Private Bondi Waterfront for only $500 per year!!!!!
This story starts on the Picturesque rocks of North Bondi. A lovely place to be on a summers day, and also home to the Ben Buckler Amateur Fisherman's club.Most People who have ever walked along the rocks of North Bondi would have probably noticed this Club as they ambled happily over the Rocks on one of those beautiful sunny summer days. Not far passed the north bondi rock pool tucked behind the famous Flat Rock at North Bondi is the Ben Buckler Fishing Club more commonly know as "the boatshed" because it is little more.
A small formed boatramp leads up from the rocks to the intriguing "boatshed" a modest building surrounded by the smal tinnies of the members.
As a child I was always intrigued by this shed, partly due to my love of fishing and partly due the mystique in that it seemed the exception rather than the rule that anyone ever went out on these boats and even though i was a member of North Bondi SLSC for many years and spent many days swimming, fishing and playing down the North end of Bondi. I never did seem to meet anyone who was actually a member of the Club and I only very rarely actually saw a boat go out.
One day, many years later after I had grown up, I decided to ask some of the members sitting in the Club about how one would go about joining the Club.
I was giving a very blunt reply "Private Club mate." I decided to try to find some contact details for the club to try and speak to someone in more Authority but the only phone number that i could find for them had been disconnected years ago.
As i thought "the Boatshed" was on Private premises, i assumed that it was their decision to have a private club and that they were very lucky to own a Property on the absolute Bondi Waterfront. Very Lucky Indeed.
By all accounts, I thought that was the end of this story and it was for quite a while, until i cam accross a piece of valuable information.
The information i came accross seemed to imply that the club was actually owned by waverley council.
I found this intiguing because it got me thinking. On what grounds does this club run and exclusive private club on essentially public community land.
I inquired with Waverley Council if this was indeed their property and if so, on what grounds did this club have exclusive private access to this Club???
This is where the story gets really interesting!!!!
I was informed that the property was in fact a Crown Reserve and the Council was a Trustee!! The council leased the property to the Club for their private use and had no say in Membership.
I thought that if they leased this public reserve to the fishing club I would like to know what terms they had in their lease.
The reason for this was simple. If they were given community land for their own private use which served no benefit or use to the wider community I wanted to make sure that council was getting a decent return for that Property. especially considering it's prime waterfront location.
At first council would not provide me with a copy of the Lease, they said I had to apply in writing and pay a fee of around $50.
As this was clearly not the case, i informed the contact at council that i did not have to either pay for nor put in a written application for this information. I informed her that under the GIPA act 2009, she was obliged to provide me with this information promptly without anything further required on my part. I informed her that if i was not provided with this information i would report her to the informatioon commissioner.
I was soon informed i was correct and did not have to pay any fee for this information like was initially incorrectly stated by the Senior Council Manager.
I was promptly provided with a copy of the Lease for the premises of the fishing club and oh boy did i get a suprise.
I was told that their current Lease started in 1977 and expired in 1997. For some unexplained reason their current lease had been on hold over for 13 years after it initially ceased. BUT....
But...that wasn't even the most interesting thing. When i saw the rent the club paid to council i was pretty shocked! in 1977 there Rent was $100 per year!!! rising 5% a year!!!!!
As the lease had effectively ended in 1997 (as this is the year State government approval ended and effectively needed the year the lease should have been reviewed)rental calculations effectively ended that year. I was informed though by council that the club had been on hold-over for the past 13 years and the 5% per annum increase to rent had continued. By my calculations there current rent in 2010 was $500 per year for this exeptional piece of prime Bondi Waterfront! as their lease or rent had effectively not been reviewed for over 30 years!
Once I had gone through the Lease agreement (which I can noiw see why council did not want to provide this easily) I decided to ask if what I had thought was correct. I aksed if my calculations were correct that the club paid a paltry $500 per year to council for this property and why they had such cheap rent???
They informed me that the rent was so cheap because it was a community facility!?!?!?! The council representative then had the audacity to compare it to the Pavilion!!!!!
I informed the council that the fishing club was not a community facility anything like that of the pavilion.
For one, community groups and residents all have access to the Pavilion. The fishing club is a private club and they can reject any member without giving a reason....Also the club disconnected it's only telephone number. This has essentially made the club uncontactable as this is their only phone number in publications such as white pages, club list etc.
How is this club part of the community if they are in no way contactable and do not accept new members or only members of there choosing.
I find it quite rude that the council try to justify the extremely low rent on the same grounds as the pavilion when the use of the fishing club is quite exclusive private in nature.
I also asked why they have been on a Hold-Over Lease for 13 years.
Still, to this day, Waverley Council has refused to answer whatsoever why this lease has not been reviewed in the 13 years since it ended.
What makes me even more angry is that the department of Lands states that a holdover lease should go no longer than 12 months after it end date. Clearly 13 years is quite a breach of this yet it does not seem to be of great concern to anyone at the council. As council will admit it is important they make as much money wherever they can?? why on earth hasn't someone reveiwed this in some way since it expired 13 years ago??? either review the appropriatenss of the current lease for renewal or put the property to tender this is what the Department of Land state to do so I really think due to the already considerable delay this should be a priiority.
That council did neither of these options and totally has disregarded The Department of Lands 12 Month period is quite astonishing.
Also because this is a crown reserve, any lease needs state government approval which should have been sent for reapproval when the current state government lease agreement expired in 1997.
This lease has continued for 13 years after it's original 20 years expired. 12 years longer than the Department of Lands reccomends and all the time i try to inform either the Mayor, Councillors, or the relevent council management, i am lucky to get more than a three or four word response.
After informing the Council several times over several months that having a hold-over lease on Crown Land for more than a decade after The Department of Lands recommended Period of 12 months is far from an ideal situation.
I came to the opinion after a few months that if the Council has failed to act for this long, they are not going to act anytime soon on this matter and they are going to ignore me which i think is frankly disgusting.
My last questions to the council on the matter is this...
* If council is going to rent this community property to a club for well under market value, shouldn't council in some way make sure this club is in some way contactable by the community and that there is transparent information available to any resident on how the club operates how they may join etc. I think this should be the absolute bare minimum to justify this as a community facility.
* this club is currently the only waverley community facility that does not have contact details or is open to the community at large.
* if club wants to continue in it's present form as an exlusive private club. They should pay commercial rates for the property.
* Can council please confirm that it does take note of the Department of Lands information relating to Leasing of Crown Land. Can Council give a genuine answer why holdover lease has continued for 12 years longer than the Department of Lands Recomends.
* Can council please give a genuine reason why this lease sent back to state government when current state government signed approval expired in 1997???
* Can council explain if this was a genuine oversight and if so how did this oversight occur with our amount of staff compared to other councils???


Comments
John Doorey posts
This is BS, I always assumed it was open to the public !!!! No one should have any right of exclusivity over Council owned land. WHO at Council allows this scam to continue.. Kick these scammers out and start a new club.
Aladin83 posts
The whole councile unfortunately.....can u beleive they get the whole thing for the bargain basement of $500 per year..... I am pretty sure you could nearly get that per boat..... And who are they to say who can and who can't join the club, i do not see how this is fair on other residents like me who 1.would use the facilities! 2.would be happy to share with one and all! 3.would be willing to be an active part of the community. The bright side to this is that sooner rather than later our pathetic council will be forced to act because i have exposed that the lease is well out of date. Because it is located on Crown Reserve, Local Council cannot approve anything without it being signed of be the effective state minister. All Waverley council can do is delay, and they seem good at that...but the longer they delay this the more incompetent they show themselves to be...
