Mayor moves to save Leichhardt

[weststigers4life]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/mayor-moves-to-save-leichhardt-20121209-2b3mr.html


Memories … Leichhardt Oval was packed for the opening round of the season this year, but it has been suggested that Wests Tigers will abandon their spiritual home. Photo: Steve Christo
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LEICHHARDT mayor Darcy Byrne has vowed to do all in his power - including a potential multimillion-dollar funding grant - to prevent the Wests Tigers abandoning their spiritual home at Leichhardt Oval.

Byrne on Monday will make contact with the Tigers after chief executive Stephen Humphreys yesterday told Fairfax Media the next season could well be the last time the Tigers play at the beloved suburban venue.

Byrne will put forward a case to play more, not less, games at Leichhardt, hoping to push the number of matches up from four to six each year.

''It would be a disaster if you had no more Tigers games at Leichhardt Oval,'' Byrne said. ''It would be a genuine tragedy for our local area and I'm not going to let that happen.

''Leichhardt Oval would lose its reason for being. You're talking about more than a century that this place has been at the very heart of our community. My old man wanted his ashes scattered at Leichhardt Oval, and he's not the only one. There are a lot of people like that. It's a place that is the very centre of what is special about living in the inner west. There's an enormous emotional significance for a huge number of local people.''

In a bid to save the ground from extinction, Byrne will put up a mayoral minute at the final council meeting of the year on Tuesday night, confident he'll receive the backing for a proposal to pump funds into the dilapidated ground.

In 2010 the federal government provided $3.5 million of funding to upgrade the ground's surface and the grandstand's corporate facilities.

The state government recently announced it would not be putting money into the refurbishment of suburban grounds, opting to maintain Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium, while leaving the door open for a potential new rectangular stadium in western Sydney.

Humphreys's main concern is that Leichhardt Oval doesn't provide spectators with a level of comfort and convenience that adheres with NRL standards.

But Byrne believes Humphreys has jumped the gun by labelling next year as potentially the ground's last season as an NRL venue and has urged the Tigers chief executive to listen to the supporters. ''Leichhardt Oval is the most popular and iconic rugby league venue in Australia,'' Byrne said.

''The idea that the Tigers should cease playing games there altogether is ludicrous. The four games played there at present is not enough. To be frank, the Tigers may have made the finals more often in recent years if they had played more games at their spiritual home.

''The club's members, fans and local residents overwhelmingly support more, not less, games being played at Leichhardt. The government, NRL and Wests Tigers need to listen to what the fans want and ensure that this famous ground is not abandoned. Council owns the ground and I will be inviting the club to sit down with me to discuss what is needed to keep the Tigers at Leichhardt.''

 

[Tiger_Watto]

This sounds interesting… You have to wonder how much money a game injects into the local community and how much the Council charge WT's to play there?

 

[Guest]

Tigers should opt to do a deal - approve the Rozelle redevelopment and we'll continue to play at Leichhardt…if not we'll pack up and play out of Campbelltown which is easier, and more logical to upgrade.

 

[Tigerdave]

Tigers should opt to do a deal - approve the Rozelle redevelopment and we'll continue to play at Leichhardt…if not we'll pack up and play out of Campbelltown which is easier, and more logical to upgrade.

Certainly sounds reasonable enough

LEICHHARDT mayor Darcy Byrne has vowed to do all in his power

Seems clear what needs to be done to keep the Tigers there for a few games a year…..

 

[Snake]

Tigers should opt to do a deal - approve the Rozelle redevelopment and we'll continue to play at Leichhardt…if not we'll pack up and play out of Campbelltown which is easier, and more logical to upgrade.

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Agree with this time to show full support and if not time to move on .

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Where will the money come from?

 

[Tiger_Al]

Tigers should opt to do a deal - approve the Rozelle redevelopment and we'll continue to play at Leichhardt…if not we'll pack up and play out of Campbelltown which is easier, and more logical to upgrade.

Damn right… as far as I see it (and considor that I hold leichhardt as a spiritual place) Leichhardt council can't have it both ways, by destroying the balmain leagues then hailing they still want Tigers games.

I agree willow they should back both the leagues club development and pour what funds they can into LO.

Just find it funny that as soon as Humphries mention we might leave the area, we are all of a sudden such a vital community organisation, where was that kind of passion and support for the Tigers leagues club.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Goddamn… I am sick of the off season already.

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

Manly is also blowing up about Brookvale Oval and they have a "crisis" meeting this week. Leichhardt mayor now getting air time.

Too late ladies, the horse has bolted.

