Byron Shire Councillor Asren Pugh is seeking support to consider the option of heritage listing the Bangalow Bowlo in response to the closure of the bowlo by Norths Collective (North Sydney Leagues Club) on Friday, 24 October.
Norths ceased trading just three days after the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that restricted them from selling the site lapsed. The request from the community that Norths hand the site back to the community was refused by Norths.
Cr Pugh states in his notice of motion (NoM), that is going before the 13 November planning meeting, that Norths ‘is now exploring options to sell the asset’.
The NoM requests a report on the ‘Heritage listing options to ensure the Bangalow Bowlo continues as a sporting and cultural hub for the community’ as well as a report on ‘the current land use zoning and what planning instruments allow on the site’.
Secure the bowlo for future generations
‘The Bangalow Bowlo has been a much-loved community hub for over 115 years. It has played a central role in creating social, cultural and sporting connections since 1910 and it is time that this was recognised properly,’ Cr Pugh told The Echo.
‘With the current uncertainty about the future of the Bowlo I want to make sure that it remains as that social, sporting, and cultural hub into the future.
So I’m asking Council to look at whether we can ensure this is recognised through a heritage listing so that whatever happens to it, it stays as the Bangalow Bowlo, and all the various things that that means for our community.’
If you want to get involved in saving the bowlo email: [email protected].
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