Grocon has officially withdrawn its planning application to replace the Williamstown RSL with a five-storey apartment block and cafe.
As revealed by Star Weekly on Tuesday, the Save Williamstown lobby group had vowed to lodge mass objections against the proposed development.
RSL Victoria president Rob Webster on Thursday told Star Weekly the plan had been withdrawn at the request of the Williamstown sub-branch.
The Williamstown RSL Club closed on January 3 because of a $3.5 million debt.
The club’s land, at the corner of Ferguson Street and Melbourne Road, had been gifted to returned Diggers and the community for the RSL sub-branch in 1919.
Mr Webster told Star Weekly the state branch’s sole focus was the future viability of the Williamstown sub-branch.
“The state branch had been fully supportive of the Grocon proposal on the basis that it proved to be the best possible outcome for the Williamstown RSL sub-branch and the league in the Hobsons Bay region,” he said.
“The state branch was also committed to retaining a Williamstown RSL sub-branch presence in the original proposed redevelopment.
“However, given the planning restrictions and challenges on the site, that proposal proved to be unviable.
“The state branch has continued to provide support to the Williamstown RSL committee throughout this challenging period of their history and now also supports the actions taken by Grocon in withdrawing the current planning application at the request of the Williamstown RSL sub-branch committee.”
Save Williamstown spokesman Godfrey Moase said the withdrawal of the plan was a win for the community.
“Sometimes the voice of the community gets recognised and this is one of those times,” he said.
“It’s great that the RSL has listened to the community. It just shows how, together we have the power to make a difference.”
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said the community needed certainty.
“The situation seems to be changing on a weekly basis,” he said.
“What the community are looking for is certainty and a common sense solution.”
Williamstown RSL vice-president Rob Rowe has been approached for comment.
