Balmain Tigers face extinction

[tigermaniac]

I'm not being disrespectful to original Magpie supporters , But for myself having played for Balmain Tigers in Harold Mathews and S.G Ball competitions 15 years ago , i would be gutted if we no longer exist and if Wests Tigers change to Wests Magpies or change colours or are not to be Tigers anymore , i swear blind that i will never watch a League game again and would follow the AFL alot closer. The game will lose me altogether.
I was there that night when we had to vote and heard the pleas by Keith Barnes , Wayne Pearce that Balmain wouldn't survive but we still would of made the cut alone .

Agree….. Although the game will not lose me to AFL. You couldnt pay me to watch that rubbish. Id prob sit out a few seasons (in relation to supporting the Tigers) but still watch multiple games every week and in a few years time find myself supporting the team my father supports - Souths.
Atleast i know they wont bend over and take it when push comes to shove like we have.

Now you know how some Wests Magpies supporters have been feeling.

100% magpiecol. Especially when you hear, get over it. You never really do.
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[GNR4LIFE]

The project has very little chance of getting through,the local action group have lots of support in the local community. Their was a que to sign the anti project petition at the Rozell markets and growers market on Saturday.I just can't see the project getting off the ground and that's bad news for Balmain

Still think the local action group is a minority group. Imagine how many locals and former locals would turn up for a return Balmain League Club rally. It would be vastly more than any rally organised by the RRAG.

The decision will be made by the NSW State Government and thankfully not by Leichhardt Council or the action group.

I had mates that live in the Shire that said there was no way that the Sharks development would be approved given the backlash in the local community. Well in the end the NSW state government approved it.

In the end I think the NSW State Government will approve a re-development of the Balmain Leagues Club site, the last think they want is to give back planning control of the site to the inept Leichhardt Council.

It was good to see a lot of local NSW State and one fedreal Liberal politicians supporting the re-development project recently.

At least theyre locals though and voicing their opinion about something that affects them directly, as opposed to some on here who live miles away and think its their right to tell these people what they should feel, think and do

Well said Inkster

 

[Benjirific]

I actually know a lot of long term fanatical tiger fans who are really against the project. I know its the way things are going but you only have to look at Burwood, a few years ago their was no real high rise now every day theirs another cell block being built. I love my tigers and I really wish they could come up with a 15 storey compromise but their debt is too big to break even on the project

They had a 15 storey compromise years ago and Leichhardt Council said no. They've had many more reasonable developments proposed over the past 10+ years, and each time the Council have said no, despite the club and developers consulting them every step of the way and taking all of their advice.

I personally believe it is the next step for the area. We need high density housing in the inner-suburbs, and I can't agree with residents who believe it will 'kill the village feel'. That community and village feel is within the people, not the structures, so only a change in their attitudes and behaviours would kill that.It needs to be remembered this is not in a back-street of Balmain where we're knocking down a few old cottages. This is the busiest arterial road in the country, and we're knocking down a dilapidated site to build a new club, retail area, community area and housing. It really needs to be sorted out now, rather than continuously delayed, or else a big name developer will come in and simply take it over and not bother with the community stuff.

 

[Goose]

is anyone else amused when they refer to Rozelle as a village and the refer to the village feel. The property is on one of the busiest rds in Australia, not quite in sync with my views of a village.

IMO it is naive to believe that 5km from the harbour bridge will remain low density living for too long. There will be appartments and high rise there soon enough. At least this project includes the club, retail and parking as opposed to 100% appartments with no increase in infra structure.

This is an issue that is difficult to get a balanced view on, everyone you talk to gives polar opposite views depending on their stake in the venture. Being a Tigers fan, clearly I want it to proceed.

 

[tigerbalm]

If wests do take the reigns I hope they show balmain respect and put a tiger on the sleeve.
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[sunshine_coast_tiger]

The project has very little chance of getting through,the local action group have lots of support in the local community. Their was a que to sign the anti project petition at the Rozell markets and growers market on Saturday.I just can't see the project getting off the ground and that's bad news for Balmain

Still think the local action group is a minority group. Imagine how many locals and former locals would turn up for a return Balmain League Club rally. It would be vastly more than any rally organised by the RRAG.

The decision will be made by the NSW State Government and thankfully not by Leichhardt Council or the action group.

I had mates that live in the Shire that said there was no way that the Sharks development would be approved given the backlash in the local community. Well in the end the NSW state government approved it.

