Plans rejected for redevelopment of Balmain Leagues Club

The controversial redevelopment of the Balmain Leagues Club has been derailed with the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure rejected plans for a proposed high-rise retail and residential development.

The proposed Rozelle Village development was to have included 24 and 20 storey towers along with a new 2,567 metre2 club for the Tigers' rugby league teams and fans. However, the NSW Government Planning body rejected the proposal following a "comprehensive assessment process" that indicated unresolved traffic and transport problems.

Rozelle Village Pty Limited acquired the site from the cash-strapped Balmain Leagues Club taking on Club debts of $23.5 million. However, the Club had since borrowed a reported sum of $8 million from Rozelle Village to keep operating while at temporary clubhouses in Five Dock and Flemington Markets.

With the Club apparently admitting that it cannot repay those debts, Rozelle Village has been had attempts to place the Club into receivership rebuffed in the NSW Supreme Court this week. The matter will return to the Court with a hearing date on whether the club should be placed into receivership likely to be heard in the coming months.

With its historic links to the Balmain Leagues Club, the Wests Tigers NRL club has expressed "sympathy" with the Leagues Club current predicament, acknowledging it as "a historic contributor to the game of Rugby League Wests Tigers. "

However, the West Tigers statement was keen to clarify "that Balmain Tigers Leagues Club is two steps removed from the NRL Club" and that "Wests Tigers does not rely on Balmain Tigers Leagues Club funding, and has not for some time."

Wests Tigers Chief Executive Grant Mayer said that despite the difficulties facing the Leagues Club it is business as usual for the NRL side, stating "the emotion surrounding the recent Balmain Tigers Leagues Club issues has created increased concern and confusion amongst Wests Tigers Members, fans and corporate supporter base.

"Put simply, there is no need for anyone from Wests Tigers point of view to be concerned."

Commenting on the redevelopment and the potential receivership, Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne told the Sydney Morning Herald "it is still possible to save the Balmain Leagues Club, and for a sensible redevelopment of the Tigers site to be approved.

"The attempt by the developers to have the Tigers put into receivership immediately must be rejected. The disappearance of Balmain Tigers would be a disaster for Rugby League and our local community."

Image shows the planned development on the Balmain Leagues Club site in Rozelle.