Public submissions are now open on revised plans to redevelop Forestville RSL Club, involving a $77-million proposal for a new clubhouse and 55 seniors’ living units.
Submissions Open for Forestville RSL Redevelopment
Residents in Forestville are being asked to provide feedback on updated redevelopment plans (DA2024/1303) for Forestville RSL Club, with public submissions accepted until 27 June 2025. The proposal involves demolishing the current club facility on Melwood Avenue and constructing a new single-storey clubhouse with seniors’ apartments built above and nearby.
The redevelopment is valued at $77 million and forms part of a two-stage application submitted to NBC and referred to the Sydney North Planning Panel. The club says the changes are aimed at modernising facilities and reducing reliance on gaming revenue.
Proposal Details and Design Changes
The revised plans include 55 independent living units. Sixteen would be situated on two levels above the proposed new clubhouse, with the remaining apartments housed in three separate three-storey buildings located beside the club.
The new facility, known as the “Heart of Forestville,” was designed by Quattro Architecture. The clubhouse would include indoor and alfresco gaming areas, two restaurants, a café, bistro, sports bar, function rooms, outdoor dining areas, and a children’s playground. The apartments would have their own entrance, separate from the club’s facilities.
Changes to the application were made following earlier council feedback, with updated documents addressing landscaping, stormwater management, and compliance with apartment design guidelines.
Community Concerns and Petition
A petition opposing the development has gathered more than 900 signatures, reflecting ongoing concern about the scale and impact of the project. Critics say the proposal would turn the site into a dominant residential complex, reducing the RSL component to a smaller internal space.
Some residents have also raised legal concerns, claiming that members were not given the opportunity to vote on the project before the application was submitted. Under section 41E of the NSW Registered Clubs Act 1976, disposal of club property requires approval from a majority vote at a general meeting. The club’s management has stated a vote will be held after the development application process, in line with legal advice.
Issues Raised in Public Submissions
Recent public submissions have welcomed improvements to the layout and outdoor areas but have highlighted several unresolved matters. One issue is the absence of a clearly defined cenotaph area or space for Anzac Day dawn services—elements central to RSL identity and function.
Concerns have also been raised about the visibility of poker machines within the club layout. Submissions call for a fully enclosed wall separating the gaming area from family zones, as well as access to gaming areas via a discreet side entry rather than through social spaces. The inclusion of an outdoor smoking area linked to the gaming section has also been criticised, with suggestions to repurpose that space for family use.
Toilets are another area of concern. Some submissions have noted the lack of clear provisions for single-sex facilities and raised safety concerns for children and families if only unisex options are offered.
Next Steps for the Forestville RSL Plan
Forestville RSL continues to engage with authorities to address compliance issues identified by council officers and has indicated that further information sessions are planned for members. A general meeting held in April provided updates, though a formal vote on the proposal has not yet been scheduled.
The public submission period remains open until 27 June, after which the application will proceed to further assessment stages.
Published 9-June-2025