In the end I think the NSW State Government will approve a re-development of the Balmain Leagues Club site, the last think they want is to give back planning control of the site to the inept Leichhardt Council.

It was good to see a lot of local NSW State and one fedreal Liberal politicians supporting the re-development project recently.

At least theyre locals though and voicing their opinion about something that affects them directly, as opposed to some on here who live miles away and think its their right to tell these people what they should feel, think and do

I currently don't live in the Balmain area (can't afford the prices). I have lived in Balmain/Rozelle/Leichhardt for 33 years out of my 40 years on this earth. I went to the local primary and high schools and know what great things Balmain Leagues Club has done for many organisations over many years.

The proposed club is in an area of Rozelle that is on a main road and the surrounding Darling Street shops have been need of a make over for as long as I can remember. I may not currently live in the area but feel I have a good understanding of the area and I fully support the project.

If you were to read the submissions on the NSW Department of Planning website from the first round of the project you will find that a large number of people who signed the from letters one ste up by RRAG and one set up by Jamie Parker do not live in the suburbs of Balmain/Rozelle or Leichhardt. Many of them live a long way from the proposed development. So I would not call the action group supporters as entirely made up of locals.

 

[Yossarian]

I currently don't live in the Balmain area (can't afford the prices). I have lived in Balmain/Rozelle/Leichhardt for 33 years out of my 40 years on this earth. I went to the local primary and high schools and know what great things Balmain Leagues Club has done for many organisations over many years.

The proposed club is in an area of Rozelle that is on a main road and the surrounding Darling Street shops have been need of a make over for as long as I can remember. I may not currently live in the area but feel I have a good understanding of the area and I fully support the project.

If you were to read the submissions on the NSW Department of Planning website from the first round of the project you will find that a large number of people who signed the from letters one ste up by RRAG and one set up by Jamie Parker do not live in the suburbs of Balmain/Rozelle or Leichhardt. Many of them live a long way from the proposed development. So I would not call the action group supporters as entirely made up of locals.

Well said SCT. My family have live in Balmain and Leichhardt for decades until recently. I myself live in Leichhardt for some time. When I lived there (Catherine St) I accepted that noise, traffic, and high density living was the price you paid for the good stuff. I no longer live in the area mainly because of price but also because I wanted more space.

I do support the development for the reasons you've set out and that I've raised before. Victoria Rd in that area is an awful sight. As far as locations in Balmain/Rozelle/Lilyfield go, this is pretty much as good as it gets.

 

[supercoach]

I know from being a rate paying resident on the Balmain Peninsular for many years that the area is already under stress from development. When I arrived in the late 70's, their was about one car to every three dew lings, now their is about two cars per dew ling!! Although I think the location of the club could sub stain a major development it could open a Pandora's box. Also I would hate to own one of the little cottages in any of the small streets behind the project. Love my tigers but love my local area more

 

[innsaneink]

have lived in an area in the balmain Jnr district where its fashionable now to buy two or three old fibro cottages on 1/4 acre blocks, knock em down and put up 18, 24, 30 townhouses….most have off street parking for one vehicle, but most new households have 2, sometime 3 vehicles...they park anywhere they like...the streets werent initially designed for this volume, much like Rozelle which is even tinier streets

The local medical center has gone from a 15 minute wait to a 90 minute wait, child care is at breaking point...all because ppl wanna live on top of each other close to the city....but every now and then everyones on the ground, and its a dogs breakfast.

Yoss moves away because he wants more space, but suggests those that remain should also move because their space is being cramped and theyre fighting against it....way - to - go !!
What a hide!

 

[foreveratiger]

I'm not being disrespectful to original Magpie supporters , But for myself having played for Balmain Tigers in Harold Mathews and S.G Ball competitions 15 years ago , i would be gutted if we no longer exist and if Wests Tigers change to Wests Magpies or change colours or are not to be Tigers anymore , i swear blind that i will never watch a League game again and would follow the AFL alot closer. The game will lose me altogether.
I was there that night when we had to vote and heard the pleas by Keith Barnes , Wayne Pearce that Balmain wouldn't survive but we still would of made the cut alone .

Agree….. Although the game will not lose me to AFL. You couldnt pay me to watch that rubbish. Id prob sit out a few seasons (in relation to supporting the Tigers) but still watch multiple games every week and in a few years time find myself supporting the team my father supports - Souths.
Atleast i know they wont bend over and take it when push comes to shove like we have.