 

[sunshine_coast_tiger]

This Darcy Byrne has a hide. He and his council has done everything in their power to opopose the re-development of the Balmain Leagues Club site. Leichhardt Council has spent thousands and thousands of rate payers dollars to oppose the re-development in costly submissions against the project.

The Council has initially done a Balmain Leagues Club site master plan and has since tried to re-neg on the approved FSR for the site ever since.

They have lobbied the State Government to be allowed to make the ruling on the development themselevs. Thankfully both the current and former NSW Government know how inept Leichhardt Council is and taken the decision away from them.

I would love more games at Leichhardt. In fact I would love a 6-6 split between Leichhardt and Campbelltown. I would make moe games at Leichhardt conditional on the council supporting the redevelopment of the Leagues Club site and spending many millions of dollars needed to improve the facilities at Leichhardt Oval (insead of wasting rate payers money on opposing worthwile developments).

 

[Anthism]

The council aren't against the Leagues club, please tell me you realize that. It's the buildings on top they oppose - same as a good majority of the people against it.
I don't think anyone wants to see WT die out in Balmain/Leichhardt/Rozelle. If there were plans to approve just a Leagues Club it would be done ASAP I can tell you now.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[Flippedy]

Governments and the NRL should really be looking at getting crowd figures up before thinking about abandoning local home grounds like Leichhardt and Brookvale. The facilities are comfortable enough, who cares if they aren't bloody 'state of the art'. It would look much better for the League to have a packed to the rafters local suburban ground than a big stadium with no one in it! Half empty stadiums are not a good look and, apart from when the finals are on, this is what we have happening now. The crowds have gone away from Rugby League - hell, there were far more people attending matches in 70s and 80s than there is now.

 

[Benjirific]

The council aren't against the Leagues club, please tell me you realize that. It's the buildings on top they oppose - same as a good majority of the people against it.
I don't think anyone wants to see WT die out in Balmain/Leichhardt/Rozelle. If there were plans to approve just a Leagues Club it would be done ASAP I can tell you now.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

You're kidding me right? They've had the chance for almost 10 years to approve a development here, much smaller than the one currently under consideration by the PAC, and have just stuffed them around that whole time, coming up with excuses to knock it back each time and even telling them to purchase more property before doing so.

Darcy Byrne is also the same man who accused those involved with this application (which includes the Leagues Club officials) of corrupt activities. Don't give me this BS about him and council supporting the club when all they've done is put roadblocks in their way for years. Them saying they 'support' the return of the Leagues Club is just an attempt to take the moral high ground and drive a wedge between the development and the club so they can retain all of the power in the situation.

 

[sunshine_coast_tiger]

The council aren't against the Leagues club, please tell me you realize that. It's the buildings on top they oppose - same as a good majority of the people against it.
I don't think anyone wants to see WT die out in Balmain/Leichhardt/Rozelle. If there were plans to approve just a Leagues Club it would be done ASAP I can tell you now.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

I have been told that certain councillerors would not even approve the same size building on the site if they were to demolish and rebuild saying it is too big.

In a modern world to rebuild the Balmain Leagues Club will require other aspects including other retail and of cours appartments above. The Balmain Leagues Club directors in the past realised this and set about working with council to achieve a suitable outcome. Leichhardt Council kept changing their minds on the project and this in the main part is the reason for Balmain Leagues Club current financial position.

Does anyone know if their is any compenstation due to Balmain Leagues Club closin early at the request of the failed metro project?

I really hope that the development gets approved and goes ahead soon to help Balmain Leagues Club return to their rightful home.

 

[Anthism]

The council aren't against the Leagues club, please tell me you realize that. It's the buildings on top they oppose - same as a good majority of the people against it.
I don't think anyone wants to see WT die out in Balmain/Leichhardt/Rozelle. If there were plans to approve just a Leagues Club it would be done ASAP I can tell you now.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

You're kidding me right? They've had the chance for almost 10 years to approve a development here, much smaller than the one currently under consideration by the PAC, and have just stuffed them around that whole time, coming up with excuses to knock it back each time and even telling them to purchase more property before doing so.

Darcy Byrne is also the same man who accused those involved with this application (which includes the Leagues Club officials) of corrupt activities. Don't give me this BS about him and council supporting the club when all they've done is put roadblocks in their way for years. Them saying they 'support' the return of the Leagues Club is just an attempt to take the moral high ground and drive a wedge between the development and the club so they can retain all of the power in the situation.

