Council’s Planning Committee has granted an extension of the City of Geelong Bowls Club’s playing and opening hours, enabling the club to expand its competition and social bowls offering.
During a meeting on Monday afternoon, the committee voted unanimously to amend the club’s permit to allow:
- Play on the bowling greens between 7am and 11pm;
- Use of the clubrooms between 7am and midnight; and
- Sale of liquor between 10am and midnight.
The existing permit had allowed the bowling greens and clubhouse to operate between 10am and 10pm. Consumption of alcohol on the greens will remain limited to 8pm.
To address concerns raised in submissions responding to the proposed amendment, the permit has been granted with conditions aimed at minimising noise and light spill, including:
- Installation of a ‘noise limiter’ with cut out for exceedance of accepted amplified music levels;
- All external doors and windows of the clubrooms must be closed after 10pm, except to allow entry to and exit from the building; and
- A review of external lighting after six months to ensure it is complying with necessary standards.
In making its application, the club noted that the extended opening hours would allow it to offer a wider range of competitive and social bowls opportunities, and create added flexibility for Bowls Victoria in scheduling fixtures at the venue.
The amendment will also allow the club more time to carry out planned landscaping changes.
The Planning Committee was chaired by Cr Trent Sullivan and made up of councillors Peter Murrihy, Sarah Mansfield, Bruce Harwood, Pat Murnane and Jim Mason.
Councillor Trent Sullivan, Chair, Planning Committee:
The Planning Committee unanimously felt that the extended playing and trading hours would have a significant benefit for the bowls club.
The extended hours are comparable to other facilities in the region and will be put in place with conditions to minimise noise.
Councillor Peter Murrihy, Brownbill Ward:
This club is an asset to the local area and provides an important sporting and social outlet for its members and visitors. As we come out of the COVID-19 restrictions we can’t place a value on the benefit clubs like this offer the community.
The increased operating hours will help the club grow its membership base and generate additional income to keep it financially viable. The Planning Committee felt this aim was worthy of support.
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