Bondi Bowling Club to pay $1500 per week rent increase after refusing Waverley Council management takeover
In the wake of a massive community campaign, a beloved Sydney bowlo is still set to be slapped with an astronomical 330 per cent rent increase.
Wentworth Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wentworth Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A beloved Sydney bowling club is set to take on a 330 per cent rent hike by the state government despite a passionate campaign to protect the community hub.
Bondi Bowling Club, which is located on Crown land, was previously paying $22,000 in annual rent before the figure was increased according to “market value” to $95,000 this year.
The club had not seen a rent rise since 2009 until October, when the Wentworth Courier reported the club received a letter from the department of Crown Lands that noted the rate had been adjusted along with a raft of clubs across the state.
The move sparked a fierce backlash, with Club president Matty Graham warning the hike risked the community hub’s long-term viability.
Waverley Council had recently been considering possibilities for it to take over management of the club from the NSW government.
However, the council’s finance and operations committee unanimously resolved on Tuesday night not to pursue taking over the management of the Crown reserve the club sits after the club advised it did not want its current arrangements to change.
A Department of Planning spokesman confirmed the rent change would take effect, with the October 19 deadline to contest the rise long past.
“The club advised it is not objecting to the rent rise and it agrees on the rent redetermination,” the spokesman said.
It is understood NSW clubs which have seen rent redetermined were in ongoing discussions with the state government.
“The department will negotiate in good faith with clubs to deliver longer phase in periods where clubs demonstrate significant hardship,” the spokesman said.
Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane – who has spoken out against the changes – said she had been lobbying the Minns government to “reconsider the unreasonable rent hike on Bondi Bowlo” in the spirit of the festive season.
“The Minns government should give Bondi Bowlo the Christmas present that so many in our local community want and change their mind on these massive rent increases,” Ms Sloane said.
The Liberal MP said she wanted to see the government reconsider how it approached rent increases for clubs on Crown Land, in light of the shock increases.
“They need to take into consideration the value a club like Bondi Bowlo and other bowlo’s provide to communities throughout the state,” she said.
Waverley Council said its mayor, Paula Masselos, planned to meet with Lands Minister Steve Kamper early next year to discuss the issue.
100 point demolition, Fittler scores, trifectas galore in crazy 1st Colts round
One team piled on an extraordinary 100 points, numerous players scored trifectas and the son of a footy gun scored his first try in a crazy round of Sydney 1st Colts Rugby. Rd 11 stars, result wrap
Grandson of a Wallaby a teen try scoring sensation with big ambitions
He’s the grandson, son, nephew and brother of sporting guns so it’s no surprise this teenager is turning plenty of heads himself as one of the highest scorers in Colts rugby.