Access Issues Flagged Before Balmain Site Fire: Developer

The developer behind plans for the former Balmain Leagues Club, gutted by a suspicious fire on the weekend, say they had asked the state government to secure the site two months ago.

Heworth Holdings Group said they had asked Transport for NSW the site made safe and public access stopped in March, and were yet to receive a response. 

The 28,000sq m site fronting Victoria Road, Darling Street and Waterloo Street, was the home of the Balmain Tigers Rugby League team. The premises were partially demolished in 2010. 

Malaysian firm Mulpha backed Hepworth's acquisition of the site for $75 million in 2018 and its $135-million mixed-use development plans, which included a new Balmain Tigers club, was approved by the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel in September, 2020.

The project also includes a new public town square, laneways, a community arts studio, three car park levels, communal open spaces, green walls, 167 apartments, retails areas and commercial space.  

It is estimated to have an end value of $400 millon.

In May 2021, Transport for NSW imposed a compulsory leasehold on the site for seven years to use it during construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel Project.

The NSW Valuer General has assessed that Heworth requires compensation, which has not yet been paid. 

Heworth’s head of property Christopher Walsh said the entire situation was frustrating.

“Heworth wrote to Transport for NSW in March advising that the site should be secured by Transport in order to prevent the public from entering,” Walsh said.

“Heworth is yet to receive a response.”

▲ A render of Heworth’s proposed plans for the Balmain Tigers Club site. Source: Heworth

“Heworth, the club and the community have been frustrated and extremely disappointed that we cannot deliver the DA-approved development until 2028, due to the leasehold acquisition of the site by Transport for NSW and the NSW government.

“The development has stalled, hundreds of future jobs are at risk and the Balmain Tigers are still without a home.” 

The club caught fire at 4.30pm on Saturday, causing traffic chaos on Victoria Road as the smoke reduced visibility in Sydney’s CBD. 

The Leichardt Police Area Command are investigating the cause of the fire and are currently treating the incident as suspicious.

Transport for NSW did not respond by the time of writing when approached by The Urban Developer for comment.