Jacko posts
I'm sure we could get a bunch of guys together (and girls!) who would be happy to run the club as a true community fishing club. It is a community asset and should not be for the exclusive use of a few members who somehow - does any one know how? - got themselves in the lucky position of being a member. I've seen the guys down there. I never see them fishing. It would have to be Sydney best club house. Throw open the doors. Council should tender the joint.
Hall Street posts
Jacko, I agree. Aladin, the thing I would add is that I don't think the rent is the key issue. The key is that it is not right nor proper that a private club should be given a lease to a prime waterfront site for 40 years at a peppercorn rent without any ability for others to have the same opportunity. That is not on. If Council wants to keep it as a Fishing Club that is fine, but it should go out to tender every 10 or so years and now is the right time to start a proper process, if Aladin is right and the exisiting Club has run an exclusive club for 40 years on the site and the general public have had no access. If the people who run the exisiting club win the tender then that is fine, but at least others can present what kind of Fishing Club they would run on the site and rent they would pay and Council could then make an assessment on it's merits not like they have been. Proper process and transparency, that's what we need. Have you written to the Councillors on this?
Aladin83 posts
Guys, I have gathered lots of evidence in my investigations. Some of it is even more unbelievable than you would think. Check out this article, it is from 1977. http://news.google.com.au/newspapers?id=... In the article the Secretary states under club constitution the committee can reject any application to join without explanation From the article it almost sounds like he's boasting about this fact. How did council give these guys a lease on crown reserve (community land) for $100 a year and then let them turn around and boast to the paper about how they can pretty much discriminate against whoever they want for whatever they want.??? Also when the club got its 20 year lease in 1977 one of the founding members was an ex Labor Mayor from a few years earlier. The current Mayor had to sign off on the lease, who was also labor at the time, and most importantly, the State Minister for Local Government had to sign off on the Lease as well due to it being located on a Crown Reserve. Oh and guess what, also Labor......probably made the whole thing whizz right through! I even have a copy of the original Lease proposal by the President of the club. It is pretty much two lines...."We want a new lease, 20 years sounds about right...." would you believe that not only did Council accept that two line proposal for the lease, they sent his two lines to the Council Lawyer who turned his two lines into two pages and sent it off to the State Minister for approval seconded and prepared by the Council Legal rep. Would you believe that one of the reasons that the council recommends the State Minister approve the lease is because "from time to time members carry out rescues in their boats!!!" This is actually one of the main reasons council recommends the state minister approve the lease!! How comical!! Those guys are never there to rescue people! It would take them ages to get their boat in the water anyway! they would have already drown!!! Maybe 50 years ago these old geezers maybe rescued someone but not in decades! we have paid lifeguards now. That this is still a main reason their lease got approved in 1977 and has not been reviewed since is verging on ridiculous!
Fish Envy posts
Talk about having it good!!!! Who do I have to marry to get into the club. I'm single, live in Bondi and I love to fish!
MortADella posts
Definitely something fishy here....
Aladin83 posts
I have also heard people pay quite a bit a year to be Members and keep their boats there. Now this could be totally rumors but if it is true, the Clubs committee could possibly be making money of the property if they are charging Membership fees over this measly $500. If the club was profiting from a setup like this, which they possibly could be....it would fly in the face of the council providing cheap rent because it is for a not for profit use, that would definitely start looking like a commercial business to me.... But that's just it, it is a community facility, most of the members probably left the Waverley area decades ago.
Aladin83 posts
Details for the Club are listed as; BEN BUCKLER AMATEUR FISHERMANS CLUB 113 RAMSGATE AVENUE BONDI BEACH 2026 02 9130 3455 If you ring the phone number, you will notice it has been disconnected, it has been that way for years.... After i found out the club was owned by Council I asked them for some contact details. they provided me with this; President, Peter Roachers 9130 3455......I informed Council that the number they gave me was the disconnected number I already had......this number being disconnected was the reason i was enquiring with them....... Then FINALLY they came back with the Presidents Correct name and his MOBILE phone number! The funny thing is, it took them two goes and they acted like they were doing me a favour!!! Even though i finally got his Correct name and phone number, my issue is: 1. how does a normal Waverley resident establish this is a council property??? 2. if they can't establish it is Council property how the hell are they going to get the number of the President of the club???? 3. even if they do somehow establish it is owned by council. The first number they gave me was the disconnected number i already had! and they spelt his name entirely wrong!
Aladin83 posts
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Aladin83 posts
I would like to apologise for my comments earlier. I was in an emotional state and said some insulting comments that i would like to apologise for. I was emotional at the time and I realise my comments were inappropriate and not conducive to a constructive debate on the above topic. I think it is easy for people to offer kind words but I would just like to thank Dominic for the small but significant action that he took on my part by placing questions of mine on the Agenda for councils next meeting. This is a lot more than any of my other ward Councillors did or offered to do and at the end of the day I am sure that having these questions of mine addressed in the appropriate forum will be all that is needed to allay my valid concerns about the current situation.
NBLocal posts
Sounds to me like you have an axe to grind, has someone in the club done the wrong thing by you or are you just another winging unaccepted member of the public?. The club is like many clubs around the country with limited space. Im sure if you turned up at a meeting like all other people interested in being a member you could become one.There is a long waiting list for boat spaces and even longer for locker space. This is simply how it is with many clubs that have limited space. I haven't even read all your comments and it seems you are the only one commenting but I can certainly tell that I wouldnt want you on any team Im involved in thats for sure, still I would welcome you to join me for a beer at the RATs anytime to discuss your views and tell you how it is.I dont expect you to take me up on this offer as you seem to be a gutless wimp that hides behind a private email etc. The club is a great and very old club with much tradition , I have been a member all my life and my father before me. Its been part of my life and it really upsets me that you can put so much crap on us without real reason other than jealousy or revenge of some sort. We have always welcomed new members but as mentioned we only have a small club house that can only hold so much gear. Oh and by the way I have rescued several people , some of who would have certainly drowned if I hadn't been there. help help
Aladin83 posts
Nobody has done anything wrong by me at this Club whatsoever. My views are clearly explained and a lot of the community share my concerns. How are residents of Waverley supposed to contact this club to find out information such as waiting lists, membership and to be honest any information about this club whatsoever???? As a member of this Club i am very interested in your views.... There are many clubs as you say all over Australia, not all these clubs are located on Public Reserves, most of these clubs are easily contactable and i don't think to many would come with leases that expired decades ago.... most clubs also have some form of contact that is available to the public, e.g. email, telephone. You say the club welcomes new members but the Club has no contact phone number, and it is the only Community facility owned by the Council that doesn't have a phone number or website. I don't know how anyone would consider this welcoming???? I have also inquired with people at the club about joining and was informed it was a private club and that i couldn't join. I was not informed either at this time by the people i spoke with that this was a council owned facility or that there was a waiting list i could join. In this day and age not having a connected telephone or any information available to the public doesn't seem very welcoming to new members. Also as these facilities are limited perhaps council should look at increasing the rent for a facility that's use is so sought after within the community. I am sure you would agree that if the club only has to pay $500 per year to council, individually you must pay very little. Some people I suspect keep their boat there and use it little if at all, simply because the cost of keeping their boat there in negligible. This could mean someone is keeping a spot and not using it at the expense of a community member who may use it regurlarly if there was the opportunity. Clearly from this example you can see how if demand is so high and there are indeed waiting lists as you say a raise in rent would better reflect the demand, it would stop people renewing there membership for something they rarely use. And force people not using there position to make it available to someone who will as the costs would better reflect this. Also, how do we know that individual members do not rent out there boat or boat spot to non-members. High demand would cause this to at least be more appealing to some people, even though it would be against current lease agreement. I would also like to inform you that you did not inherit the right to this property from your father. If this is as I feel a private club where membership is handed from father to son. I really feel that $500 per year is ridiculously undervalued. If you inherit your spot here, surely you should pay something more like $500 per boat per year, i think this sounds like it would be a better price for such a limited community resource. The club pays a very minimal rent to council of $500 per year. Frankly for this rate for you to claim to have inherited the right to the use this Public Reserve over other Members of the Community is frankly ridiculous and disrespectful to other community members. your father did not buy this property, he rented it and for a very reasonable rate indeed. I do not see why this should provide you with ongoing right over other people? I am fairly sure there are no Squatters Laws or anything like that anymore...... Surely you would even agree that council should at least review the rent in line with todays rates as the current rate was originally evaluated in 1977. I think that paying a rate of rent that hasn't been reviewed by council in over 30 years is quite generous by anyones standards.. If i was a gutless wimp I don't think I would write an article on this subject and also contact council and force them to take action on this matter. Also if the Club was so welcoming I do not think i would ever have bothered going to so much effort to gain information on the lease agreement of this club..... I only continued my investigation due to the Club being private and unwelcoming yet finding out that the club may be private but it is located on Council property. This lead me to question on what grounds your Club had exclusive access to this property...the more i investigated the more questions that seemed to arise... Frankly with the cozy set up you guys have up there.....I don't think a gutless wimp would dare try to Challenge the current set up you guys have. I think gutless people are the ones who probably wouldn't bring attention to themselves by exposing this.... People have actually congratulated me for bringing this to the Media.....hardly a gutless thing to do.... To expose all this and question how your Club is currently operating obviously won't bring me supporters within your club. But it definitely isn't gutless to question you guys. I think it takes guts to stand up to this current situation and expose it and i think a lot of people would agree.