Do you think anyone wants that building there in its current state? Of course they want the leagues club back. The development is a joke and the WT/Elias who ever else is convincing fans who have little idea with "bring back the Tigers" or whatever is shameful because the Tigers aren't even the focus of the building let alone the main shareholders. It's a conflict of interest from both sides and you'd like to think money hungry businessmen would not prevail either way.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[matty_tiepie]

This is the email i just got back from Darcy Byrne

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for your email. Unlike most Councillors I supported and fought for the rezoning the Club received in 2008 at 12 and 8 storeys.

Roads and Maritime Services, Air Services Australia and the Director General of the Department of Planning all agreed that the more recent 32 storey proposal was over the top. I have yet to hear from anyone with planning expertise who thinks the revised proposal is much better. As Mayor I can’t ignore the advice from experts that this development would smash local businesses and create traffic chaos in local streets and on Victoria Road.

I note that the revised plan provides no written guarantee about providing a permanent home for the Club. My understanding is it only allows for a commercial lease for 15 years at market rates. If the reason for approving this is to get the Club back surely we should expect greater certainty than that.

I make no apology for insisting, like most Tigers fans, that games should continue to be played at Leichhardt. Are you suggesting they shouldn’t? Given the Club gets no financial payment if the redevelopment is approved how are the two issues linked?

Surely it would be hypocritical to insist on putting skyscrapers in Rozelle to “bring the Tigers home” while at the same time agreeing not to play anymore games at Leichhardt Oval.

I will continue to stand up for a sensible redevelopment and for the Club’s members to get a fair deal out of it.
Cr Darcy Byrne | Mayor | Councillor (Rozelle / Lilyfield)

 

[Benjirific]

This is the email i just got back from Darcy Byrne

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for your email. Unlike most Councillors I supported and fought for the rezoning the Club received in 2008 at 12 and 8 storeys.

Roads and Maritime Services, Air Services Australia and the Director General of the Department of Planning all agreed that the more recent 32 storey proposal was over the top. I have yet to hear from anyone with planning expertise who thinks the revised proposal is much better. As Mayor I can’t ignore the advice from experts that this development would smash local businesses and create traffic chaos in local streets and on Victoria Road.

I note that the revised plan provides no written guarantee about providing a permanent home for the Club. My understanding is it only allows for a commercial lease for 15 years at market rates. If the reason for approving this is to get the Club back surely we should expect greater certainty than that.

I make no apology for insisting, like most Tigers fans, that games should continue to be played at Leichhardt. Are you suggesting they shouldn’t? Given the Club gets no financial payment if the redevelopment is approved how are the two issues linked?

Surely it would be hypocritical to insist on putting skyscrapers in Rozelle to “bring the Tigers home” while at the same time agreeing not to play anymore games at Leichhardt Oval.

I will continue to stand up for a sensible redevelopment and for the Club’s members to get a fair deal out of it.
Cr Darcy Byrne | Mayor | Councillor (Rozelle / Lilyfield)

Haha, nice try Darcy. It's hypocritical of him to insist on the 'skyscrapers' while not pusing for more games at Leichhardt, but the other way round isn't? This guy thinks he's the spokesperson for the Leagues Club membership, but he's far from the truth.

I think he misunderstands the club's place in the development. The reality is that the space and design that will be assigned for the club in the development can't really be used for any other purpose. What is the problem with a lease agreement when there is no other realistic use for the space?

The council aren't against the Leagues club, please tell me you realize that. It's the buildings on top they oppose - same as a good majority of the people against it.
I don't think anyone wants to see WT die out in Balmain/Leichhardt/Rozelle. If there were plans to approve just a Leagues Club it would be done ASAP I can tell you now.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

You're kidding me right? They've had the chance for almost 10 years to approve a development here, much smaller than the one currently under consideration by the PAC, and have just stuffed them around that whole time, coming up with excuses to knock it back each time and even telling them to purchase more property before doing so.

Darcy Byrne is also the same man who accused those involved with this application (which includes the Leagues Club officials) of corrupt activities. Don't give me this BS about him and council supporting the club when all they've done is put roadblocks in their way for years. Them saying they 'support' the return of the Leagues Club is just an attempt to take the moral high ground and drive a wedge between the development and the club so they can retain all of the power in the situation.

Do you think anyone wants that building there in its current state? Of course they want the leagues club back. The development is a joke and the WT/Elias who ever else is convincing fans who have little idea with "bring back the Tigers" or whatever is shameful because the Tigers aren't even the focus of the building let alone the main shareholders. It's a conflict of interest from both sides and you'd like to think money hungry businessmen would not prevail either way.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

I want this development in its current state, and I just happen to be a lifelong resident of Rozelle. Just because the Leagues Club won't be a 'shareholder' doesn't mean it is not a major stakeholder in the building, in fact probably the most important. The developer doesn't have a means for development without the Leagues Club, that is the reality and they understand that.

