Council’s proposed Library and Community Hub Project

Background: Hunters Hill Croquet Club (HHCC) and its predecessor, Hunters Hill Women’s Bowling Club, have been at the present site in Figtree Park for almost 70 years. The Club currently has over seventy active members and is a vibrant part of the Hunters Hill community, with a particular focus on the community’s senior members.

In 2021-22 during consultation of Council’s $4.75 million redevelopment of Figtree Park, the Club gained overwhelming community support for it to remain at its present location. This was evidenced in a Council community survey where almost 80% of respondents were in support of the Club remaining in Figtree Park, and at a Council organised Citizens Panel; 27/29 community members supported the Club remaining at its present site, and with the caveat that croquet courts would be for non-exclusive croquet club use.

HHCC is committed to the community of Hunters Hill. The Club’s focus is the community’s senior members, a growing sector across Sydney and Australia. In fact, Hunters Hill LGA has a significantly higher proportion of its citizens above 65 yrs than the rest of Sydney (ABS Census Data) and the need for social support services for this sector is only going to grow. HHCC is part of addressing this growing issue !!!

The re-development of Figtree Park left the croquet greens and clubhouse intact and a three-year licence ending in June 2027 was granted to the Club. The club continues to operate efficiently, is financially sound, and provides valuable social and health benefits to seniors, an important segment of the Hunters Hill community.

Library and Community Hub Project: Council notified the community in March of its proposal to develop a library and community hub at 42-46 Gladesville Rd, on land zoned B4 Mixed Use. Our members attended the April 9 community consultation meeting held by Council and its consultants. The Club brought to that meeting an overview of our needs which we shared directly and through the workshop contributions of our members. At a subsequent meeting between our representatives and the Council ‘s General Manager, Nick Tobin, we discussed further our needs, and possible ways for the Club and the proposed development to coexist. The Club highlighted the need to be able to continue to operate during the construction period and then into the future.

Impact on Our Club:

In the event that the proposed development proceeds, the loss of our current clubhouse would be a consequence, and space will be needed in the new facility to accommodate the Club’s requirements for meetings and events. As well there will be a need for storage of playing equipment, and as well storage for lawn maintenance equipment.

It is a fundamental objective for our club, supported overwhelmingly by the community during previous consultation, that we remain at Figtree Park. This gives us the capacity that we need (one and half greens) with the flexibility to manage wear on a natural grass surface which is essential for our sport. There can be no compromise of this surface for the balls to run true which is why we insist on sole management of the greens.

In taking into account the impact of this development, the Club did consider a standalone building for its use, located within the land zoned for public recreation and requiring only a small shift of our playing surface to the north. However, considering the cost of a building, which would have to be borne by our club or the Council, the Club does not consider this a viable option at this point.

HHCC seeks appropriate access to accommodation and space within the new facility.

Library and Community Hub:

Our Club’s Needs

Our needs at Figtree in the context of redevelopment fall into two categories.

• external storage for play and maintenance equipment relocated to the croquet lawn zone

• modest accommodation in the proposed new building for storage, meetings, food preparation and toilets.

External Storage (approximate dimensions)

 Greenkeeper’s shed: 3m x 2m

 Line marking shed: 2m x 2m

 Croquet equipment shed: 3m x 1m

Internal Storage & Facilities

 Shared kitchen: fridge, microwave, sink, bench, cupboards below

 Records: 2 x 3-drawer filing cabinets

 Tools & spares: 1.5m x 0.5m cabinet with shelves

 Long items: storage for items up to 3m eg gazebo

 Lockers: 30 lockable

 Wall space for club displays: 3m x 1.5m

 Readily accessible toilets

Sharing with Other Groups

Security is important for resources owned by the Club, which in turn requires exclusive access to those. However, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities and toilets can be shared.

The Club holds monthly Committee meetings, infrequent General Meetings and in both cases, we could share with other users. Similarly, when we hold larger functions such as celebrations, inter-club events and corporate training events, the Club would seek access to a larger community space which we expect will be part of the Community Hub design. Food is usually served at those events and secure pre-event storage will be important.

If the building design were to afford us a dedicated space of around 20m2, that would make storage and meetings more comfortable for our club.

During the build

It is very important the Club continues to operate during the construction phase. This will require continued access to the greens, to temporary storage and to toilets. Our groundsman requires access to both 240V and three phase power.

Financial Considerations

Beyond the accommodation requirements discussed above, there will in due course be financial considerations. In all our representations to date, the Club has asked that Council give us a formal assurance that Council is committed to the ongoing viability of our croquet club.

All sports clubs are vulnerable to member loss if membership fees become excessive; it is a fine balance. When new financial arrangements are put in place, we ask for support from Council, noting that our Club will lose significant income because of no longer being able to hire the Club hall to other users. This will impact the Club.

Conclusion and Request to Hunters Hill Council:

1. Endorsement from Council for HHCC to remain on site: HHCC seeks endorsement from Council that the proposed Library and Community Hub development will not impinge on the Club’s croquet lawns, and that the Club will be able to remain on site going forward. As well, the Club ,seeks assurance that during construction, members will be able to access the lawns to play and compete.

2. Access to services, meeting rooms and storage both internal and external. As outlined above the Club seeks a commitment from Council that the Club will be engaged in consultation during the design phase of the proposed development, with a view to accommodating its identifiedrequirements.

Chris Mutton,

President

Hunters Hill Croquet Club

June 17, 2025