Inner West Council will issue a demolition order on the derelict and unsafe Balmain Leagues Club if the NSW Government fails to act to ensure the site is safe.
At last night’s meeting, Council resolved unanimously to issue the order and demand the NSW Government declare its intentions for the site.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said Premier Dominic Perrottet and Transport Minister David Andrew should respond today.
“The recent fire at Balmain Leagues Club came as no surprise.
“We have repeatedly and publicly called on the NSW Government, who holds the lease and has control over the site, to allow this building to be demolished because of the fire and safety threat there.
“They must finally do so now,” Mayor Byrne said.
Fire tore through the abandoned building on Saturday afternoon. Police are treating the incident as suspicious.
“This large and dangerous fire was no surprise,” said Mayor Byrne. “The building has lain empty and derelict for years and firies are called to the site on a regular basis.
“Since September 2020, the owners of the site have been unable to proceed with their development, which was approved by a state government appointed panel.
“That’s because for two long years, the NSW government has said they were going to compulsorily acquire the property to use as a tunnelling site for the Western Harbour Tunnel.
“So for two years they have not acted – while refusing to allow the owner to demolish the building. This has gone on for long enough.
“It’s time for the Perrottet Government to take responsibility and make a decision. They must act now to demolish it or we we’ll take legal action to force them,” Mayor Byrne said.
Council also believes there may be asbestos contamination at the site and has called on the Perrottet Government to confirm immediately if friable asbestos has been released by the blaze and if so, to act urgently to make the hazardous site safe.
