Newstead's members support relocation to city’s first residential gated community

Newstead president Gary Norton said the proposition was met with overwhelming support when put to the 100-strong membership at the club’s recent annual general meeting.

“The consensus was that this is a very exciting proposal and will be truly unique not only in Australia but internationally because of the connection with a gated community,” Mr Norton said.

“Ninety-nine per cent of our members supported it.”

However, Mr Norton said the club would continue to pursue the option of locating on the northern side of the Emus rugby union clubhouse and fields in Woodward Street.

“We need to have an alternative plan in place,” he said.

Mr Norton said while the gated community project was in its early stages of negotiations, it is planned the developers will allocate land adjoining the gated community for bowling greens and a clubhouse.

“The proposal is that while our members would be able to access the facility there would be an exclusive part of the clubhouse for residents of the gated community,” Mr Norton said.

The Newstead clubhouse and bowling greens on the corner of Hill and Kite streets was sold to an Orange-based developer in August 2014 for $3 million, and Mr Norton said those funds would be used for the new development.

Mr Norton said the gated community proposal for Newstead to relocate will place it in a unique position to attract bowling tournaments from throughout the state and across Australia.

“Because it is so unique there is also an opportunity for us to attract international tournaments with a model like this,” Mr Norton said.

He said the club was not in a position at this stage to name the developer or the proposed location of the gated community.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au