Regarding the developments proposed by Tradies adjoining our club at Gymea. I had several meetings with representatives of the community recently to respond to their concerns regarding our proposed developments in Lancashire Place and Manchester Road.
I also wrote to residents to place on record the facts about the club’s proposed development of affordable housing for key workers and a child care centre.
It is disappointing so much misinformation is being circulated about this proposal.
Let me state quite categorically that there is no intention to house recovering drug addicts or recently released prisoners in the units we are proposing to build. We are not embarking on a social housing project.
Our plan is to offer affordable housing to key workers such as teachers, police officers, paramedics, fire fighters, nurses, and first responders who are being priced out of the area by high rents in the shire.
Our proposed childcare centre will charge fees that recognise that young couples are finding it difficult to secure high quality child care at affordable rates.
The accommodation units and the childcare centre will be managed directly by the Tradies Club, which will allow us to set the policies under which they operate.
Our consultants advice is that neither development will cause any significant traffic issues in nearby streets.
Our traffic engineers have developed a ‘‘drive-in’’ plan so that drop-offs and pick-ups take place inside the child-care centre’s boundary. This has been done specifically to minimise the impact on surrounding streets.
I would also like it noted that the club’s DA was lodged with Sutherland Shire Council in the ordinary course of events following the completion of plans by our architects and traffic studies by our engineers.
The Board of Tradies has made the decision to use the land we own adjoining the club for these two developments which we believe will offer a benefit to the public and because there is a need within the community for these types of developments.
We have a strong track record as a successful community-based club, with three premises, in Gymea, Caringbah and Helensburgh. We are a good employer, we support our staff and our members and we give more than a million dollars a year to local charities and sporting clubs.
In short, Tradies is a responsible, local club that cares about the community.
- Tim McAleer, CEO Tradies.