Club Lemon Tree, in Port Stephens, NSW, is on the hunt for an experienced joint venture partner as it considers the future of the bowlo. Expressions of interest have opened for the 17,676sqm site, north of Newcastle, zoned RE2 (private recreation), with permitted uses including community facilities, eco-tourist facilities, hotel or motel accommodation, recreation facilities, restaurants or cafes and serviced apartments, the information memorandum states.
Club Lemon Tree is also asking interested parties to include in their EOI a 2000-2500sqm parcel of land for new club premises, with associated parking and a single championship-sized bowling green.
Just 45 minutes from Newcastle CBD and 20 minutes from Newcastle airport, the Hunter region club sits just 700m from the waterfront and marina where Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay meet to form the Tilligerry Peninsula on Port Stephens.
The club recently held an information session seeking input from members about the EOI and the land “not being used to its highest potential”.
“Development of the land would benefit the club and its members in the form of both physical and financial benefits. This will better enable us to continue to serve our members, local community and visitors to Port Stephens well into the future,” the club said.
Property consultants Suburbanite, which is working with the board on the proposal, attended the recent information session.
The EOI says a joint venture opportunity offers plenty of opportunity, including zoning for private recreation and low-density residential premises in an area where median house prices are increasing, it has no prescribed floor space ratio and is in an area with an annual economic output of $13.8 billion.
“(The) site boasts expansive street frontages, along with exposure and frontage to Meredith Ave, (and) borders natural bushland … just 700 metres from the waterfront and marina,” the EOI memo states. “(It) is mostly level and usable with exceptional solar access. The site is currently improved with the club premises, two bowling greens, an on-grade bitumen carpark and a residential dwelling.”
Suburbanite’s EOI interest campaign closes at 4pm on October 12.
