Positive progress continues on JBCSC de-amalgamation

Last week, two representatives of the Jervis Bay Community & Sports Club Ltd (JBCSC) Board met with the St Georges Basin Country Club Ltd (SGBCC) Board to provide a comprehensive update on the de-amalgamation process.

SGBCC and JBCSC are working closely together to advance de-amalgamation

Regular review meetings are held with management to discuss progress and to facilitate information flows.

Last week’s meeting was held at the invitation of the SGBCC Board who were keen to receive a face-to-face briefing.

It was an open, constructive and highly positive discussion. The questions and acceptance of our responses certainly indicated their absolute commitment to expediting the de-amalgamation.

JBCSC would like to acknowledge the ongoing support shown by the President and SGBCC Board throughout this process. Under the leadership of President Bob Proudfoot, the SGBCC Board has remained committed to ensuring the process is conducted professionally, responsibly, and in the best interests of all members.

This is a complex and unique process, the first of its kind in New South Wales

All parties understand that while it is important that we move through the sequence of approval steps as expeditiously as possible, the important thing for members is to achieve the right outcome.

During the meeting we spoke about the broader vision for the future club, including:

• Our commitment to creating opportunities for disadvantaged young people through training and employment pathways;

• The focus on community initiatives and support;

• The maintenance of the green space that the course represents and the integration of the Vincentia precinct with its beautiful location adjacent to Booderee National Park and recognising the cultural heritage of Jervis Bay and its surrounding communities; and

• The involvement of BY Group, whose experience, financial strength and Tier 2 construction capability, provide confidence that they are a credible long term project partner.

We also outlined several key concepts that are currently included in our financial viability submission to the Independent Accountant. These include:

• Operating initially without poker machines, thus hopefully ensuring regulatory success;

• De-risking JBCSC by outsourcing food and beverage operations to experienced hospitality professionals; and

• Investigating modest tourism accommodation - carefully planned, low impact, sustainable - as one of the potential future revenue streams.

Taken together these concepts demonstrate that JBCSC is building a modern, diversified and financially sustainable club model.

The Golf Course

One matter on which the JBCSC Board wishes to provide absolute clarity is the future of the golf course itself. The golf course will remain a golf course in line with the creation of JBCSC Ltd as part of a growing movement by our community to save and protect a green space, not just the golf course. That commitment has been fundamental to the de-amalgamation proposal from its earliest stages and remains unchanged. It is reflected in JBCSC Board's constitutional vision and underpins our commitment to preserving golf as the cornerstone of the precinct while thoughtfully broadening the facilities available to the community.

Our objective has always been to strengthen golf and its long-term sustainability by creating broader sporting and community opportunities around it. Complementary facilities such as pickleball, a children's playgrounds, community gathering spaces and other compatible recreational amenities are intended to enhance the overall community experience while ensuring the golf course remains the defining feature of the precinct.

We believe that protecting the golf course while thoughtfully diversifying the activities that surround it will strengthen both the Club and the wider community, ensuring the precinct remains vibrant, financially sustainable, and valued by future generations.

There is a widely held view that gambling is essential to financial success.

JBCSC has tested this extensively with outside experts. Particularly for small, new start-up clubs that proposition is simply not supported by the advice.

The expert advice to us is that for JBCSC opening with gaming would carry an unacceptably high level of cost and risk. On the basis of that advice, we intend to open without gaming.

JBCSC is choosing a different path

The path we have chosen to commence operations is one strongly built on community participation, diversified income, tourism, sport, hospitality and opportunity rather than dependence on gambling.

There will be a lot of work and consultation to move from plans and forecasts to outcomes on the ground.

Once de-amalgamation is achieved, any significant future initiatives such as outsourcing arrangements, or proposals involving tourism accommodation would require detailed planning and consultation.

In some cases, involving significant decisions approval by the membership of JBCSC is required by law, and that process must be supported by extensive and detailed information to allow members to make informed decisions.

The future direction of the de-amalgamated club will ultimately remain in the hands of its members.

The discussion with the SGBCC Board was frank, honest and well received. We believe it strengthened confidence that the JBCSC Board is approaching this process thoughtfully, responsibly, and with a clear understanding of both the opportunities and the challenges ahead.

As the process continues, we believe it is important that information comes directly from the JBCSC Board rather than through speculation or rumour.

We will continue to share updates at the appropriate time, so our community understands not only where the project stands, but also why certain decisions are being considered.

This project has always been about creating something different, a genuine community club that reflects the aspirations of our region, protects our sporting facilities, provides opportunities for young people, is financially and environmentally strong and sustainable across all avenues of the JBCSC enterprise for generations to come.

While there is still work ahead, the continued support, constructive engagement and encouragement shown by the SGBCC Board gives us confidence that we are moving in the right direction together.