Scout Hall’s future under assessment

The future use of Victoria Park Scout Hall is under the microscope after Scouts Association NSW submitted a development application (DA) to Waverley Council for the demolition of the building.

Located on Crown Land, the site is in a derelict state and has not been used for over eight years.

Robert Ives, a board member of Waverley Woollahra Art School (WWAS), said the school currently has four arts studios operating at capacity and the site could help WWAS meet the needs of its students.

“We have been teaching art classes in the municipality for 40 years now and there is a need for more specifically equipped teaching studios. This is why we wish to develop the Scout Hall,” he said.

“It’s about the art school. It’s about fostering art in the community and expanding opportunities for our local artists.”

A resident of Queens Park, Mr Ives contended the site could be repaired and made into a “dedicated and pristine” print-making space, with only two print-making facilities currently operating in Sydney.

“The Scout Hall will provide … much needed work space for artists in this municipality as identified in Waverley Council’s Arts Policy,” he said.

Liberal Councillor Angela Burrill, chair of the Waverley Public Art Committee, said Council provides opportunities to help support local artists.

“I fully support community art classes in the area and assist in every way that I can to ensure that Council offers a high level of service,” she said.

But Ms Burrill said the Scout Hall, owned by Scouts Association NSW, has “significant structural damage” and is a safety concern.

“We want to be looking at solving the issues of community safety right now … The building is not recoverable – it is a derelict building. It’s really not good for our residents to have a building that’s in a dangerous state right next to a playground,” she said.

Queens Park resident Dr Diana Adams echoed Ms Burrill’s concerns at the June 18 Waverley Council meeting, opining the site was a hub for anti-social behaviour.

“I have lived opposite this park for 12 years … the Scout Hall was a problem even then. It has got drugs, vandalism and we can’t police it. If you delay the demolition, I just don’t see how we are going to fix this hall,” she said.

But Labor Councillor Paula Masselos said security would not be a problem if the building was well-lit and used on a regular basis.

“Here’s an opportunity to have something of real benefit and worth to the community. What value do you put on an infrastructure that can actually provide [and] make a contribution to our arts community in Waverley? I think that’s invaluable,” she said.

Liberal Councillor Leon Goltsman said Council will now assess the DA to address the issue of safety in accordance with Section 89 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act relating to Crown Land.

“We’re just going to take it to the next step which is to investigate ways to proceed forward to remedy this situation that we’ve been having and that could include … [the Crown Lands Department] dismantling it for the safety of the community,” he said.