THE $16 million second-stage development of Club Central Menai last week received the backing of Sutherland Shire Council's independent hearing and assessment panel, subject to conditions.
The project will include a new 165-seat restaurant, a 79-place childcare centre, separate children's play area catering for 150 youngsters and a three-level basement car park for 90 cars.
Mayor Steve Simpson is a club director and lodged an official declared affiliation. He stood aside from any considerations of the development and has nottaken part in any discussions on the proposal.
Residents objected to the second-stage expansion and said the removal of 25 trees along the boundary of the club extension would cause a loss of privacy for professional suites, including doctors and other health professionals at the adjacent Menai Metro building.
They are also worried increased traffic will cause safety risks for children at the existing childcare centre and play centres in the area.
Allison Crescent resident Joseph Gindy had a number of concerns.
"There has been a limited period of consultation," he said. "Only 42 people were notified, yet it is going to impact all of central Menai."
He said there would be direct competition to the existing small business owners at Menai who operated play centres, restaurants and childcare centres.
‘‘There are three childcare centres already in the area. This area is surrounded by kids and they are introducing more traffic.
‘‘Police have raised concerns regarding this development that allow children to be picked up by parents or carers who have just indulged in the club and may be under the influence of alcohol.’’
Mr Gindy has begun an online petition calling for the club development to be rejected or scaled back.
Danuta Hulajko, a qualified town planner who runs a natural medicine clinic in Menai Metro, said a comprehensive assessment of noise, traffic and parking for the neighbourhood should be carried out. She said the council had not provided a 3D model of the development as required.
CLUB BOSS DEFENDS PLAN
Club Menai chief executive Mike Walker said everything in the DA was within the guidelines.
‘‘I think their objection is unwarranted,’’ he said. ‘‘The (Menai Metro) setback is no different to to ours. There will be no overshadowing from our project on their premises because they are directly north of us.
‘‘We are building as far away from the boundary as their building and the trees that are to be removed are on our property. We will be replacing those trees with 100 trees to be planted elsewhere.’’
Responding to concerns that the use of the childcare centre could be changed in the future, he said: ‘‘The childcare centre is not a licensed area. There is a bit of confusion between what is the licensed premises and what will be the childcare and child-pay areas.
‘‘These premises are not licensed and won’t be licensed by the (liquor and gaming) authority. We have a pre-commitment (from an operator) to the childcare and child-play area.’’
Mr Walker said a 3D model was given to the council.
‘‘The top of the building will not be any considerable height above the peak roof-line of the Menai Metro,’’ he said. ‘‘We are 15 metres and the guidelines are up to 20 metres.’’
The matter goes to the council later this month for consideration.
Club Menai chief executive Mike Walker said everything in the DA was within the guidelines.
‘‘I think their objection is unwarranted,’’ he said. ‘‘The (Menai Metro) setback is no different to to ours. There will be no overshadowing from our project on their premises because they are directly north of us.
‘‘We are building as far away from the boundary as their building and the trees that are to be removed are on our property. We will be replacing those trees with 100 trees to be planted elsewhere.’’
Responding to concerns that the use of the childcare centre could be changed in the future, he said: ‘‘The childcare centre is not a licensed area. There is a bit of confusion between what is the licensed premises and what will be the childcare and child-pay areas.
‘‘These premises are not licensed and won’t be licensed by the (liquor and gaming) authority. We have a pre-commitment (from an operator) to the childcare and child-play area.’’
Mr Walker said a 3D model was given to the council.
‘‘The top of the building will not be any considerable height above the peak roof-line of the Menai Metro,’’ he said. ‘‘We are 15 metres and the guidelines are up to 20 metres.’’
The matter goes to the council later this month for consideration.
What do you think of Club Central Menai’s plans?