NBLocal2 posts
Aladin83 - who upset you? It is clear that you are angry with the club - where you previously a member, and asked to leave for disrespecting club property and rules? If you were a true local of Bondi, you would know all about the fishing club as mentioned by NBLocal above. There have been many rescues performed by members of this fishing club (don't you watch Bondi Rescue and the guy who was rescued after falling off the cliffs??)and boats DO go out from the fishing club on a regular basis - ie: DAILY!!! Most members of this club are local, hardworking people who DO support their local community - as has always been the case. So before making any further negative and false statements about the club and the lack of use etc, perhaps do some further research...!
Aladin83 posts
Umm, I have actually done extensive research. I have lived in Bondi my entire Life and a lot of people do not know all about the fishing club. I would say only people who have parents, grandparents etc who grew up here that would perhaps have some idea of the club. I have spoken to numerous people about this and most people do not know anything about it. As I have stated numerous times! The Club does not even have a phone number or any contact details easily locatable to the everyday resident. Please tell me other than rocking up to the club when people are there (which is what i did) how else would someone go about contacting the club????? I am not saying that nobody has ever done a rescue in their boat. But to say that this is providing some benefit when we have lifeguards that are well trained and equiped is pretty ridiculous. I have surfed all my life and been a Member of my Surf Life Saving Club. I have rescued numerous people from the surf however i do not see how this is a vital service i am providing next to what the lifeguards do. I think you misunderstood my point. In the original lease application this is a main point council uses to justify the clubs lease. I do not see how the club can somehow justify its low rent because it provides some rescue service to the community???? As for Boats going out Daily.....I was not born yesterday, I have swum, fished and hung out on North Bondi Rocks on an almost daily basis for over two decades... First off, the weather isn't appropriate Daily to go fishing from this spot, and for everyone else who visits the beach regurarly i will let them make up there own minds on how regurarly these facilities are used. I do not deny in anyway that most members are good hardworking local people. I am sure they are. I am sure there are good hard working honest people that would like to be members to. Because of this, I feel that it is important that council makes sure limited community resources are distributed as fairly as possible and that council can make as much revenue from it's limited resources as possible. Renting limited resources out for so little at the expense of some of the community over another does not seem like the fairest thing to do. I am not denying at one stage it this club seemed more engaged with the community. My opinion is that since their current lease expired in 1997 the club is probably not as involved in the community as it once was. The clubs lease should be reviewed, renewed or put to tender as this is regulation imposed by the Department of Lands to Crown Reserves when lease expires. And my main concern wasn't the clubs lack of use. It is actually the clubs lack of contact details for Members of the community... I have not provided any false information. For any facts i state i have proof. For any opinions i have, are merely opinions and an opinion can't be false.....
NBLocal posts
Fair dinkum aladin surely you got beaten up at school and now that the internet exists your trying to get even , Pull your head in before someone else does
franktheredneck posts
aladin83 did someone kick your sandcastle over. I'm am not a member of North Bondi. The fishing is really good at Lithgow as is the Jail and the explosives Factory. I suggest you move there!
Bondi Ben posts
Aladin83 might be emotional but he makes some good points. NBLocal you should not be telling him to pull his head in, before someone else does. What is that? Is that a threat? Aladin has revealed that this Club has been shroaded in secrecy and are you now threatening him? I don't fish but I think the spotlight on this is a good thing. It is all very well for you NBLocal that you get to use the Club like your father before you but you have what is called in the business a conflict of interest in this as you are the one who's got the vested interest in keeping the Club to yourself. If like you say people really can join the Club, would you let us know how they can do this? Or is it a priveledge handed from father to son? Is that how you got to be a member?
Aladin83 posts
I am sorry that you don't agree with my views.... If i had a cozy relationship where i rented a piece of prime bondi waterfront for virtually nothing...... I would probably be upset that someone found out and exposed it too.... But then i'd realise that it's not mine and fair's fair I'd have to share..... Sorry to ruin the party and actually force you guys to realise you don't own this property and best case scenario is you will probs get a huge rise in rent......
Bondi Ben posts
ps NBLocal, I've also rescued people close to drowning off the rocks. It's just the decent thing to do and many locals do their bit for the community and we don't go looking for a handout or subsidy because of it.
Aladin83 posts
Best case scenario would be a club that people could easily contact and make enquiries.....really not to much to ask for a club on Community Land thats had minimal rent for over 30 years.....
NBLocal posts
Ive had enough of you all and will take a rest now as i have a life. I have not made a threat but stand by what I have said . Hopefully we can all catch up soon. If you have any substance you will make the effort. before I go if you would like to borrow my boat and see how hard it is to do what we do or if you would like to have contact with people that would be dead if I hadnt been fishing the particular day then let me know. Out FOR NOW
Aladin83 posts
NB Local, I have my own tinnie, I launch it from Rose Bay and I go outside the heads.... I know how ti fish mate :-) There are people that have no idea how to fish, I am sure they wouldn't mind learning though.... I don't see how these people due to there limited skills should be discriminated against... I remember when i first learnt to fish...we were all beginners once and some of us probably had access to experience and advice more than others.... Obviously your point is that you are a big tough man who doesn't vomit when everyone else would!?!? Somehow this gives you the right to Government property more than other people who would vomit and have smaller balls than you....? How old r u?
