Mortdale RSL is fighting to undertake a major redevelopment, spurred on by a government focus on increasing residential density while stymied by council and a local interest group.
Mortdale is a suburb of southern Sydney, 30 minutes south of the CBD. The RSL sub-branch was formed in 1918 and the Club, located just 100 metres from Mortdale train station, aims to be “the leading Club in customer service”, providing a broad range of amenities, with disabled access.
Approaching a decade ago the RSL put forward a planning proposal for its site on Macquarie Place that called for both rezoning and an increase in height and floor space ratio. The existing club would be demolished, replace by a new venue and retail, including a supermarket, on the street and lower levels. There would be a basement carpark below, and 175 apartments above, likely reaching a total height of 13 storeys.
The recently formulated Mortdale masterplan, on which council spent a lot of money and conducted extensive community consultation, reduced maximum heights from eight storeys, capping at six storeys near the station and four storeys for residential areas.
Georges River Council’s planners, the local planning panel and a strategic planning panel all reportedly rejected the original proposal on the grounds that it did not align with the masterplan.
Since being elected in 2023, the Minns government has introduced the Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, led by the Housing Development Authority (HDA).
In March the HDA accepted the RSL’s proposal, on the basis its development criteria and the new dwellings made it eligible as a state-significant project.
Intervention by the HDA put the matter beyond the control of Council, which justifiably objected to the fact it had learned of the decision via the media. Cr Christina Jamieson posted to social media that they had “not been notified of the details of this proposal”.
Jamieson cited that their “expert planners” and relevant planning panels had stated the development lacked both strategic and site-specific merit.
Georges River Mayor Elise Borg went further to say the HDA’s approval was “a big surprise” to the local stakeholders, and voiced resident objection to disruption to their enclave.
“The concern of the community is that it’s taking the commercial centre away from Morts Rd,’’ she said.
Cr Borg extrapolated a potential population increase for the area of 18 per cent, amounting to over 30,000 people, and calls for both state and federal governments to fund the necessary infrastructure needed to facilitate the housing reforms, adding that no such infrastructure increases had been proposed.
Council has vowed to petition government for funding and the creation of a program to help local governments meet the demands brought by the policy.
Meanwhile, Mortdale RSL’s proposal remains under final consideration by the Sydney South Planning Panel, with Planning Minister Paul Scully to make the final decision.
Straddling Sydney’s southern rail route, Mortdale is adjacent to the metropolis of Hurstville and counts local population of nearly 11,000.
Residents formed Save Mortdale Village and have objected fiercely to the proposed development, citing concerns over a lack of commuter parking and traffic.
Mortdale RSL management did not provide further comment on the situation, but the recent President’s report was dominated by discussion of its decision to undertake a major redevelopment.
President Geoff Denyer says members have been behind the Club’s strategic direction, posing the construction “should secure the future of Mortdale RSL Community Club for the next generations of members”.
However, Denyer didn’t shy away from the economic landscape bringing major challenges for small- to medium-sized clubs such as Mortdale RSL. He acknowledges “times are tough” and points to the latest financial report, outlining an overall loss as the Club continues to pay off debts that he says “have been a hindrance for many years”.
As the outcome awaits determination Denyer calls for support from members and industry.
“It is vitally important that we all stay united in this vision, to see it through to fruition.”
