The cloud over Gosford Bowling Club continues to grow, with council-under-administration pushing ahead with its plan to reclassify the land from community to operational.
Council says the reason is to support the Gosford waterfront and stadium revitalisation masterplan to provide “increased flexibility for potential future uses”.
The masterplan revealed in September 2022 shows a highrise hotel on the site.
In August of last year, council CEO David Farmer made it clear the council believes the bowling club land could be better utilised and it didn’t want to own it long term.
But the current proposal doesn’t mention that.
It says the site is leased to the Central Coast Leagues Club and the Gosford Bowling Club is provided access to the site by the Leagues Club.
The lease to the Central Coast Leagues Club expires in December 2024.
“Council is not proposing to sell the site or change the current lease conditions in place with Central Coast Leagues Club,” the current council proposal states.
“ Council has indicated its intention to extend a further lease to the Leagues Club, subject to agreement on lease terms.
“Detailed environmental investigations would be undertaken at the time that a preferred alternative use of the site is ready to progress.”
In August last year Farmer said any new lease with the Leagues Club would likely be the last one and would be transitional.
While the bowling club leadership hasn’t said anything publicly, individual members are urging the community to have their say about the land and to attend an upcoming public hearing.
The reclassification from community to operational makes it easier for Council to sell.
Gosford Bowling Club is built on land Erina Shire Council purchased in 1936 at a cost of 175 Pounds from the Railway Department.
The land was described as being “alongside waterside park” and it was proposed to build a municipal bowling green and tennis courts on the site.
The land is zoned RE1 Public Recreation, acquired for a public purpose.
The bowling club site is one of ten sites currently on public exhibition for community comment.
“Following a review of Council’s assets, multiple sites were identified to be either surplus to Council’s needs or have potential to benefit from long term leasing opportunities,” Council said.
“Council is seeking to reclassify the land to operational land in order to facilitate potential sale or commercial leasing arrangements.”
See the full list here: https://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/RPP
The public hearings are being held:
- Tuesday, April 9 – time to be confirmed – Erina Centre (adjacent to Erina Library) in Erina Fair Shopping Centre (this session focuses on sites in the south)
- Thursday, April 11 – time to be confirmed – Wyong Administration Centre, Hely Street Wyong (this session focuses on sites in the north).