Bondi Ben posts
Aladin you sound very reasonable but given NBLocal's point re limited spots and what a cracker location they have, I wouldn't go holding your breath for a membership. My guess is that they "keep it in the family", NBLocal am I wrong? On reflection given demand for membership at the club will always outstrip supply, Council could hold a ballot once a year for Membership. I've seen this done by Council's in lots of places for things like this. That would be fair unlike now which is just giving something incredible to a handful of people. Or as others have suggested, go out to tender.
Aladin83 posts
Frankly, someone had to get there Tinnie out there first mate it doesn't look easy mate but it's not rocket science... I can see it ain't the easiest Launch spot but I am pretty capable and I have launched Boats off just as, if not more difficult ramps up north.... Just because this spot takes some local knowledge and decent boating skills, I do not see how this should make it a reason not to allow new people into the club as you seem to be implying. I am pretty sure not everyone in your club would be as abusive and arrogant as you and I am sure there are people at your club who would happily pass on their knowledge to fellow enthusiasts with the right attitude. I wouldn't mind probably going fishing with some of these types..... As for your offer i like fishing with relaxing easy going people. You seem very abusive and arrogant so i think i'll have to pass.....
Aladin83 posts
Bondi Ben, The thing is, their Lease ended in 1997 so the property should have been reviewed for current use and put to open tender. From all my campaigning in regards to this matter, it has actually finally been put on the Agenda for Councils next meeting. What this means is sooner rather than later this Lease will be reviewed. I can pretty much guarantee that if the Club even does get a renewed lease, it will absolutely not be on as favourable terms as they are currently on. Also there will be an open review and stakeholders are able to express their views while the review is taking place. As the property is on a Crown Reserve. Department of Lands is partly responsible for it's care. Department of Lands state that a Lease should not continue for more than 12 months on hold-over. As the council have stated that the Lease has been on hold-over for 13 years, one of my main questions to Council was why wasn't this Lease reviewed when the current Lease expired 13 years ago as this is a direction by the Department of Lands. To date I have received no answer why this Department of Lands Directive was not followed. This essentially worries me as this Lease has continued for over a decade. Essentially this leads me to believe their is no Automatic review system in place within the Council for when leases expire. This means that for any number of reasons, Council Lease could go well over their finish date, therefore not making properties available for tender that ought to be, and therefore keeping less than optimal arrangements in place that may also be on holdover longer than the 12 month allowable period. If things like this are being overlooked by council for decades even with there large amount of staff, i makes me think what other directives or issues are the council avoiding or neglecting either deliberately or not.
Bondi Ben posts
Good luck at the Council meeting still reckon a ballot for membership is the way to go. That would at least open it up to other fishermen. It's not currently a community fishing club, it's a private fishing club and it seems very exclusive fishing club at that.
BirdsEYE posts
NBLocal, rightly or wrongly Aladin is entitled to ask the question, and shouldnt be berated by school boy bully tactics. I am a member of the North Bondi Surf Club and anyone can join that gets their bronze medallion. Its not exclusive. There are plenty of exclusive clubs where you can stipulate who can and cant join, but not on Council land when you pay next to nothing for your blood family membership. Clearly Aladin83 is keen to join but was prevented to hence why you have put him off side. Its ok to disagree but dont try and put him down by saying his got some vendetta against your club. The club can write a story on their own version of how the membership works and respond to the questions posed by Aladin83. These websites are about the community having democratic discussions, and the freedom to publish stories.
Aladin83 posts
A ballot would be fair. If there was a ballot i think the council could justify renting it at a low price as a community facility. Another option would be for the Club to be forced to have contact details and be transperent to the Public, i think this would be the bare minimum for it to be classed as a community facilty. Currently the Club has no contact details whatsoever for people who are not Members or at least associates of Members. This cannot be classed as a community facility in its current state and i would say it is a private club, as a private uncontactable club it is not open or contactable to the community and therfore should not be given community rates I would have the same opinion of any club and this is based purely on the factual evidence not any personal feelings or ill-will i have towards this specific club. As a private club not open or contactable by the community i believe the should have to pay commercial rates as any other exclusive private group would in the same circumstance.
Dragan posts
Can't help but butt in on this but how does a phone number for the Club help us exactly? It changes nothing. Then it's a private fishing club with a phone number. So how does that give us a look in? But I like the ballot idea.
Aladin83 posts
I didn't just mean a phone number. According to the Member above he implies that the club welcomes all new members as long as there is space. The only downfall in their argument is if what they say is true, the club would still have there phone connected. I am sure they probably disconnected the phone so they would not have to deal with new member inquiries anymore as it seems like an exclusive club that they have tried to keep to themselves and I do not think they have been eager for the public to know that the property is owned by the council, that there lease has expired and that they pay little rent. I am sure they want everyone to think like i originally did that it is a private premises....people wont question this...it was only by chance i found out... If this is all true, which i doubt, it would mean that the club is open to the public i guess. The phone number would be taking into account what they say about the club is essentially true, however the low rent i still feel does not encourage non-active members to move on in place of active ones.
Maj posts
Fascinating story -- unfortunately all too reminiscent of the mates and boys macho drinking clubs that dominate the power structures in this area -- the footy clubs, surf clubs and fishing clubs. They like to have things their own way and try to bully people who don't agree with them.
Aladin83 posts
I think it is funny that those guys accussed me of having some vendetta against the Club.... I have to admit NBlocal probably isn't the best representative for this Club however surely he can see the objective nature of my argument. By all means I have not meant this to be a personal attack on Members of this Club in anyway. I am sure that all Members of this Club are all good decent people. My argument is just about the use of Council property and how to best use these resources while taking into account how to do this while serving as many community members as possible and also make us much revenue for council as possible.
Aladin83 posts
1. The Club does not own the property. 2. The Club does not provide any beneficial services to public such that the Surf Life Saving Clubs do. 3. As Council owned land, why should it only be available to such a small proportion of the Community, when they pay so little rent for this privilege?
fishcake posts
Hi guys I am a member of the Bondi Fishing Club and it has taken me 15 years to get a boat spot.I have lived in Bondi my whole life and it just takes time because there are a limited number of boat spots. If you are keen fishermen there are other clubs at Gordens Bay, Coogee and Malabar. Coogee is the Club I started at and is probably the easier place to get a boat spot as it takes a lot of effort to launch there. Rather than trying to alienate everyone why not just try introducing yourself to the members as you see them down there,thats how I went about it.
Francesco posts
Hello Everyone I am a member of the Amateur Fishing Club. After introducing myself to the club members I have come to know them well and formed many great friendships. I myself am of Italian decent and you will find many other club members of different cultures Aladdin 83. Also for the record even if you find yourself to be in an emotional state, I do not appreciate been called a “greaser” and further more I haven’t moved on from the Suburb of Bondi Beach where I was born and brought up. You described the club as being a private and exclusive fishing club, however the club actually consists of a modest shed dating back longer than you and I. This club is primarily for members to be able to store fishing gear and boat equipment. The size and space of this fishing club is rather small with limited spots available for boats. I have now been a member for over 2 years and am still one of many on the waiting list for a boat spot. If anyone would like to discuss this further they are welcome at the club anytime. Cheers.
Aladin83 posts
I'm not trying to alienate anyone let alone everyone. I was actually trying to encourage everyone who has an interest or opinion on this matter to participate, that is all. If you read my article you would see that I have tried to Introduce myself at the Club and make some enquiries. I totally understand that is how you first became involved in the Club but i do beleive there should be other avenue such as contact details and perhaps even some information readily available to the Public perhaps through Council. As you have stated it has taken you 15 years to get a Boat spot. How do we know that there is fair and equitable distibution as there is obviously no visibilty to the wider community about how Membership is decided and who qualifies for a spot. It seems that it is up to the Club to make these decisions at to who can be Members, who qualifies for a spot etc. For all this control over a Council Property the property should be put to tender so the Council can earn decent revenue from this asset.
