Gordon Bowling Club Masterplan

Project update - March 2026

PHASE 3 CONSULTATION NOW COMPLETE

Thank you to the 43 community members who participated in our co-design workshops held on 7, 9 and 23 March 2026.

Each session began with a presentation from Council's Senior Landscape Architect, covering the project background, site conditions and constraints, and the range of activities that could potentially be accommodated on the site. Participants then worked in small groups to prioritise activities and features and map out their preferred layout, before coming together as a whole group to share their ideas and work toward a shared vision for the site.

The workshops were a great success, providing valuable insights to help Council staff shape the next stage of the project. While there were varying views on some matters, there was also strong agreement on many aspects — giving the project a solid foundation to move forward.

Council staff will now use the workshop findings to prepare a draft masterplan, which will be placed on public exhibition in spring 2026. This will give the broader community an opportunity to provide feedback before the plan is finalised and adopted.

Project summary

Ku-ring-gai Council is converting the former Gordon Bowling Club site at 4 Pennant Avenue, Gordon into a new public park and recreation area. Over a four-stage consultation process, the community is invited to help shape the design and use of this valuable green space that will serve our community for generations to come.

About the site

4 Pennant Avenue Gordon, also known as the former Gordon Bowling Club site, is located west of the Pacific Highway between Bushlands Avenue and Cecil Street, Gordon and is a 700 metre walk from Gordon railway station.

The land is owned by Council and was previously leased to the Gordon Bowling Club who occupied the site since 1953. The Club vacated the site in early 2018, since that time the site has remained vacant.

In April 2024 Council resolved to retain the site as public open space, converting it to a new park and recreation area. When complete the new park will have an area of approximately 1.28ha.

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Phase 1 community engagement included multiple opportunities to shape the design of the new open space at the former Gordon Bowling Club.

Over 13 August to 10 September 2025, community members were able to provide input via:

Online survey
Interactive planning tool
Sharing stories and photos
Submiting written feedback
Expression of interest form (for sporting and recreating groups)

This consultation stage focused on gathering community feedback about ideas and wants, local site knowledge that could affect use and design, and social history from locals' perspectives.

Phase 2 community engagement consisted of a community event at the former Gordon Bowling Club site held on 22 November 2025, from 10am to 1pm.

The event included three 'design walk' slots, where Council staff took small groups of participants around the site and discussed the history, constraints, and opportunities of the site.

Community members were also able to provide written feedback at the session.

What you love about the site

You value the large, flat, open green space - a rare asset in our residential area - along with the mature trees, natural bushland character, and quiet, accessible location. You see enormous potential for this underutilised space to become a community hub whilst respecting its peaceful setting.

What needs improvement

The site is significantly underutilised, with a derelict clubhouse, lack of basic amenities (toilets, seating, drinking fountains), poor maintenance, drainage issues, and no organised activities or clear purpose.

Your top facility preferences

1. Sports facilities – Tennis courts were most requested, with strong support for pickleball, basketball/netball courts, multi-purpose synthetic fields, and cricket nets

2. Community spaces – Community gardens, off-lead dog park, and open event space

3. Family facilities – Children's playground (ages 5–12), teenage activity spaces, picnic areas with barbecues, and shaded seating

4. Essential amenities – Clean toilets, drinking fountains, proper lighting, and adequate parking

What's missing in Gordon / Killara?

You identified critical gaps: lack of facilities west of Pacific Highway, difficulty booking tennis courts, shortage of basketball/netball courts, limited community gathering spaces, and need for better age-inclusive facilities from children to elderly residents.

Important considerations for co-design

Your feedback highlighted key factors: poor drainage in the north-eastern corner, limited parking and access, steep terrain, and the heritage pine tree. You emphasised the need for balance between active sports facilities and quiet green space, whilst respecting the residential setting and maintaining natural character.

In summary

You want a multi-functional community hub serving all ages—from toddlers to seniors—with particular focus on tennis/sports facilities, community gardens, dog areas, and family amenities.

Following the completion of Phase 3 consultation, Council staff will use the findings from the co-design workshops to prepare a draft masterplan for the site. The draft masterplan will be placed on public exhibition in spring 2026 (Phase 4), giving the broader community a final opportunity to provide feedback before the plan is formally adopted by Council.

Once adopted, elements of the masterplan will be progressively implemented over the coming years, guided by budget, available resources, and community priorities.

