MEDIA RELEASE: 10 December 2012

The Mayor of Leichhardt, Darcy Byrne, should practise what he preaches and listen to the more than 4,700 Balmain Tigers fans who have asked the NSW Department of Planning to return their club to Rozelle, interim CEO Danny Munk said today.

The Mayor of Leichhardt is quoted in today’s Daily Telegraph criticizing the NSW Government’s stadium strategy, which could adversely affect Leichhardt Oval.

Cr Byrne said: “The Government, NRL and Wests Tigers need to listen to what the fans want and ensure that this famous ground is not abandoned” (emphasis added).

Mr  Munk said the mayor should listen to the 4,748 members who made submissions of support for the redevelopment of the Balmain Tigers club site in Rozelle, hand-delivered today to the NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure by club legend, Paul Sironen.

“We agree with Councillor Byrne that governments should listen to what voters want,” Mr Munk said.

“So we respectfully ask the Mayor to listen to the thousands of Balmain members, many of whom are locals, who understand the only way their club can survive is if the Rozelle Village development on Victoria Road gets the go ahead.

“Cr Byrne should throw his support behind the Tigers’ campaign to return to Rozelle.”

Mr Munk said the club appreciated local residents’ concerns but asked them to consider the many benefits of the Rozelle Village development, of which the Tigers would be a tenant.

“The supporters of Balmain, club members, and local residents are entitled to have a leagues club to use for social activities and recreation; they are entitled to have access to a range of retail outlets, childcare facilities and a major supermarket that will deliver greater choice to the inner-west,” he said.

“We were forced to leave the site to make way for the planned North West Metro rail link, which was subsequently cancelled.”

In 2008, the Tigers commenced a relationship with Reed Construction on the Rozelle development, which was to be funded by Lehman Brothers. Prior to the final sign off, the Global Financial Crisis hit.

“We had run out of options but at the last moment Rozelle Village offered us a lifeline,” Mr Munk said.

For further information contact

Michelle Nielsen  0414 442 218

Media Release 20th November 2012

Balmain Leagues Club interim Chief Executive, Danny Munk, today rejected moves by the Leichhardt Council to have the ICAC investigate the club’s Rozelle redevelopment.

A public meeting on Monday night supported a move by Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne to ask the ICAC to examine the “relationships” between the Rozelle Village development proposal, including the role played by former State MP Eddie Obeid.

“The leadership of Balmain Leagues Club has met with many dozens of politicians from both sides of politics over the past eight years,” Mr Munk said.

“We have met with Premiers, backbenchers, local members, planning ministers and shadow ministers and many others from many electorates who have an interest in planning, development and rugby league.

“To suggest that there is something underhand is going on is offensive and unfair.”

Mr Munk again called on Leichhardt Council to get behind the project, which will deliver hundreds of jobs to the local area, and desperately needed facilities, including childcare services.

“The Balmain Tigers has been part of the local community for over 100 years and we want to be part of it for another 100 years,” Mr Munk said

“That’s what Leichhardt Council should be focused on. Not on some spurious allegation that Mr Obeid may have been involved.

“If Leichhardt Council had done its job properly this matter could have been approved and well under construction by now.

“The supporters of Balmain, club members, and local residents are entitled to have a leagues club to use for social activities and recreation; they are entitled to have access to a range of retail outlets and a major supermarket that will deliver greater choice to the inner-west.

“The Balmain Leagues Club is part of the local history and community fabric. That’s what we are trying to preserve.

“I believe it is possible politicians and councillors from all sides of the political spectrum to come together and get this development done for the sake of the community,” Mr Munk said.

ENDS

For further information contact Danny Munk | 0412 053 873

Download a pdf of the media release: No need to refer Tigers redevelopment to watchdog