Aladin83 posts
It is irrelevent how long the Club has been there. The Club is a Council Property. It does not own the property and therfore has no legal right to occupy it indefinately. If I rent a property, when the lease is finished, you have the power to reenegotiate the leae with the Tenant. I have never called for this Club to be removed or anything like that. All I have asked mainly is that the Lease be reviewed by the Council because it expired 13 years ago. This is something I thought the Club would want as a new Lease would give you some certainty. The second thing is that as this Club is on Council property and is paying minimal rent as a Council facility it should have some contact details for the wider community to have some way of contacting the club to make inquiries. I do not think that these are outrageous things to say and I do not see why current Members would disagree with any of these things???
BondiBill posts
As many Members seem to have stated. There seems to be a very long waiting list for spots at this Club. As has been stated before if Council was to Increse rental price, it would force Members who do not use their Boats regularly to move on to people that would. Surely this is better than people waiting years and years for a spot someone is just keeping because the cost is so low. Council seems to apply this same principal to parking. Essential to get a more efficient use of Transport and also increase revenue for Council. I think it would be sound to apply this principal to our limited council assets as well.
The Walls Have Ears! posts
Aladin Please be consistant, are you going after? Gordons Bay fishing Club - Randwick Council Coogee Beach Fishing Club - Randwick Council Malabar Fishing Club - Randwick Council Ben Buckler- Waverley Council History, Pride and locals who love their area and there small but modest clubs. People with the ability to write exceptionally well, such as yourself need to focus on the true issues of the area, such as the state of the streets with weeds growing everywhere, street closures, dumped rubbish, the social frame work of a suburb now that is decreasing its sensitivity to the old days. Remember saying hi in the street, Going up the road to Jims milk bar or the Pappas run deli that are both gone now at the terminus, or playing down at Vallis pinball shop and getting a pie at the Flying Pie man, when you have destroyed this club and its members, I hope you will be happy that you have achieved your objective, shame , shame, shame What do you want to actually happen, a development for another coffee shop at the boatshed. Some points you raise are valid, but take on the bigger issues at Council, why dont you run as a Councillor and have this on your platform for change. PS: Its a small world and you would be amazed who actually knows you, how dare you publicy publish a Private mobile number of a president on a forum page, which is not even a registered number for the club!! Please have some morals. IP address: I will be at the Council meeting and I hope to address the issues with you face to face, you will be attending?
Aladin83 posts
I am not going after anyone and I am not trying to destroy anything...as you have said, some of the points i have raised are valid, would you like to elaborate on what points you think they are? I sense a veiled attept at intimidation in some of these posts not just yours...this doesn't surprise me and I suspected this might happen due to the effect on some people of having these matters brought to light. Just because you believe there are more pressing issues for council to deal with is irrelevent. With this attitude Council could avoid all issues except the most serious by claiming they need to focus on the "true issues" as they see them. The main thing I have done is brings some Facts to light that the majority of the community were unaware of. If you can't handle the public knowing the facts about these matters maybe that reflects on yourself and your values rather than mine. Also the last thing i would want is some sort of coffee shop on this land, I have clearly stated what i think should happen, and this is less extreme than some of the ideas expressed. At no time have i suggested that it would be a good idea to have some kind of shop at these premises. I highly doubt if something like that would win a tender process anyway so you cannot accuse me of wanting this by stating that the property should go to tender. I was asked by Cr. Wy Kanak if I would like to speak publicly at the Council meeting and I replied to him that i would be more than happy to. He never replied but I have noticed that he has put all the questions I have raised on the Agenda for the meeting. So I would have little if anything to say on this matter rather than ask these questions. This is all I have asked for and frankly, my only interest is having these questions asked and answered formally by council. AND PS: why would i be surprised by who "actually knows me" when i have lived in this community my entire life???? I should obviously be known in this Area a lot more than I would be anywhere else???? This statement makes no sense and sounds like a lame attempt at a threat. So in short, No I am not surprised by who actually knows me in an area i have lived my entire life, not in the least.....??? As Members of the Club have stated that the fishing club is welcoming of new members, why would you care that I have published the Presidents phone number????? This is the number that Waverley Council supplied me with to Contact the Club. The registered phone number seems to be disconnected. If there is another number you know of I would love to know and I am sure the community would to. I thought that the President would like to hear from community members interested in joining seeing as they seem to have no other contact details or way of contacting the club. if these are indeed the incorrect details i suggest you take it up with Waverley Council as they provided me with these details stating that they were the contact details of the Club. If you have the Clubs correct phone number I would be very grateful if you could pass it on. And lastly if you would like to meet face to face, why not first identify yourself and tell me the issues you would like to discuss??? Most of the questions I have asked have been directed at Council and I think i will eventually get answers to them. If you have anything you feel you can also add i strongly suggest you attend seeing as most the issues you wish to discuss are probably better addressed by council anyway as it is their decision as to what happens not mine. Most of the questions I had about the Club I seem to have found answers for myself..... Best Regards,
Aladin83 posts
and Also I have been consistent, I have only ever been talking about Ben Buckler Fisherman's Club. What makes you think otherwise????
Street Corner posts
Dear All, We have removed the mobile number of Peter Rogers, Club President from the comments as requested. As we understand it the mobile number of the Ben Buckler Fishing Club President was given out by Waverley Council as a contact number for enquiries about the Club. Regardless, we are happy to remove if it's not a number you want publicised but it is probably something that would be good to follow up with the Council, if you don't want this number in the public domain or have already told them not give out the President's phone number. Is there another phone number members of the public can call the Club on with queries or membership requests? Club Members are also welcome to publish their own stories on Streetcorner either about the Club or any other local issues. Streetcorner is an open community platform designed to allow locals to engage in constructive dialogue about the issues that matter to them. Regards Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community
Aladin83 posts
If the Club wants this number removed, why can't they provide a more appropriate phone number beforehand to replace it with? The Members have stated that this Club is welcoming yet they have asked for the only contact phone number available for the club to be removed.....very strange.
The Wall Have Ears! posts
Aladin Your twisting of the issues are suprising noting now you are bring alledged threats and intimadation, if you construde these emails this way that is your issue, Im to old for that crap(59). Anyway I digress, please note proper procols of internet personal information, as you would agree, a club has a registered number and address, if this is not the supplied copy that a Council has and under Corp law it has it has no right under give personal information out, you are guilty of then publishing this, please be careful. Not strange at all to give a published PERSONAL NUMBER, lets publish yours! Of course private numbers should be that of PRIVATE without wacko calls, prank calls and threats, which now you may have imposed on a ederly club memeber, good work. Please note the work discretion. I will be attending and at least giving my support to a club like this and also others that I mentioned in my first email. Oh yes, I am not a member, have never wanted to join and fish the murk and the rings/mattens in my young days, but want to stand -up for the past, the honest blokes who made Bondi what is was, and hold onto something precious, pity you didnt take on the Ice Bergs about exclusivity! Anyway another chapter will be written and we will all move on, who knows you have now prompted me to be a memeber of the club, lets now join together and beat as one for the area.
Street Corner posts
Apologies, we had a bug then and I had to remove the last comment. You can now add comments again. Apologies to Hall Street,I hope we haven't dissuaded you. Regards Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community.
