out at the prospect, calling for the 1.12ha space to be retained for community space.
Janine Braams-Bowron, a former member who also cooked lunches at club gatherings, said the site had been a popular meeting place for residents for 55 years.
“I would say 99 per cent of members would be totally against housing on that site – they were old school, they loved that area, and were all very sad to let that club go,” she said.
“It’s a perfect spot for a community centre and it could also be a used for local events. It should be something for the community.”
A report by the council stated medium density housing could still be on the cards as part of future planning proposals to meet the region’s housing needs.
The council has written to the Department of Planning requesting a “soft review” of its decision but has yet to receive a response.
The council said rezoning the clubs would “better cater for the demand of Sydney’s changing population by providing a broader range of housing options.”
“Medium density residential zoning would … provide improved housing choice, consistent with community feedback over a number of years,” the council said.
Council figures show low density housing would earn the council up to $18 million less than plans for medium density developments on the sites.
The Department of Planning has called on the council to provide “justification” for the proposed loss of open space and details on what public benefit would be created by selling off the sites.
The move comes after concept plans for the Marian St Theatre redevelopment were released in April with the project including four new theatres and performing spaces with 420 seats for patrons.