Now you know how some Wests Magpies supporters have been feeling.

I know exactly how they would be feeling , What i support now is Wests Tigers and have no problen whatsoever playing at Campbelltown and it comes down to the choices of each individual.
I have invested $1,000 's of dollars over the years in Tigers gear and flights to Sydney to watch Tigers games.
Last year in July spent $580.00 in one transaction getting the family Wests Tigers Jersey's and before moving to the Gold Coast was a season ticket holder for 7 years running and also with Balmain Tigers .
But if we were to change our identity to Wests Magpies cause Balmain went bust and no longer player at Leichardt cause Wests home ground is at Campbelltown and change colours to Black and White , i have the devine right to not support the new team and none of you can tell me otherwise it's a personal choice .
My memories at Leichardt are when i was playing for Balmain is seeing my family on the hill or the grandstand and the buzz that used to give me , i absolutely love Leichardt , i even fly at least once a year when we play at Leichardt now .
So when that merger between Balmain and Wests happened in 2000 , that was a choice everyone had to make for themselves , for me because we were still Tigers and kept the colours and played at Leichardt kept me going , if Balmain didn't join with Western Suburbs in 2000 , Wests would no longer been a team in the NRL , Balmain would of survived and made the cut but in saying all this Balmain would of also been broke by now and also there would of been no more Balmain , So both Original sides would of been gone without the help of each other , but now i love WESTS TIGERS and would like to keep it how it is with no further change , can except no longer Balmain existing in the NSW cup , but don't want no further heartbreak and explaining to my kids what happened to the brand West Tigers .
I support and love WESTS TIGERS :sign:

 

[Real_one_eyed_Tiger]

The fact remains the clubs debts are so significant it is unlikely that they will be able to return in 4 years (if the development is approved). Sadly I think the Leagues club fate has already been sealed and this development will do nothing to save it.

 

[Anthism]

The project has very little chance of getting through,the local action group have lots of support in the local community. Their was a que to sign the anti project petition at the Rozell markets and growers market on Saturday.I just can't see the project getting off the ground and that's bad news for Balmain

Still think the local action group is a minority group. Imagine how many locals and former locals would turn up for a return Balmain League Club rally. It would be vastly more than any rally organised by the RRAG.

The decision will be made by the NSW State Government and thankfully not by Leichhardt Council or the action group.

I had mates that live in the Shire that said there was no way that the Sharks development would be approved given the backlash in the local community. Well in the end the NSW state government approved it.

In the end I think the NSW State Government will approve a re-development of the Balmain Leagues Club site, the last think they want is to give back planning control of the site to the inept Leichhardt Council.

It was good to see a lot of local NSW State and one fedreal Liberal politicians supporting the re-development project recently.

At least theyre locals though and voicing their opinion about something that affects them directly, as opposed to some on here who live miles away and think its their right to tell these people what they should feel, think and do

X2
Have a drive around the area now. There's probably 3 buildings that you couldn't call modern.
Not going to get into it further because that's another thread.
The facts are that most people want the Leagues Club back but not the development - so a rally bringing back the Tigers is just a mask for a pro development rally.
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[sunshine_coast_tiger]

The fact remains the clubs debts are so significant it is unlikely that they will be able to return in 4 years (if the development is approved). Sadly I think the Leagues club fate has already been sealed and this development will do nothing to save it.

I am still waiting to hear from some one with more knowledge of the club finances if Balmain Leagues Club is to receive compensation from the NSW Government for closing due to the impending failed Metro Project. I would think there would be compensation due to them.

The main reson Balmain leagues got into financial difficulty in the first place is because thet were stuffed around for many years by Leichhardt Council.

They saw the need to to a re-development of the site and tried to work with council to get it done. They purchased 8-10 million dollars worth of property on Darling Street based on council recommendations to form a better amalgemated development site. The got a master plan approved for the site. The council make up changed after wards and they was a strong anti development presecnce on council did not agree with the apporved master plan plus the global financial crisis hit. The realitly is that theres should already be a re-development up and running but Leichhardt Council were never going to approve anything on the site that would make the re-development economically feasible.

I believe strongly that if the current proposal is approved that Balmain Leagues Club will return to its rightful home and hopefully they can return to being the great community organisation they were for decades in the local community.

