Hakoah settles heritage issues
Sydney’s Hakoah Club is progressing with its development application for sporting, social, cultural and community facilities at White City, following agreement on heritage issues.
George Farkas
Agreement has now been reached with Woollahra Council about the heritage significance of White City, in particular the fabric that is to be retained or adaptively re-used. Last night, a meeting of the full Council agreed on those items.
“Now that this has been achieved, Hakoah is progressing with its development application,” said Club President George Farkas.
“Hakoah has been negotiating with a number of entities about the provision of facilities in the proposed development, which at their request remain confidential.
“Hakoah is now also starting community consultation with neighbours and interested parties.”
Mr Farkas said work on progressing plans for White City had been continuing since the Hakoah AGM in March.
“An enormous amount of work has taken place behind the scenes. This includes very extensive discussions with Woollahra Council, our expert advisors and Board representatives over an extended period about the heritage significance of White City.
“This issue had the potential to prevent the development of many of the proposed sporting facilities, particularly Hakoah’s proposed aquatic complex and indoor multi- purpose sports centre.
“Hakoah retained a specialist heritage consultant who prepared a number of detailed reports and heritage inventories. We also commissioned specialist engineers who conducted a detailed examination of the condition of the grandstands and prepared reports, together with a costing of the significant amount involved in their repairs.
“A number of Councillors attended site visits to see first-hand the condition of the site, particularly centre court, and to attend a presentation by our architect and heritage consultant of the Board’s plans for the site.
“This presentation highlighted the many intended benefits of the Board’s vision for the site, in contrast with its current condition. Numerous consultations followed, together with detailed submissions and presentations to Council Committees.
“Hakoah has been in a position for quite some time to progress its development application. However, the Board took the view that the responsible approach was to resolve the heritage issues first.
“Enormous time and effort has been spent by the Board to advance this project, which will provide much needed and outstanding facilities for our club and the broader community.
“The Board looks forward to the whole community coming together to embrace this project.”
