According to the planning proposal, developers wanted to rezone the site on the corner of Hill and Kite streets from residential to mixed use to make it easier to redevelop the historic homestead into a restaurant, bar, office spaces or boutique shops. 

At last Tuesday’s meeting, councillors voted to send the rezoning proposal to the Department of Planning and Environment for a recommendation.

The proposal outlines plans to divide the 8300-square metre property into two lots, with the bowling greens to be turned into town-house style accommodation.

Newstead Bowling Club members sold their clubhouse, which they had inhabited for almost 60 years, in August last year after dwindling patronage forced the club to act before it was too late.

Newstead chairman Gary Norton said he and fellow members were happy with the assessment process.

“It is in line with our understanding of the process that we were told of when we sold the property. These processes are there to make sure everything happens in due course, and it is certainly of no concern to us as the previous owners,” Mr Norton said.

He said members were “rather excited” about the developer’s wishes to refurbish the historic homestead and restore it to its former glory.

“As a restaurant, if it was to be turned into one, it would not be like any other restaurant in town. You’d have an ambience you would not get anywhere else,” he said.

He said he believed the proposed use of the site would fit in well with the character of the surrounding area, which is a mixture of housing and offices. 

Once the proposal comes back from the Department of Planning and Environment, council will put the planning proposal on display for public submission.