The Fight Continues

Background

Harbord Diggers has been an icon of the Northern Beaches for decades, being established on the current site in 1957.  Over recent years things have not been so good, with the club struggling to the point of amalgamating with Mounties in 2006 under significant financial pressure and an ageing building.  While the amalgamation with Mounties has seen the prospects for the site improve with millions of dollars being spent on improved facilities, the building ultimately needs to be renewed.

At present the club owns around 15,000sqm of land of which around 5,000sqm is occupied by the club building, 5000sqm is occupied by car park and bowling greens and the remaining 5,000sqm is essentially undeveloped including significant land looking out to sea.

During the amalgamation of the club it was agreed that the established master plan for the site should proceed, which would have seen the undeveloped space used for housing and the funds from this used to rejuvenate the ageing building.  This is where the story begins...

Overview

In August of 2008 the club lodged a Stage 1 Development Application for the construction of 31 dwellings on the clubs undeveloped land.  This application was accepted by Warringah Council and proceeded to be heard by the Warringah Development and Assessment Panel (WDAP) in March of 2009.  The panel deferred a decision citing additional information as being required.

The club “thought” these concerns had been addressed and WDAP reconsidered the DA in September 2009.  Again the decision was deferred with the club being asked to address additional issues, despite reducing the application from 31 to 26 units.

While we were addressing the issues raised by WDAP we found that Warringah Council had placed the new Local Environment Plan (LEP) on exhibition.  This document basically sets down what can be developed on land holdings within Warringah.

The new LEP zoned the club’s land as ‘Low Density Residential’, which fundamentally prohibited the club’s current Development Application for 26 dwellings.  In this period we met with Council officers and ultimately lodged a submission to Council regarding the zoning and identified some other minor issues in the details affecting the club, in December of 2009 as required.

In February 2010 the club’s residential DA was again considered by the Warringah Development Assessment Panel and was refused – essentially due to parking.  As the new LEP had now been exhibited, zoning the club’s land as ‘Low Density Residential, the club now could not resubmit this application if it chose to.

Undeterred, we continued to engage with Council regarding the LEP on the presumption that they would amend the errors in the draft.  On 8 June 2010 Councilors recommended the draft LEP be submitted to NSW Planning for endorsement, with only minor amendments, despite the clubs and other community members issues being raised.  At the same meeting Council did however convene another meeting to better consider the submissions made with regards to the draft LEP, so we remained hopeful.

In July of 2010 we were formally advised by Warringah Council that if we sought any change to the zoning of the club’s land we would need to make a “Planning Submission”.  This means that nothing will change in the draft LEP unless we spend a lot of money and time on seeking to have the club’s land re-zoned.

What can you do?

So what now?  Members of the club have now seen the club’s assets devalued by millions of dollars.  The club’s original master plan to use the funding from the residential component to rejuvenate tired premises was effectively removed from the table.  Well not quite yet...

While the application for the club’s DA was refused in February 2010, there remains an appeal process called a Section 82A Review.  So we have now resubmitted the original DA addressing each of the matters raised by WDAP seeking approval and this is where you can assist if you really want the Diggers to remain the asset to the community that it is.  Simply go to http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/ePlanning/pages/XC.Track/SearchApplication.aspx?id=397928 and make a submission on the clubs behalf with Warringah Council.

Otherwise continue to spread the word amongst our 25,000 local club members that they can impact the future of their club by getting involved and registering their interest at harbordinfo@mountiesgroup.com.au with the subject “I Love The Diggers” or by submitting a form available from the club’s reception or by writing to the club at;and

I Love The Diggers

PO Box 63

Freshwater  NSW  2096

Once registered you will receive updates on the club’s progress with regards to the future of the site.

We have a magical location and we want the club to prosper, we just need the ability to transform the club’s 53 year old building into something that captures the views, hearts and minds of the local community and this is where we need your help.