Larger or more complex elements such as major facilities or built infrastructure will be subject to further community consultation before works proceed. This will ensure that detailed design and proposed uses are shaped with ongoing community input, and that the final outcome truly reflects the needs of the Gordon and Killara community.

Stay connected to this page for updates as the project moves forward.

What’s happened at similar sites

These examples show the range of possibilities for the future, like playgrounds, community gardens, event spaces, community centres, and sports facilities - all keeping their recreational use while serving local needs.

North Manly Bowling Club

Complete redevelopment into a District Gymnastics Centre within existing recreation precinct.

Petersham Bowling Club

Hybrid approach: retained one green, converted other for events (barefoot bowling, bistro, live music, weddings). Added community gardens.

Kings Park - Denistone, Ryde Council

Fully converted to public open space with playground, picnic shelters, and amenities.

Warners Park - Willoughby Council

Greens maintained as grass areas (no permanent conversion yet). Building temporarily leased to yoga group. Adjacent park features new playground.

Kensington Park - Randwick Council

Southern area became community parking, northern section converted to recreation space and gardens. Building now operates as a community centre.

Artarmon Bowling Club - Willoughby Council -

Converted two greens into a playspace and community gardens, with bushland walk connections. Clubhouse remains unused.

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To call us using an interpreter service, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450, and ask them to call us on 9424 0000.

Timeline

Phase 1 engagement: 13 August to 10 September 2025
- Online survey
- Interactive planning tool
- Sharing stories and photos
- Submititng written feedback
- Expression of interest form (for...
Phase 2 engagement: November 2025
- Design walks at community event held on-site on 22 November 2025
- Further opportunites to submit written feedback
Phase 3 engagement: March 2026
Three co-design workshops held with the community and Council staff during March 2026.
Preparation of draft masterplan (current stage)
Factors including community feedback, site conditions, retention of site features and cost are taken into account.
Phase 4 engagement: Spring 2026
Following its endorsement at a future Council meeting, the draft masterplan will be placed on public exhibition.
Commencement of design and construction work: 2026/27 financial year
This is an approximate timeframe and dependent on budget and other resources available.

FAQ

Public open space is:

Accessible to everyone
Can have a variety of uses
Can include passive and active recreation
Publicly owned and managed by government

A mix of facilities will be considered to cater for both active and passive recreation. Based on similar projects at other councils, possibilities could include:

Playspaces and playgrounds
Community gardens
Picnic shelters and amenities
Event venues
Community centres
Specialized sports facilities
Walking paths and bushland connections

Yes, other councils have successfully repurposed bowling club sites including:

Artarmon - Playspace and community gardens with bushland walk connections
Kensington Park - Community parking, recreation space, and community centre
Kings Park, Denistone - Playground, picnic shelters, and amenities
Petersham - Hybrid approach with retained bowling green and community gardens
North Manly - Complete redevelopment into a District Gymnastics Centre

Several factors will guide the transformation:

Environmental protection - Part of the site will remain as natural open space to preserve important native vegetation and local ecology
Safety and security - Limited natural oversight as it's surrounded by homes on three sides
Access and parking - Vehicle access restricted to one entry/exit point on Pennant Avenue, with parking at near-maximum capacity. Separate walking path connects to Bushlands Avenue
Ground conditions - Previous testing revealed soil contamination that limits excavation and earthworks activities
Stormwater management - Development must account for water runoff patterns to protect neighbouring properties

Current parking is already at near-maximum capacity, which is a key consideration for future planning. Vehicle access is restricted to one entry/exit point on Pennant Avenue.

No, part of the site (Lot X DP 387680) will remain as natural open space to preserve important native vegetation and local ecology.

Council welcomes local site knowledge that would affect use and design. Technical considerations including environmental protection, safety, access, ground conditions, and stormwater management are all being factored into the planning process.

You may provide specific technical information via email to: frees@krg.nsw.gov.au

Yes, the engagement is designed as a four-phase process spanning from August 2025 through to mid-2026, providing multiple opportunities for community input at different stages of the planning process.

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Enquiries

Fleur Rees

Senior Landscape Architect
Ku-ring-gai Council
- Phone: 9424 0807
- Email: frees@krg.nsw.gov.au

Need an interpreter? Please phone the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 9424 0000.

If you are d/Deaf or find it hard to hear or speak to hearing people on the phone, you can contact the National Relay Service and provide them with the Ku-ring-gai contact number: 02 9424 0000.