By Matthew Sims
The Spotswood Kingsville Returned and Services League [RSL] Sub-branch has remained in limbo for more than a year, as lease negotiations with Hobsons Bay council continue.
The RSL Sub-branch has been involved in negotiations with the council since October 1, 2021 concerning its lease of land on the Mary Street Reserve.
While the RSL was meant to sign a lease with the council on Friday, October 21, the RSL was not satisfied with the conditions outlined.
RSL president Gabrielle Prideaux said the new lease conditions would remove the car park and enclosed bowling green.
“Without the green and the car parks, we won’t be able to carry out the remit of the RSL,” she said.
“We need to have a car park to be a business.”
Major Prideaux said council had been “not transparent” during the discussions.
She said the RSL was an essential sanctuary for returned veterans.
“Veterans, when they come by or have PTSD, they need a safe space,” Major Prideaux said.
“The theme of the club is family.”
According to a Hobsons Bay spokesperson, council owns Mary Street Reserve and has allocated about $1.5 million toward its redevelopment alongside the Better Places Spotswood and South Kingsville consultation process.
“The community has told us that it wants us to redevelop this public space for broader community use,” the spokesperson said.
“Council has always been consistent, transparent and fair throughout the lease negotiations, and has made several changes to the terms of the lease to meet the RSL’s requirements.
“However, the negotiations have been protracted because the RSL wants to retain the old lease area, which would prevent council from meeting the community’s expectations for the reserve redevelopment.
“The RSL now has the opportunity to secure a 10-year lease at a highly concessional rent for this valuable community facility, as well as continued use of the Memorial Garden and a new car park.”
The spokesperson said the council has “encouraged and welcomed” the RSL’s input into the plans for the Mary Street Reserve.
“Council is supportive of all our RSL branches providing services to veterans and this will continue with a new lease,” the spokesperson said.
“The redevelopment of the Mary Street Reserve is in line with community expectations and does not prevent the RSL from running its normal operations from the site.”
The RSL has launched a petition advocating for the council to allow the RSL to keep its enclosed bowling green and car parks as part of the new lease, with the petition attracting more than 330 signatures at the time of publication.
Details: www.change.org/savespotswoodkingsvilleRSL
