Action group welcomes consultation with Easts Group

Support building for Easts Group plan to convert Waverley Bowling Club into an aged care facility

A residents action group that has protested furiously against the proposed redevelopment of Waverley Bowling Club in the past has indicated support for Easts’ latest plans for the club.

In a shift that could see the Leagues Club’s latest redevelopment bid approved at last, the Save Waverley Bowlo members group said it had engaged in several “consultative and inclusive” meetings with Easts over the latest development application.

Waverley Bowling club. Picture: John Appleyard

Some residents had criticised the Club for the timing of the latest application, which was lodged the week before Christmas.

However, in its post Save Waverley Bowlo said: “Save Waverley Bowlo believe that we have been moving in the right direction and appreciate Easts’ continued commitment to work with the Bowling Club and community representatives to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome”.

The latest plans to redevelop the Club detail a six-storey complex of 90 units, a leisure centre, cafe and lounge bar, childcare centre, an aged care facility and communal green.

It follows prior unsuccessful applications that sparked community outrage, including the proposal to demolish the green and build twin towers which would house Easts headquarters.

Artists impression of the plan for the new Waverley Bowling Club site

The planning bid had split the club and Easts which had merged in 2010.

At a heated meeting in August 2017 members were asked to vote on a series of resolutions that would give the Easts board almost unfettered power over the bowling club site, including the authority to sell or redevelop the land. They suffered a shock defeat when the plans were rejected at a specially convened meeting.

People voting against the proposed redevelopment of the Waverley Bowling Club at an extraordinary general meeting in 2017. Photo: Facebook

Save Waverley Bowlo updated members via its Facebook page about its meetings with Easts, saying it had stressed the need to “ensure the continued future of the Waverley Bowling Club” including retaining two bowling greens.

A spokesman for Easts Group said the club had consulted regularly with the Men’s and Ladies Bowling Clubs’ members and local residents last year ahead of the $83 million application to develop the 124-year-old club. “Their input, feedback and concerns on a number of issues, such as the placement of the two bowling greens and a number of other matters, were taken into account and addressed,” the spokesman said. “This resulted in the design being adjusted accordingly on a number of occasions”.

Easts plan to hold two information sessions at the bowling club next month.