Legal battle looms over plan to turn old Balmain Leagues site into a dirt dump

Despite Transport for NSW filing an acquisition notice to use the Balmain Leagues club site to help construct the Western Harbour Tunnel, developers say no agreement has been reached.

Developers of the decrepit Balmain Leagues Club are considering court action over the NSW government’s proposed acquisition of the site, with an agreement yet to be struck despite a deal deadline looming in days.

More than two months after Transport for NSW filed an acquisition notice for the site, which it plans to use as a dirt dump during construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel, developers said no agreement had been reached which would enable them to return and build a new leagues club.

Inside the old Balmain Leagues Club site in Rozelle, which has been left derelict since 2009. Picture: John Appleyard

Transport NSW intends to lease the Inner West eyesore for seven years during construction of the 17.8km sub-harbour tunnel.

It means a new club at the site may still be a decade away, making it more than 20 years since the old leagues club was demolished in 2010.

A September 10 deadline for a deal looms between developer Heworth and Transport NSW, before the Valuer General is called upon to independently determine compensation.

Twelve storeys of apartments, a new Tigers club, food and beverage precinct and town square and community hub are planned for the site. Picture: John Appleyard

While Heworth head of property Christopher Walsh said he had “all faith in the Valuer General”, he said if compensation “doesn’t hit the mark, we will most definitely be going to court”.

“This is really the last chance for Transport to come back to the table before we come back to the Valuer General path, and the court action that is likely to follow,” he said.

He criticised the long-running acquisition process, saying Transport NSW “could not have made a bigger mess”.

The deal deadline comes exactly a year after Heworth’s $400 million plan for the site was approved, with their project including a rebuilt club, 167 apartments, a supermarket and a newly-landscaped town square which would finally allow the West Tigers to return to their Rozelle home.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the issue was the failure to agree on appropriate compensation for use of the site as a dirt dump before the development goes ahead. Picture: John Appleyard

A Transport for NSW spokesman, however, accused the developer of wanting too much for the site.

“A Proposed Acquisition Notice was issued at the request of the land’s owner after an agreement failed to be reached on appropriate compensation. The owner of the land, a property developer, wanted considerably more in annual rental than TfNSW considered the site was worth,” he said. “Discussions between TfNSW and the land’s owner are continuing.”

The site is looking likely to be without a leagues club for about 20 years. Picture: John Appleyard

Wests Tigers chief executive Simon Cook said he wanted Transport for NSW to provide some clarity over the site.

“The ideal situation is to have a development as we agreed when we went through the amalgamation with Balmain and return a leagues club to the site,” he said.

“What clubs are about is providing not only amenities to the local community, but also to support the local community through donations to local sporting clubs and charities.

“That’s what clubs are about and that’s what we want to return to that area.”

NSW opposition treasury spokesman Daniel Mookhey accused Transport of “acting like a wrecking ball”.

“Transport is inflicting the same trauma on the Tigers as it has on countless families and businesses,” he said.

“No family, business or football club should need to beg or sue Transport just to get them to behave properly.”