Super site wait anger

Jessica Benton
Frustrated bowls and croquet players are stuck in a “waiting game” to find out whether they will have to make way for a supermarket at Drysdale, according to a club official.
Drysdale Bowls and Croquet Club director Lex Mortimer said the club’s fate was still uncertain after council adopted a town structure plan earmarking the greens for a supermarket.
“It’s really just a waiting game for us,” he said.
“We’re quite happy where we are, right in the middle of town, and we won’t be moving unless it’s advantageous for the club, so the council is going to have to come up with a pretty good option if they want us to go.”
Mr Mortimer said members were growing frustrated with council leaving their club in the lurch.
“It annoys us a bit because we don’t know whether we’re staying or going,” he said.
“The club is sitting there with two really good greens that are in great order, so it would be a real shame to have to move.
“We do need to do a few things around the place but there’s no point in upgrading until we know what’s happening.”
Councillor Andrew Katos, who holds council’s planning portfolio, said the draft structure plan attracted 39 submissions from community groups and residents.
Fifteen addressed Drysdale’s town centre, with a number referring to the club’s situation, Cr Katos said.
Some submissions proposed an out-of-town supermarket, with Murradoc Road nominated as a preferred location compared to the bowls club site, Cr Katos said.
Some submitters also feared “an oversupply” of supermarkets in the town, with the plan nominating an aditional site in council’s Jetty Road growth area, he said.
The Independent was unable to contact ward councillor John Duoll for comment.