North Narrabeen residents have largely come out against a proposal to subdivide the former Narrabeen RSL Club site into 17 residential lots, with objections centring on flood risk, increased traffic, and the impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.
Read: Community Invited to Weigh In on 17-Lot Plan for Former Narrabeen RSL Site
Northern Beaches Council is assessing a development application for the 1.88-hectare Nareen Parade property, which would create 17 standalone residential blocks and a community playground on the site. The public submission period closed on 22 April.
Flood Risk and Traffic Among Residents’ Concerns
A number of submissions raised concerns about the proposal, though some residents acknowledged support for new housing in the area in principle.
Flooding was among the concerns raised in submissions. The Nareen Creek Flood Study identifies land around the former club site and the low point on Tatiara Crescent as a floodway subject to substantial overland flow, with properties downstream between Tatiara Crescent and Nareen Parade also identified as significantly affected.
A number of residents raised questions about whether the proposed drainage and flood management measures would be sufficient for a development of this size.
Increased traffic on local backstreets and environmental impacts have also been noted in submissions.
The statement of environmental effects lodged with the application states that the residential lots have been designed to manage flood hazard and that the subdivision layout seeks to minimise impacts on native trees where possible. Vegetation restoration across the site is also proposed as part of the development.
A Club That Closed After Covid Financial Hits
The Narrabeen RSL Memorial and Recreation Club, known locally as “The Razza”, opened in 1947 and operated for more than seven decades as a popular community hub on the Northern Beaches, known for its live music scene and bar. The club had approximately 3,500 members before its closure.
The COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on the club’s finances. Repeated lockdowns reduced patronage and revenue, and state government restrictions on singing and dancing in venues during the Omicron wave made recovery difficult. The club closed in February 2022 and entered voluntary administration shortly after.
The Narrabeen RSL sub-branch, which owned the premises, listed the property for sale in July 2024. As a branch of RSL NSW, the sub-branch noted its charitable obligations to generate income to support veterans and their families as a factor in the decision to sell.
Read: Property Developer Plans Housing Estate on Former Narrabeen RSL Site
The Northern Beaches Planning Panel approved demolition of the complex in June last year. The buildings were subsequently demolished.
The application is listed on the Northern Beaches Council ePlanning portal under DA reference 2723221.
Featured image: Aerial photo of site (Photo credit: Northern Beaches- DA2026/0264)
Published 29-May-2026