Aladin83 posts
Why would I have a problem with the Icebergs??? The Icebergs has contact details, information on how to join is freely available, their facilities are open to the public. As i have said before, i do not have a problem with the club. Why am i trying to ruin the Club???? Why do you accuse me of trying to ruin the past? As for the Presidents contact details this is something you should take up with Council. As for publishing my personal contact details. I would feel that this was justified if i was president of a club with no other contact details......
Street Corner posts
Dear All, We are writing an article about the Ben Buckler Amateur Fishing Club and would welcome comment from Club Members or other members of the community about the membership process at the Club and the role of the Club in the community. Any comments can be addressed to info@streetcorner.com.au We are also seeking some factual information like membership numbers at the Club, Club history, annual cost of membership etc. Regards Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community
Street Corner posts
Hi again, An article on the Club has been published on Streetcorner but you are welcome to post comments or information under the article or to post your own article on Streetcorner. Here is a link http://www.streetcorner.com.au/news/show... Regards, Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community
The Walls have Ears posts
Aladin You miss the point, private details and the details of others have the right to remain that of PRIVATE, I can name numerous cases where privacy advocacy groups and websites and contributors who undertake violations can be accessed and perused, please be careful in issuing numbers, your protocol should have been to ring the man up and ask if it was ok to publish, not be a martyr and cause undo calls and possible harassment via the net a very dangerous precedent that the website, YOURSELF and contributors are now involved with. Your number can be given if required with the home address so that others also can vent directly to yourself as the President is possibly now finding. I look forward to your positive stand of this moral dilemma you now find yourself in. Your actions are positive for all possible new users that may want to become members, why not call for a Special AGM of members and discuss, this should prove positive, you can meet them, as you also know some it will be a good idea, call the president and ask. Become a memeber bring in change and lets go, check with Randwick how they do their leasing of the sheds with the dept, you will be enlightened.
Craig99 posts
When something is very desired and given to a select group of people with no rules or scruntiny then this is the result you yet. If Randwick is the same someone should apply the same scruntiny there and see if they meet the community test or are paying reasonable rent.
Norman K posts
Tell me this, how are we supposed to get in contact with the club if the club doesn't have a phone number and the President of the Club doesn't want his mobile phone number made public. Shouldn't you have a landline so the Council doesn't have to give out his number to people??? What kind of community club is uncontactable and has no numbers that they want published so people can contact them. Are we supposed to go looking for the names of the club members in the White Pages and start calling home numbers to try to track you guys down. Don't you get that your lack of accessability shows what you REALLY are..... you guys have a smug holier than thou sense of entitlement about all of this. Can I remind you of this, it is OUR club and it is OUR land. You have the luxury of using it because of the Council and communities goodwill. Good on Aladin for bringing this all out in the open. The more sunlight on this the better.
Aladin83 posts
The walls have ears, Norman has some good points for you to answer and Craig has a good statement for you to read too :-) Unfortunately you will probably just ignore him. I don't think it is me that has missed the point mate. I think you're the one that has pretty muched looked over every point of this article in favour of the one you keep addressing. I have stated why I published the number. It is funny that out of everything i raise you pick up on this one silly point. And then you want to go and say I am missing the point....
Bondi Ben posts
Just read the other story. They pay $381 in rent, $381 A YEAR in rent!!!!! Even 85 Somali fishermen can afford that!!!!!!
The Walls have ears posts
Far from it guys its not silly if you look at your recent post as the number is now been edited, there may be an issue after all? No silly points, actually I take on board with Norman says and remind you all "Your actions are positive for all possible new users that may want to become members, why not call for a Special AGM of members and discuss, this should prove positive, you can meet them, as you also know some it will be a good idea, call the president and ask. Become a memeber bring in change and lets go" Im for openess and transprency, what I am annoyed about is the tact and number issuing. I hope you become members and get your boats and participate in the club, PS Im not a member but know past memebers who have retired and some of their sons, I even know the murk men and the father of the original author of the comments. Am retired and this is a great pastime to debate in Cheers
Street Corner posts
UPDATE: We have received this update from the Mayor of Waverley, who has been in contact with the Club President Peter Rogers. "Apparently the publicised landline was disconnected as salt water had corroded the line. They are in the process of getting a mobile phone number which will be made available to the public."
Aladin83 posts
That's great, you think they would have done this when it initially "corroded" seeing as they want to be part of the community and all. Maybe "the walls have ears" will realise that having some contact details might make it a little easier to organise a "Special AGM" or anything else for that matter. I wonder if Peter discussed renewing his lease with the Mayor. Something that probably should have been done 13 years ago but hey, better late than never!
Bondi Ben posts
Still sounds like these guys are operating like a private club. No phone number, no information, no checks and balances by Council. Are there Chinese members? arab members, aboriginal members it is really their headland afterall or is the old guard of Bondi and their offspring doing whatever they like on public property at $381 bucks a year!!! Sorry, had to repeat that figure, still in shock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $381 bucks a year rent!! Good to read the Club is getting a phone number so people can call.talk about being dragged kicking and screaming
The Walls Have Ears!! posts
Pending on lease conditions the line it may be actually at Councils cost, you are again assuming Aladin. Did you get a copy of the terms of the lease, can you understand, what is a capital expense and a lease expense, what in annual mnt cost vs that of capital renewall under the Councils 10 year asset plan, what $ has the Council spent on this facility over the past 15 years, what was the budget allocation for mnt that Council allocated to this building over the past 15 years. Probably none, the members paid for it with working bees etc etc. Publish the $ from your Greens member (Kann) on the $ allocation for this building please that Council has spent, then eat humble pie. The terms of lease agreements are the owners responsibility they dictate rental/lease and returns,why ask for a lease to be increased, its like asking a bank to review your loan payments so it increases, please be reasonable. Please do not try and clear yourself from your abuse of the Private Number, a very poor decision on your behalf. Anyway see you up there tonight. Get that info and read it, I have it. Be armed with all the info prior to sounding off, as Breaker Morant said, what rule? Rule 303 sir!!
Aladin83 posts
I have the info mate! The lease expired 13 years ago. When a lease expires not only can the owner increase the rent!!!!!!!!!!!! he can also choose not not renew the lease...... Waverley council have admitted they are in breach of the Crown Lands Act 2009. Why should the council allocate money when they pay so little rent. I think a majority of the community would think they could spend the saved rent for upkeep of this property. For you to claim they should get exclusive access to this propery for a few hundred dollars a year and then also we should allocate more of our council funds to upkeep this property for them to use just shows everyone how out of touch you are....
Street Corner posts
For your information and in light of commentary regarding who pays to maintain the club we received this information yesterday from Waverley Council which confirms that in line with the 1977 lease the Club pays the maintenance costs for the building. "Club Fees are set only to cover costs which amount to about $3,500 per annum covering things like insurance, electricity, water and rent. The club pays all outgoings. No maintenance costs or indeed other costs are incurred by Council. Working bees to maintain the premises annually are organised on a volunteer basis by the club members. The club holds an annual general meeting and has a small reserve fund for building maintenance." As for capital works expenses, we haven't had that aspect clarified. But perhaps someone in the community or a Club Member could clarify? Regards Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community
Aladin83 posts
sorry i meant crown lands act 1989.
Aladin83 posts
Also from looking at the lease, the Club is exempt from any council rates in respect to this property..... BTW, I am not attending the council meeting, the questions I have raised are on the agenda already. Council has admitted that the lease expired 13 years ago and that this is a breach and also Peter has stated that he'll get a phone connected. Why do I need to attend? everything I have asked for is on it's way to being achieved?