I also don't understand the conflict of interest? Maybe you misunderstood what I've said, or possibly mean something else, but I can't see a conflict of interest for anyone in the Leagues Club with regard to this development.

 

[Anthism]

This is the email i just got back from Darcy Byrne

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for your email. Unlike most Councillors I supported and fought for the rezoning the Club received in 2008 at 12 and 8 storeys.

Roads and Maritime Services, Air Services Australia and the Director General of the Department of Planning all agreed that the more recent 32 storey proposal was over the top. I have yet to hear from anyone with planning expertise who thinks the revised proposal is much better. As Mayor I can’t ignore the advice from experts that this development would smash local businesses and create traffic chaos in local streets and on Victoria Road.

I note that the revised plan provides no written guarantee about providing a permanent home for the Club. My understanding is it only allows for a commercial lease for 15 years at market rates. If the reason for approving this is to get the Club back surely we should expect greater certainty than that.

I make no apology for insisting, like most Tigers fans, that games should continue to be played at Leichhardt. Are you suggesting they shouldn’t? Given the Club gets no financial payment if the redevelopment is approved how are the two issues linked?

Surely it would be hypocritical to insist on putting skyscrapers in Rozelle to “bring the Tigers home” while at the same time agreeing not to play anymore games at Leichhardt Oval.

I will continue to stand up for a sensible redevelopment and for the Club’s members to get a fair deal out of it.
Cr Darcy Byrne | Mayor | Councillor (Rozelle / Lilyfield)

Haha, nice try Darcy. It's hypocritical of him to insist on the 'skyscrapers' while not pusing for more games at Leichhardt, but the other way round isn't? This guy thinks he's the spokesperson for the Leagues Club membership, but he's far from the truth.

I think he misunderstands the club's place in the development. The reality is that the space and design that will be assigned for the club in the development can't really be used for any other purpose. What is the problem with a lease agreement when there is no other realistic use for the space?

The council aren't against the Leagues club, please tell me you realize that. It's the buildings on top they oppose - same as a good majority of the people against it.
I don't think anyone wants to see WT die out in Balmain/Leichhardt/Rozelle. If there were plans to approve just a Leagues Club it would be done ASAP I can tell you now.
\
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

You're kidding me right? They've had the chance for almost 10 years to approve a development here, much smaller than the one currently under consideration by the PAC, and have just stuffed them around that whole time, coming up with excuses to knock it back each time and even telling them to purchase more property before doing so.

Darcy Byrne is also the same man who accused those involved with this application (which includes the Leagues Club officials) of corrupt activities. Don't give me this BS about him and council supporting the club when all they've done is put roadblocks in their way for years. Them saying they 'support' the return of the Leagues Club is just an attempt to take the moral high ground and drive a wedge between the development and the club so they can retain all of the power in the situation.

Do you think anyone wants that building there in its current state? Of course they want the leagues club back. The development is a joke and the WT/Elias who ever else is convincing fans who have little idea with "bring back the Tigers" or whatever is shameful because the Tigers aren't even the focus of the building let alone the main shareholders. It's a conflict of interest from both sides and you'd like to think money hungry businessmen would not prevail either way.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

I want this development in its current state, and I just happen to be a lifelong resident of Rozelle. Just because the Leagues Club won't be a 'shareholder' doesn't mean it is not a major stakeholder in the building, in fact probably the most important. The developer doesn't have a means for development without the Leagues Club, that is the reality and they understand that.

I also don't understand the conflict of interest? Maybe you misunderstood what I've said, or possibly mean something else, but I can't see a conflict of interest for anyone in the Leagues Club with regard to this development.

Conflict of interest I.e councillors+people opposing don't want to destroy the area and local business vs people agreeing either wanting money or something else. However both want the Leagues club (give or take x amount of people - I'm not going to generalize).

I've lived in Rozelle my whole life too and am a part of a business in the area too and I firmly understand the consequences of this development.
It's good you see that. The Leagues club is indeed a ploy for them to get the development through. Important to the building perhaps but it's not even close to a quarter of what the whole package entails and have little say as to what goes - they are forced to support the development and would not be able to fund the Leagues club themselves.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[innsaneink]

Wests Balmain forum –>>

zzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Yossarian]

The site is an appropriate site for heavy density housing… There are plenty of country towns to move to if you don't like the idea of living in a global city. Leagues club or not, there is going to be more of this type of development if you live on a major transport corridor.