Ballina Council will this morning consider various lease and planning matters arising at the August 2019 Ordinary meeting in relation to Club Lennox.
In August Council resolved that the matter be deferred to the September Ordinary meeting subject to a Councillor briefing being held with all parties.
A Councillor briefing was held on 28 August with representatives of Club Lennox and those who have raised concerns with Council about the operation of the club in attendance.
The club is located on community land owned by Council and part of the King Street road reserve. Council considered leasing arrangements over the King Street road reserve for Club Lennox in March and May 2019. Council resolved to grant a lease to Club Lennox for the continued use of the King Street area.
There is also an existing lease in place for Lot 31 DP 11905, 10 Stewart Street, being the land parcel that contains the building and the majority of the associated bowling greens and car parking.
In response to the consideration of the lease, Council received feedback and submissions from a number of individuals and groups about the operation of the club.
The various submissions raise concerns about the operation of Club Lennox (particularly from the perspective of some neighbours) and others expressed support for the Club.
The concerns raised about the operation of the Club related to noise, patron behaviour, activities outside of the building (such as the presence of food trucks and outside seating), development activity, car parking in King Street and the lease of public land in King Street.
Key issues
The concerns raise two key matters for consideration by Council being the planning implications of the activities being undertaken (in Council’s capacity as a planning authority) and implications associated with the terms of the leases that are in place (in Council’s capacity as the landowner).
The key issues when considering the future were the neighbourhood impacts associated with the operation of Club Lennox; the community benefits associated with the operation of Club Lennox; the need for planning approval for certain activities; and compliance with the terms of leases in place
One of the primary concerns raised by neighbours has been impacts associated with noise, patron behaviour and outside activities – including special events and children playing.
Noise associated with patrons and music at the venue, and other matters involving the service of alcohol are typically matters for Liquor and Gaming NSW. It is understood that Liquor and Gaming NSW has been in contact with Club Lennox in relation to complaints made by neighbours.
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