Council hack posts
There is no motion on the Council Agenda that affects this Club. Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak has only asked for factual answers to some clarificatory questions.
Aladin83 posts
yes and if you read above. all i wanted was some questions answered. that is all. The lease will be reviewed in due course as it has expired....
Council hack posts
Council can impose conditions and obligations on sporting Associations as a condition of any lease entered into with Council. This could include specified membership reform ie this could be one of the lease conditions as it is unlikely if not implausible that an exisiting Club Membership will reform membership if it is not in the interests of current members.
Aladin83 posts
I think that may be all that is required.....that and a new lease...
migs posts
I was interweb searching for something and simply happened apon this article. It is kind of ironic becuae I was sitting having a beer a few days ago and someone asked me if I was interested in joining the club... possibly because I live locally, was born and went to school locally, participate in other local clubs and events, fish down around there about 4 days every week all year round and don't act like a porkchop or aggitate on forums. And you know Aladin, if I take up the offer to join, it will be because I have something to offer to the club not with a view of getting something out of the club.
Aladin83 posts
Thats funny, you live locally, was born and went to school locally, participate in other local clubs and events, fish down around there about 4 days every week all year round and they only asked you to join a few days ago ???? Thought they would have asked you years ago.....lol BTW I live locally, was born and went to school locally, participate in other local clubs, fish down down there regularly all year round but this doesn't make me any more entitled to council facilities than any other Community members.....maybe in your eyes it does......
migs posts
As you so rightly point out Aladin, it seems we are alike in all respects except one, viz., acting like a porkchop. I think that speaks volumes.
Bondi Ben posts
Migs, the points you make confirm what Aladin said. If it's a community club getting a free ride by them paying 5cents for rent then they can't operate like a bunch of mates who decide who's a good bloke and who's not. Lucky you, you've got the nod, you fit their crowd and then want to you in, great for you!!! If they owned the land and building they could operate how the bloody hell they like but they don't, it's a community asset - can you guys GET THIS!! A COMMUNITY ASSET. NOT A MATES CLUB ON PRIVATE LAND. Let's say Aladin never gets the nod from this group of guys who don't have phone numbers you can call, he's wanted to join for years and you get the tap before him. that's what you are saying you are showing the very problem, it's a law unto itself, ITS NOT ON, ITS NOT ON and all the bashing up of Aladin for raising it IS NOT ON either.
Aladin83 posts
Speak volumes in showing your maturity level.
migs posts
Bondi Ben, I don't believe I ever said I didn't want to join years ago. I merely pointed out that I have never had a dummy spit about not getting in there ... or at Coogee ... or about Thommos not giving me more than a day to get back to them about a tinny space being available down there. Sometimes I guess life just isn't fair. There are also many ways to go about things. Does getting all uppity about the situation, stirring Council into charging commercial rent for the place, new leases, new constitutions, memos and articles make for a better "community asset" - unlikely. The end game seems to be "if I can't have it, nobody can". That is my view, it isn't attacking Aladin or anyone else. It is my view that I am just as entitled put forward as anyone else.
The Walls Have Ears 2 posts
And then there was silence, what a great meeting last night should place the people and detractors in their place. My son attended for me and listened, it is positive to see the Council had the facts and not the helium that is being expelled from various sections. Onwards and upwards now, get another issue Aladin and now try and move on. Wires has an issue about possums you may want to look at and the use of possible Council assets and land to set this up or the the lease of Williams Park and building, you know that park dont you its called the golf club/diggers. Hope to see you join as I will now to help preserve an icon We are one but we are many
Bondi Ben posts
Migs you sure are entitled to your view but you say we should shut up. See any irony in that? I never said it should be charged a commerical rent either but yes, they should get clear rules for membership set up. This would be good for everyone.
Hall Street posts
The Walls Have Ears what is with the "we are one but we are many" crap? Is that a threat? and what's with "The Walls Have Ears" what are you the Stasi? Don't know who you are but you come off as a bully.
The Walls have ears 3 posts
Its from a Qantas commercial, sing along "we are one we are many" No bully in me 59 too old for that crap Hall St. Dont get too serious hall st or you will need to go to the Belgium Beer cafe and have a beer. The walls has ears is a 1st and 2nd world war slogan, it means we listen and we are careful what we say, you should google it and get educated in Aust post war history.
Hall Street posts
The Walls Have Ears Thanks for explaining. I take back what I said. I'm clearly just uneducated it was all too subtle for me
Aladin83 posts
So you have given us the origin of your quotes. Now what is the meaning behind why you used them??? I think it is funny that you kept stating (more than once) that you are attending the Council Meeting and then don't go.... At least i never said that i was going....and by saying you are too old too bully people, are you implying that you did in your younger days???? From my experience men your age are the ones who try to be the most intimidating......lol
rortman posts
what a rort. here is the council threatening to raise the rates of small property owners whilst charging a paltry $381/year for the exclusive and private use of public waterfront land. good on you aladin83 for raising this issue. those threatening and abusing you should settle down. they are obviously worried about loosing their previously secret cheap privileged position.
Lozzal posts
Im a fisherman but not a member of the club and someone told me about this carrying on about it.The club is a classic icon of Bondi and should left alone unless someone would want to join and become a contributing party to the club just like any other club. I cannot believe this idiot Aladin is so bloody intent on doing the club harm, what is it with you? seems to me like you are a serial blogger with nothing better to do in your life and i suggest you get a life or become a real person and not hide behind your screen carrying on like this.
Aladin83 posts
Gee, you're a constructive fellow..... Cultural Icons should not be left alone!!!! they should be regulated and legislated as such to afford them formal legal protection and ongoing certainty in there existence. I guess you have not heard of properties being heritage listed etc.... For you to say that this club should simply be left alone, shows your complete ignorance and lack of understanding for the importance of due process in the efficient and transperant running of this beautiful country of ours. By the way who is hiding? Last time i checked i was flesh and bone so I would really like to know what your defintion of a real person is? Someone who abides by your personal ideas of cultural and racial stereotypes perhaps. If anything it could be argued that it is me trying to protect this club by trying to provide it with some certainty in it's existence going forward. By you saying it should be left alone could be argued is trying to destroy the club by not reviewing it and therefore not providing it with any opportunity to secure it's existence going forward. I think you need to take a good long hard look in the mirror and rethink who you choose to call an idiot.
JackyJacky posts
Aladin83: As a local without any strong view either way on this topic, i gotta say i am astonished at the fixation you appear to have on those old fishermen in the garage on the rocks - reminds me of the old Groucho Marx' quote: "I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member" ! But, once you start to imply racism "Someone who abides by your personal ideas of cultural and racial stereotypes perhaps", time to loosen your grip on this issue and go fishing I'd say... If you really want in to the garage on the rocks - just camp outside it - they'll have to let you join after this kerfuffle - it may just cost you a lot more now that the council is looking at upping the rates (at your instigation) !
Lozzal posts
Post removed.
Street Corner posts
Dear Lozzal, We have removed your post as it was inappropriate. Passionate debate on any topic is a good thing but we ask that everyone is respectful of the right of others to hold views different to their own, even when they strongly disagree. Please don't make debates personal or engage in personal attacks. Regards Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community..
