The Save Bangalow Bowlo Steering Committee (SBBSC) are seeking clarification on a number of issues in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formed the basis of the amalgamation between the Bangalow Bowlo and Norths Collective.
The MoU set out commitments by Norths in relation to maintenance and upgrades as part of them taking over the Bangalow Bowlo.
After two years and four months Norths closed the club citing ‘substantial and costly repairs and refurbishment to meet compliance, safety and operational standards’ as the reason for closure. Norths claimed they had done a three-year review of trading at the former Bangalow Bowlo that led to the decision.
‘The community is struggling to understand how a review based on three years of trading can be relied upon when the club had operated under Norths for approximately two years and four months,’ a spokesperson for SBBSC told The Echo.
‘This is particularly relevant because the MOU itself contains financial viability provisions that refer to events occurring after the third anniversary of amalgamation.’
The committee said that, ‘no Council closure order, building prohibition notice, fire safety order or publicly released engineering report requiring immediate closure has been produced’ by Norths in relation to the closure.
The SBBSC says they havre sought independent legal advice and representation and have requested Liquor & Gaming NSW examine matters relating to governance, transparency, and compliance with commitments made during the amalgamation process.
‘The community voted for amalgamation on the understanding that the Bowlo would be repaired, upgraded and protected for future generations,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Today the club remains closed, and many members and residents are still seeking answers about how those commitments were delivered and how a three-year review could be used to justify closure after only two years and four months of operation.’
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