The ACT government has confirmed another twist in the land-swap saga in Griffith to make way for redevelopment of Manuka Oval, which could end the arrangement.
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Earlier this week the ACT Land Development Agency confirmed its memorandum of understanding with Canberra Services Club and Defence Housing Australia to develop a new club and apartments on land occupied by the Manuka Occasional Child Care Centre, near Manuka shops. The government was to allow MOCCA to remain on its site until 2020.
But it has since emerged Chief Minister Andrew Barr told the Kingston Barton Residents Group and Griffith Narrabundah Community Association last month that MOCCA had no reason to relocate, because the services club still owned its site near the oval, and had a temporary club at Barton. Fire destroyed the club's historic premises near the oval in 2011.
At a meeting in May with the community councils, Mr Barr had said MOCCA's relocation was a matter for its board.
The Kingston and Griffith Narrabundah community groups wrote to Mr Barr on June 10 for clarification and are awaiting a response.
An ACT government spokesman said on Thursday evening, "... should MOCCA not want to move from its current site now or in the years ahead, the government will not require it to relocate".
MOCCA director Robby McGarvey said the latest twist was confusing. The centre had been allocated another site behind Griffith shops, but Ms McGarvey said it was unable to take up a loan of $3 million to $5 million to relocate, and would instead push the government for land and accommodation if required to move.
"We think that is fair and reasonable, we should have some support and be able to rely on our local government to support us, we have been here for 53 years," Ms McGarvey said.
Meanwhile, the services club has appointed Colliers International ACT chief executive Paul Powderly to represent its interests.
Some members say they are fed up with waiting for the government to allocate a site, but Mr Powderly has advised them not to end their MOU with the LD A and Defence Housing.
The services club, which has merged with the Canberra Club and has brought the former RUC Club in Barton, remains intent on building a permanent club.
Before heading overseas last month club president Mike Kinniburgh reported to members the club was pressing for the land swap, or construction of a new building on the old club site, which the services club still owned.
Mr Powderly said a specific zoning on the club's site would need a Territory Plan change, which could take years. "I have said to them, talk to your membership if you want to progress the MOU, if you want to progress it we will talk in more detail with the government."
He said if they put the block on the market they would likely face a long wait because of the uncertainty over the oval precinct, which is the subject of an unsolicited bid by Greater Western Sydney Giants Football Club and Melbourne-based developer Grocon.
"Maybe the membership will vote to unload it. That's great - a bird in the hand - but as I said to them, if you can afford it, sit back, you have a block of dirt, you have a MOU, be patient," Mr Powderly said.
Members re-elected five directors at their annual general meeting on Sunday, but will await Mr Kinniburgh's return before electing a president.
A spokesman, Ray Dawson, who is a former director of the Canberra Club, said it was not likely the club would remain on its site near the oval. "We feel the development of the block is not in the best interests of that area, and would probably be better for other purposes," he said.