Mitch posts
Hey Fishing Club Guys You are making right tools of yourselves and I suggest you pull your heads in. If you are trying to make the case that you deserve the free kick you've been getting and you are a solid community club that does the right thing then you sure as hell aren't doing yourselves any favours the way you are carrying on. People only carry on like pork chops when they have something to hide. If the rent is legit at what it is and you are fair dinkum with guys who want to join you have no problems. If it's all who you know stuff then it was only a matter of time until the lark was up. And carrying on like pork chops is going to bring the house down my friends
migs posts
So if Alladin is a porkchop and the fishing club guys are porkchops, why can't they just all get on like our Federal politicians under the "new paradigm"?
mambo posts
Post removed
Lozzal posts
This post removed.
Street Corner posts
Lozzal and Mambo,We have removed your post as they were inappropriate. Please don't make debates personal or engage in personal attacks. Respect is the basis of any constructive discussion. Regards Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community..
Street Corner posts
Dear All, Streetcorner is seeking community comment on Waverley Council's consultation on whether rates should be increased by 70 - 120 % over the next 7 years to fund either current service levels or expand services, so for example say you pay $800 in rates now, you would pay $1,360 in seven years, if you want current service levels or $1,760 if you want expanded services. In total there is a $124 million shortfall to cover current services and there would be a $224 million shortfall if you want to increase services. Are you happy to fund these shortfalls from rate increases (and thereby rent increases)? Or would you prefer Council to look at other options? Currently there has been little feedback on Council's website, do you think that is because people don't care? Are in favour? Feel powerless? Or don't understand? If you are interested in this topic, probably the biggest financial issue in Waverley for 10 years, you might also wish to read this article we published http://www.streetcorner.com.au/news/show... welcome all feedback and thoughts, Regards, Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community
berengere posts
interesting: a community club non reachable by any means by the community...
Rockpool posts
Team can we put heat on Waverley Council in relation Wally Weekes Pool(Wally Weekes Bathing Pool) we need this sand pumped out so we have depth! All other tidal pools are done accross other Council areas, not this one. In the past 30 years I dont think its been done one, we need mnt on this, this is an ICONIC pool and sand needs to be removed!!
Remove the sand posts
Early 1900s Original pool was a swimming spot created by residents. Later formalised and named after Wally Weekes, a publican, boxer and patron of the North Bondi surf club. 1998 Waverley Council commissioned an investigation report on the North Bondi Children's Pool from the NSW Department of Public Services. The report recommended construction of a new intake line through the Wally Weekes Bathing Pool and the existing rock shelf. 2001 Waverley Council commissioned a further report on the North Bondi Children's Pool and a review of the Wally Weekes Pool from Patterson Britton & Partners Pty Ltd, an engineering firm with considerable experience and expertise in the design and upgrading of ocean pools. That report made few recommendations for the Wally Weekes Pool, but did recommend that Council add a handrail at the ramp entry to the pool and continue to leave the discharge valve open to allow the pool to operate fully as a tidal pool. The pool's water quality was considered satisfactory. Waverley Council approved a tender for upgrading of the Wally Weekes Bathing Pool and the North Bondi Children's Pool, subject to confirmation of available funding. The original early 1900s pool was a swimming spot created by residents. Later formalised and named after a local identity. Assessed significance: Local. 2010 handrail issue No pumpout of sand come on Waveley Council!!!
Old local posts
Yeah whats happening there used to be a great area for kids and looking at fish and marine life, now its a sediment sock for sand it looks like Councils neglect unlike randwick where there really maintain Malabar, Mahons Coogee etc, Wally Weekes in a poor cousin Waveverly pick your game up!
Street Corner posts
Dear Rockpool, Remove the Sand & Old Local, Can I suggest if you'd like to raise the profile of this issue ie Wally Weekes pool - you publish a story on Streetcorner. Just pretty much what you've already said, but a separate story will give the issue more profile. Also put in a report to EveryMap www.everymap.com.au - it sends alerts to Council's and locals - on things like this that you'd like addressed. There is a "Fix this please!" section - add here. Streetcorner is working with EveryMap & Streetcorner also publishes summaries of all the local reports. Warm regards, Streetcorner, YOUR voice in the community
jamie2580 posts
So did anyone get to the bottom of how to join Ben Buckler Fishing club?
Weekes posts
Nope, we didn't. The secretive fishing club has gone back to how it's always been.
Aladin83 posts
There has been progress actually. The Club now has to pay $10,000 a year rent which is quite an increase, also there new lease is for a period of 5 years, not indefinite. Also they are drafting up a new lease which is supposed to have a clause in it ensuring that the club is open to all. Wentworth Courier wrote an article month or two back entitled "fishermen told to pay up" and the new lease agreement was adressed at a recent council meeting after the council had looked into the matter.
o_O posts
Well that is excellent progress. More money for Council to add to their 13% per annum rates increase for each of the next three years. Maybe we can charge commercial mooring for the tinnies and put in a speed camera or two. The new lease will probably resut in the need to put in wheelchair access to the building - that will also cost a bomb. A real positive result.
Aladin83 posts
Ummmm, no they won't be installing speed camera's and they won't be charging commercial mooring rates for tinnies????? I feel sorry for disabled people and the limited access available to such places so i have no problem with disabled access even though everything you have said is a bit odd and far fetched.....
o_O posts
How's your membership application coming along? I hope you have a big cheque ready to pay the $10,000 rent every year. I would like to thank you for the wonderful job you have done for the community Aladin. I am going to nominate you for a community service medal of some sort ... and a chest to pin it on.
Aladin83 posts
I have not applied for Membership????? Why would I pay the $10,000??? that is for the mebers to pay collectively????? And thank you for recognising the service I have provided to the community :-) I don't need a medal though, that is going a bit too far.....
Jimbo@Bondi posts
Something stinks in that cosy arrangement, and it isn't the fish. Take it to A Current Affair or Today Tonight. Let the tinpot Council bureaucrats explain it all to the public at large.
JungleJosef posts
Good on you Aladin83, not only do you have a Brain to expose these Bondi Leeches, but you have a spine to stand up to these scmbags and demand what is ours! Good to see the community is now getting fairly renumerated by these scmbags......and i wouldn't worry about any of their comments, all the people who have challenged you on here are either retarded, cowards or both! Look forward to you uncovering more rorting by waverley council and whatever other scmbags they are in bed with!
BalmainBug posts
Aladin, are you now going to join up to the club? Any ideas what it costs and how many members have applied?
migs posts
AGM was the other week so Aladin will know by now if he is a member. I think it was $100 or something.
Dolphin posts
Aladin83, what a tool! Seems like you've spoilt a good thing mate, and now that the greedy council is raking in $10,000 for an old garage and a bunch of yuppies have gotten on your band wagon, lets see how long it takes for the beautiful shed to be "renovated" to be the next Bondi tapas/wine bar. It's people like you who change the face of Bondi and strip it of it's history and charm. Shame!
rortman posts
hey dolphin, hold the abuse. it does nothing for your argument. good on aladin83 for exposing this rort. love rortman
Random posts
Came across this story randomly , good outcome , community facilities going back tithe community
Bondi Local posts
Good on you Aladin83 - there are way too many rorts going on in Bondi and it's great to see you sort this one out. It takes balls, mate. Bravo!
CareerOptionForYou2 posts
Some people says its nt possible... some who earned says its a wonderful opportunity to earn about $7000 in 1 month on website/internet, did you read the page http://wow42.com
DianaTa2131 posts
As Liza said its commandable that one can earn about $5500 in 1 month by influencing website articles on Home Profit, did you read the page http://cutt.us/Career
2026mermaid posts
I totally agree with you Aladdin83. Disclosure and reviewed tenancy is the only way to keep our Council honest and above board...
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