Stop Press Thursday August 21!
Thanks to all who contacted their councillors before Tuesday night, Bronte's recreational open space at the Bowling Club's grounds on Varna Park has had a reprieve.
Greens and Liberal councillors moved that before Council consider the rezoning proposed, it should first know whether there was "any implied trust that could complicate the land and whether there were any surviving conditions attached to the sale of the land to the Bronte Bowling Club in 1957", and also "arrange for a valuation of the land as it is currently zoned 6(a) open space (ie without any development potential)".
In this the Liberals and Greens were supported by Waverley's Independent councillor, and the motion was passed.
The matter will most likely now come back before Council at next month's full meeting. In the meantime it is hoped that real efforts can be made by all concerned for the future of the Club (which would include almost all we think, and certainly includes the Waverley councillors who turned up to Tuesday's meeting) to create opportunities for its revival. Noone will be happy if the club is forced to close.
Council also resolved to consider subsidising a professional manager for the club for a period. In simple terms though, the club needs new members and the activities to appeal to them.
So it's "so far so good" - but Council needs to hold firm to its principles, to defend Waverley's last remaining recreational open space, while the Club needs strong support to stay afloat.

New Threat to Bronte's Dwindling Open Space

The proposal to rezone the eastern portion of the Bronte Bowling Club's land so as to make way for townhouse development is before Waverley Council on Tuesday, 19 August. It appears that Council is poised to pass this proposal. We must act now to help save our precious and diminishing open spaces and to secure what is left of our community infrastructure.

Remember there are Council elections coming in March - so we are in a position to have our voice heard.

Only a few Waverley councillors have so far undertaken to vote against this proposal. Raise your objections with all councillors, not just to those few who are already voting against this rezoning.
And pass on this message to anyone you know who may also be concerned and wish to voice their objection.

Please ... ACT NOW! Protest to your local councillors before next Tuesday 19 August.

Phone Fax Party
Kerryn Sloan 9371 3568 9371 3568 Liberal
Sally Betts 9130 3250 9381 2456 Liberal
Ted Plummer 9344 9035 email: tedp@waverley.nsw.gov.au Labor
Paul Pearce 93894639 93894639 Labor
Peter Moscatt 9340 7572 9665 0116 Labor
George Newhouse 9387 2060 9387 2060 Labor
Sam Einfeld 9389 0943 9389 0996 Independent

Alternatively, you may email us on bronteopenspace@yahoo.com.au to register your voice and we will pass it on. Ensure that you leave us your name and address and any comment you wish to make.

Thank you for your support and regard for Bronte. Let's work together to keep Bronte beautiful.

Thank you,
Bronte Beach Precinct Committee and friends

For details about the development and further arguments you can use when speaking with your Councillors, click here.
Also, links to Bronte Beach Precinct minutes with relevant Motions and references to the Bowling Club can be seen here.