 

[Real_one_eyed_Tiger]

I am sorry to inform you that the so called RRAG is not a minority group. The dept. of planning has 7500 letters of objection to the current proposal (most of these people reside in the Leichhardt Municipality). Whilst the majority of those who object to the current proposal don't object at all to the club returning. The fact remains the club will only occupy 6% of the total development. The community who is most affected is very much of the view that the needs of the club to return should not be put ahead of community/public interest.

 

[Real_one_eyed_Tiger]

@ Sunshine coast Tiger. Given Rozelle Village owned the land at that point in time, I would think it very doubtful that the club has received much (if any) compensation for the failed metro. I don't think Rozelle Village would have received much compensation anyway, as my understanding is that no contracts were in place at the time the Govt pulled the pin on the metro plan.

 

[sunshine_coast_tiger]

@ Sunshine coast Tiger. Given Rozelle Village owned the land at that point in time, I would think it very doubtful that the club has received much (if any) compensation for the failed metro. I don't think Rozelle Village would have received much compensation anyway, as my understanding is that no contracts were in place at the time the Govt pulled the pin on the metro plan.

Doesn't make sense for the club to close at a certain date beacuse the metro asked them to and to have nothing in writing. Yes Rozelle Village did own the site but in my opinion they would have been happy for the club to keep trading whilst they were going through the development process.

As to your figures about the RRAG. Well in the first round I notriced reading the published submissions that a large number of people that singed were from outside the Leichhardt Council area. Based on the 2011 census if 7,500 people (all from Leichhardt which I think a lot would be from other areas would have signed) that is still only 18% on the 41,771 residents of Leichhardt Concil over the age of 20 (based on 2011census data). 18% (probably less than let given that people would have signed that lived outside the area) in my view is no were near the majority and is a minority group.

 

[Real_one_eyed_Tiger]

@ Sunshine coast Tiger. Given Rozelle Village owned the land at that point in time, I would think it very doubtful that the club has received much (if any) compensation for the failed metro. I don't think Rozelle Village would have received much compensation anyway, as my understanding is that no contracts were in place at the time the Govt pulled the pin on the metro plan.

Doesn't make sense for the club to close at a certain date beacuse the metro asked them to and to have nothing in writing. Yes Rozelle Village did own the site but in my opinion they would have been happy for the club to keep trading whilst they were going through the development process.

As to your figures about the RRAG. Well in the first round I notriced reading the published submissions that a large number of people that singed were from outside the Leichhardt Council area. Based on the 2011 census if 7,500 people (all from Leichhardt which I think a lot would be from other areas would have signed) that is still only 18% on the 41,771 residents of Leichhardt Concil over the age of 20 (based on 2011census data). 18% (probably less than let given that people would have signed that lived outside the area) in my view is no were near the majority and is a minority group.

I cannot argue with your comments, however looking at their annual reports the compensation has not eventuated. Perhaps Rozelle Village are the ones that benefited ? Regarding the submissions, the development has had a huge amount of response. Most Part 3A applications are lucky to get 50 submissions in total. Therefore to get 7,500 objections is very significant. A high percentage of these are from the local area. Regardless of this the application should be assessed on planning merits and based on the application it fails in a number of areas in my view.

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Just build something… I was driving around the area yesterday and the whole Rozelle Precinct is a disgrace. The 7500 people who made objective submissions are off their heads and maybe they should re-open Callan Park for these nutters?!

Bring in the Bulldozers and don't just stop with Rozelle Village!

 

[Basil_Tiger]

Just build something… **I was driving around the area yesterday and the whole Rozelle Precinct is a disgrace.** The 7500 people who made objective submissions are off their heads and maybe they should re-open Callan Park for these nutters?!

Bring in the Bulldozers and don't just stop with Rozelle Village!

Its been mentioned many times over the years at Council meetings,the whole area needs re-development and many of the older residents have convinced newer arrivals that the Tigers Taj-Mahal is the tip of the iceberg for the developers to move in.

 

[Yossarian]

There's also a question of what Sydney as a city needs to do. There was some plan a while back that had growth/density figures for councils throughout the city - I'm not sure if it is still in force but I'm guessing no. We're moving beyond the point where LGAs can be the sole determinant of these things. The state government needs to designate areas suitable for the high density housing (e.g. along major transport routes/hubs and close to employment zones) and take control especially where they extend over multiple LGAs.