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~Road Scholars~
[OZ] No smooth ride for Rebels' DA
Tue Nov 9, 2004 10:22pm
207.69.94.84
No smooth ride for Rebels' DA
Liz McCormick
Wednesday, 10 November 2004
The Merimbula Area Committee has questioned the truth of a development
application lodged by the Rebels Motorcycle Club for a gymnasium in Pambula's
Toalla Street industrial zone.
The committee is sceptical about the "real motives" of the indoor recreational
facility alleging its true nature is more likely to provide a venue for people
to kick on after the pubs have closed.
"The stragglers go there after the hotels close," it was said.
The development application, lodged by Darren Beasley, of Merimbula, on behalf
of the club describes the development as a recreation facility.
"The members require an indoor facility to meet and participate in indoor
recreation.
"This is the use of a fitness gymnasium and to enjoy other ancillary facilities
such as a pool table, TV/games lounge area and the like.
"The building is at the rear of No 7 Toalla Street and is accessed by a shared
laneway. It is fitted with a roller door allowing access to internal parking of
motorcycles," the DA stated.
A diagram accompanying the DA also shows a fridge for drinks and toilet.
The facility has been operating for some time and the DA would legitimise the
building's use.
MAC considered the nature of the building's use was somewhat unorthodox.
"The whole thing is strange," one member said.
Members questioned why motorbikes should be allowed in the building and said a
pool table was not normally part of a gym.
Cr Fraser Buchanan said, "the revving of motor bikes giving off carbon monoxide
can't be good when exercising".
The legality of the provision of alcohol from the premises was questioned.
But it was pointed out that like any other social club alcohol was available for
a donation.
However, the committee was concerned that the provision of alcohol to people
already "tanked" could cause "problematic" behaviour.
MAC secretary Ronda Lynch reported that a council planner had told her that only
one objection had been lodged against the proposal and that the police had no
objection to it.
MAC found the police support curious given their strong opposition to extended
trading hours for the Merimbula Sandbar Restaurant on the basis that it would
generate anti-social behaviour.
Regardless of the fact that the facility will be located in an industrial zone,
MAC gave the DA the thumbs down on the pretext of its location.
"We have concerns for residents in the nearby Pambula Caravan Park and
surrounding residential areas," the committee said.
It will recommend to the council that the DA should be refused.
Mr Beasley told the News Weekly he was disappointed that MAC had not supported
the DA.
He wished he had had the opportunity to address MAC to ease their concerns
because they were unfounded, he said.
Mr Beasley said the DA reflected accurately the intent of the use of the
clubhouse.
"We've been up front about this," Mr Beasley said.
He said the Rebels Motorcycle Club had clubhouses all over Australia with most
of them incident free.
"We have never had the police knock on the door and we have never had a
complaint since we set up in 2002," he said.
"The police are cool with it and they have inspected our premises."
Mr Beasley said the gymnasium was equipped with weights and punching bags. The
area for motorcycle parking provided a place where members could work on their
bikes, he said.
He said it was a conscious decision to locate the clubrooms in an industrial
area to avoid conflict with neighbours.
"We could have bought in a residential area but out of respect for the community
we chose a factory unit," Mr Beasley said.
"I wish I had been at the MAC meeting as I could have thrown out the
allegations.
"We don't claim to be boy scouts but we are a club that offers a lifestyle that
normal blokes enjoy in a law-abiding way.
"People have this wild perception of what we do which is highly exaggerated.
"Our clubhouse is run as a private party and is open probably only a couple of
nights a month.
"We keep a handle on the noise, keep our behaviour tidy and no-one under age is
served alcohol."
Mr Beasley explained that the local Rebels needed a clubhouse to be sanctioned
as a chapter.
