Why Ku-ring-gai Councilplans to unload Gordon Bowling Membership to builders

“The difficulty is not only the quantity of inexperienced area – which Ku-ring-gai is lucky to have an excellent quantity of – but additionally its accessibility to residents,” he mentioned. “Inexperienced area conveniently near present homes has a particular worth, therefore my advocacy on this difficulty.”

Alister Henskens, member for Ku-ring-gai and new sport minister following the resignation of Stuart Ayres, mentioned the proposed sell-off of the bowling membership web site was “one other instance of poor asset administration by the council”.

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“It is crucial that present open area is retained as a result of as soon as offered it’s misplaced to the group without end,” he mentioned.

Jonathan O’Dea, member for Davidson, additionally known as on the council to retain the location as inexperienced open area on condition that west Gordon “continues to expertise will increase in housing density”.

The controversy over the way forward for the outdated bowling membership follows comparable controversy over plans to unload sports activities fields in Marsfield and a deal by Lane Cove Council to permit the construction of seniors’ housing on sporting fields in Lane Cove.

Ku-ring-gai councillor Sam Ngai mentioned different north shore councils had retained outdated bowling golf equipment for recreation: “They’re stunned to listen to that Ku-ring-gai is exploring the sell-off of bowling websites as a result of it will be thought of inappropriate in most different [local government areas].”

Ngai mentioned different funding choices must be explored “earlier than we take into account promoting off massive chunks of leisure area”.

Ngai mentioned his private desire was to retain each the Gordon and East Roseville bowling golf equipment for recreation.

Deputy Mayor Barbara Ward mentioned the proposal to rezone the outdated bowling membership was unacceptable and “I’ll vote towards the sale”.

“That is the final open area within the west facet of Gordon, we can not afford to lose it,” she mentioned. “It can function a worthwhile group open area and, frankly, if we proceed to promote all public property, nothing will probably be left for future generations.”

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Gordon Soccer Membership vice chairman Jack Rumbelow mentioned the membership was “very stunned” the council was pushing to rezone the outdated bowling membership: “Gordon doesn’t have a lot public, inexperienced area for common use, particularly in West Gordon, which has no public oval.”

“We’ve been working with group teams to oppose the rezoning plan, as we imagine Gordon desperately wants extra inexperienced area,” he mentioned.

An online petition calling on the council to retain the outdated bowling membership as inexperienced open area has attracted greater than 1000 signatures.

Ku-ring-gai resident Tim Coomes found the bowling membership web site throughout final yr’s COVID-19 lockdown, after shifting to Lindfield to be nearer to his daughters’ new faculty.

“We found the group was utilizing the outdated bowling membership as a park and used it many occasions ourselves as a spot to train with our children – working round, taking part in soccer and flying kites,” he mentioned.

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Coomes mentioned residents have been additionally involved in regards to the sale of inexperienced areas to “fund a mixture of council pet tasks and ongoing operational shortfall of charges funding”, and known as for a evaluate into council spending.

“The present proposal is basically financially misguided, and one other instance of short-term considering that’s leading to Sydney shedding its inexperienced coronary heart,” he mentioned.

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