Williamstown RSL is likely to be redeveloped into a multi-storey retail and residential development to deal with its multimillion-dollar debt.
RSL state president, Major General David McLachlan, said the sub-branch had been given a number of options by the Victorian branch.
“One is to close on their present site and have the site redeveloped with an RSL included in that redevelopment; to amalgamate with another sub-branch if we can find a sub-branch that is prepared to take on their debt; and the third one would be to close and sell the property,” he said.
He said the Victorian branch did not want to see the sub-branch close.
“Strategically, it’s important to us and we never want to see any sub-branch close,” Mr McLachlan said.
“But in the event that something has to happen there, we’ll look after the staff and the members if they decide to redevelop on that site, and we would be keen to have that happen as quickly as possible so it can get up and get on with its life.”
The sub-branch, which is about 95-years-old, has more than 1000 members and directly and indirectly employs about 35 people.
Mr McLachlan said the site, on the corner of Ferguson Street and Melbourne Road, would be ideal for multi-level redevelopment.
“It would be a combination of residential, retail and the RSL.
“It’s a prime site; it’s an iconic site as you come into the gateway into Williamstown and we’d certainly be very conscious of that.
“It’s taken us a couple of years to get [the club] back on to an even keel to be able to trade, but at the same time it’s got unsustainable debt now as a consequence of that and no matter how long they traded you would have to have a significant turnaround to be able to pay the debt back.
“It’s in the millions.”
Williamston RSL declined to comment.
