Forestville RSL Club is pushing ahead with ambitious plans to develop a new clubhouse, incorporated into a nest of retirement apartments for the ageing northern Sydney precinct, amid typical objections by neighbours.
The major proposal, projected to cost $76.9 million, outlines two stages for the property on Melwood Avenue, in Forestville.
Stage one will see the existing bowling greens replaced with a new clubhouse, beneath 16 retirement units. Stage two will demolish the former club structure, in place of three 3-storey buildings containing more apartments.
The club offers that the goal is to help ‘future-proof’ operations by bolstering itself with the addition of 55 independent living units for retirees, while reducing its reliance on gaming. It is currently ranked #217 in the state by Liquor & Gaming (December 2024).
Submitted to Northern Beaches Council in October 2024, due to its size and significance the proposal is being considered by the Sydney North Planning Panel.
However, a petition has been launched by a local, suggesting the club is being transformed from a “beloved gathering place” for families and community to become an imposing and “suburb-dominating” retirement village with a small “poker-machine-prevalent” club inside.
“The club’s family space will be dramatically decreased while its poker machine ratio space will be dramatically increased,” says the petition, which was launched in January and has so far garnered 920 signatures.
The plans in fact show the gaming area would be smaller, although the club notes that the internal layout has not been finalised.
According to the NSW Registered Clubs Act 1976, clubs proposing to “dispose” (sell, lease or licence the use of, or otherwise deal with) club property must get approval by ordinary members through a general meeting, which has not taken place. Submissions against the development have raised concerns that members first saw the plans when they were submitted to council and have not had opportunity to review or vote on them.
This objection may be premature, given the club says the plans were relayed to members “as soon as practicable” after the Board confirmed the new strategy, and that legal advice suggested a vote should be held shortly after the DA has been approved.
Club CEO Ian Thomson defended that gaming remains a legal leisure activity, and says the RSL “takes very seriously its duty of care in this area”.
He also points to “many, many clubs” having gone down similar paths, citing local examples of Dee Why RSL and Dee Why Master Builders, Harbord Diggers, Chatswood Golf Club and Willoughby Legion Club.
Thomson offers that they were certainly not “naïve” enough to expect complete support, and takes solace in the “visible and overwhelming” support the club has received to date.
A decision is expected on the proposal in coming months, although Council has already flagged some discrepancies that will likely require attention.
The Club’s Annual General Meeting took place 28 April, followed by a presentation outlining the latest information on the proposed development. A member vote on the matter has not yet been announced.
