Plans for a childcare centre catering to 165 children at 443 Willoughby Road have been approved. For nearly two years, Willoughby City Council was fighting company Think Planners on the decision to alter the former site of the Willoughby Squash Centre. The public facility has been in the Willoughby community for close to 50 years.
Council argued that the location is subject to flooding and traffic gridlock during peak hours at the intersection of Small Street and Willoughby Road.
The matter was brought to the Land and Environment Court, where the court determined in early December that the development application was the be approved.
Community action group, Keep Squash in Willoughby, has obtained nearly 2,700 signatures petitioning Willoughby Council to preserve the facility. The group are vocally concerned for the site as it is the last remaining location for indoor racquet sports on the North Shore.
‘This is a deeply disappointing moment for the squash community in Sydney…. We need to find a way to keep squash in Willoughby, and that means not allowing for a significant gap in court availability, which would be disastrous for all the squash, racquetball, and table tennis players in the area,’ said Keep Squash in Willoughby member Michelle Martin.
‘It’s so important for our community that we keep squash in Willoughby. I call on the developer and Council to work towards this essential aim for our area. The current site with its facilities, history and location in a local sporting hub is ideal and should be maintained,’ said Tim James, Member for Willoughby.
‘With rising density, safeguarding local recreational infrastructure has never been more important… it helps kids make friends, families connect, and neighbours stay active. Losing it would leave a real gap in local sport and community life,’ said Nicolette Boele, Member for Bradfield.
