The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has recommended the controversial development currently proposed for the former Balmain Tigers Club site in Rozelle be refused. Greens MP and Member for Balmain Jamie Parker has been leading the community campaign against the overdevelopment, which at one stage was so high that Airservices Australia said it would encroach into airspace.

Mr Parker said: 

 “I’m a long-time supporter of the Balmain Tigers Club and I’m appalled the developer has continually failed to put forward an acceptable proposal for this important site.

 “I’ve met with Planning Minister Brad Hazzard to raise residents’ concerns about the scale of this development, which would have destroyed our village streetscape, devastated the high street and caused severe traffic problems on already congested streets.

 “I’m pleased the Department of Planning has listened to residents and recommended that this overdevelopment be refused, and I urge the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) to heed this advice.

 “I want to bring the Tigers home and have been working closely with residents and community groups to advocate for an appropriate development on the site.

 “Considering the Department’s position it seems this site is appropriate for a development similar to recent nearby approvals for mixed residential/retail development of around 6-8 storeys.

 “This disastrous process began under the former Labor government’s corrupt planning system and the continued failure to deliver an appropriate development is a damning legacy of those dark days.

 “For decades Labor’s corrupt planning system held this State in its thrall, running on developer favours while sidelining residents and genuine planning.

 “The Liberal government was elected on the promise of reforming Labor’s disastrous system and I am calling on the Planning Minister to take action and facilitate an appropriate proposal, instead of continuing to allow the developer to put forward outrageous proposals.

 “Thank you to the many residents who have campaigned hard to protect our neighbourhood from this gross overdevelopment, in particular the ongoing work of the Rozelle Residents Action Group.

  “I will continue to work toward an appropriate development on this important site and to return the Tigers home to our community,” Mr Parker said.