Myths. Busted.
Isn’t this development a done deal — a fait accompli?
Not at all.
While the proposal may feel like a foregone conclusion, the redevelopment still requires Member approval. According to the Registered Clubs Act, the sale or lease of core club property — such as the building and land at 22 Melwood Avenue — cannot proceed without a formal vote by the membership at a general meeting. That vote is your chance to say no.
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The board has invested time and resources into planning and has signed preliminary agreements, but those commitments are not the same as legal approval. In fact, the entire project hinges on gaining Member consent. This is not a rubber stamp — it's a legal gate.
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The notion that “it’s already happening” is a narrative often used to demoralise opposition and speed things through without proper scrutiny. But if members mobilise and vote against the proposal, it cannot legally proceed. The only thing locked in is that you still have a say — and possibly just one chance to exercise it.
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Waiting to take action may mean losing the only opportunity to stop or reshape the development before it's too late.
If we don’t develop this now, will we lose our opportunity?
Not necessarily.
Redevelopment will remain a possibility in the future — and arguably a better one if done with broader community input and a clearer vision. There is no immediate financial crisis forcing the club’s hand. In fact, the club appears to be in a strong financial position, which means there is time to pause, reassess, and plan smarter.
Much of the work done to date — designs, feasibility studies, community engagement — doesn’t have to be wasted. It can inform a future proposal (if that is the wish of the Members) that better balances growth with the needs of Members, families, and the local community.
Do the Poker Machine Law Changes Justify the Redevelopment?
Not really.
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Forestville RSL is financially strong — with over $2.3 million in cash and $544,000 profit last year. The club brings in over $5.2 million from gaming alone.
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Yes, there are poker machine reforms coming — like hiring Responsible Gambling Officers and moving ATMs away from pokies — but these are manageable operational changes, not existential threats.
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The biggest reforms (like cashless gaming) are still in trial phase and not mandated. The club has the funds and time to adapt without developing core property.
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In short: The poker machine changes are being overstated. They don’t justify this scale of redevelopment. The club can afford to comply — without sacrificing our 'bowling green' space and community identity.
Don't we need to move with the times?
Absolutely — but how we evolve matters just as much as whether we do.
Progress doesn’t mean voting away a valued community asset in exchange for a few club upgrades. True modernisation means future-proofing the club while protecting what makes it valuable to the community: accessible licensed spaces, local character, and democratic control.
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Modern clubs across NSW are successfully evolving by investing in sustainable upgrades, multi-use facilities, and inclusive programming without selling the soul of the place. Forestville RSL has options — renovation, expansion, or staged improvements that don’t take on excessive financial risk or alienate the community.
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“Moving with the times” doesn’t mean blindly accepting development. It means being smart, transparent, and strategic. And crucially — it means bringing Members and the community along for the journey, not leaving them behind a construction fence.
A financially strong club is a better club.
Let's rephrase that: 'How much is enough?'
Forestville RSL is in a strong financial position, with millions in annual revenue and over half a million dollars in profit last year. So what happens next?
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If the redevelopment goes ahead, the club gets a facelift. But for ordinary members, what does that actually mean? Will your drinks be cheaper? Will meals be free? Will there be more live music, better events, or enhanced support for veterans and families? Will you have a better time with your friends?
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Or is it simply about owning more, earning more - having more?
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We’re told this is about “securing the future,” but we should ask: the future for who? If we lose what many feel makes our club so special… then who exactly is this serving?
Doesn’t the club give generously to the community?
​​​The club does make some community donations — but the full picture is more nuanced than it appears.
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In 2024, Forestville RSL reported $5.26 million in poker machine income and nearly $8 million in total revenue, yet only $201,861 was allocated to “community donations, sponsorships and promotions.” That’s about 2.5% of total revenue, and it’s worth noting that this figure includes marketing activities and club promotions — not just charitable giving.
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More importantly, donations of this kind are not simply acts of goodwill — they are partly a legal requirement under NSW’s ClubGRANTS Scheme. For Forestville RSL, they did exceed their obligation in 2024. But not by a transformative amount.
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So yes, the club gives — but claiming this level of contribution justifies community benefit for a major redevelopment is misleading. Giving a regulated fraction back from millions in gaming profits shouldn’t be used to silence community concerns about overdevelopment.
Won’t the development boost the value of the area?
Not likely — at least, not in the way families would want. A massive retirement complex towering over the suburb from the hilltop is not what attracts young families looking for a vibrant, connected community. Nor is a small, tucked-away club beneath it.
What does draw people in — and keep them here — is open, usable green space where parents can relax, kids can play, and neighbours become friends. That’s what builds long-term value — not redevelopment that erodes the heart of the community.