![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/02\/AnhistoricphotoofBan_17957.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Sydney based conglomerate, which merged with the club in 2022, closed the venue with little warning in October, citing the poor condition of the clubhouse, ongoing financial losses and an unsustainable trading outlook.<\/p>\n
More than 200 people recently responded to a stakeholder survey created by the steering committee to share their views on options relating to the future of The Bowlo.<\/p>\n
Over 70 per cent of respondents supported The Bowlo being returned to community ownership, with a direct buy back from Norths the number one preference.<\/p>\n
The second ranked option, with nearly 56 per cent support, was to continue direct negotiations with Norths on the “pathway to community ownership”.<\/p>\n
Opening expressions of interest for amalgamation ranked third at nearly 40 per cent, while restarting a public, media or legal campaign attracted lower support at nearly 35 per cent.<\/p>\n
Detailed survey findings have been presented to the Bangalow Advisory Committee, comprising club members Jason Dwyer, Sean Fogarty, Beck Harwood, Jo Tracey and Denise Woolsey, who were appointed in October to represent all members in ongoing negotiations with Norths.<\/p>\n
Schofield said the closure of the Bowlo last October had left a huge hole in the community, but it was important to follow due process.<\/p>\n
“The steering committee is very committed to making sure that thorough evaluations of what’s on the table are undertaken so we don’t get into the same situation again,” she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Bowlo in Bangalow has moved a step closer to being saved from developers after Byron Shire Council unanimously voted to support an independent heritage assessment of the club. Council is now preparing a planning proposal to amend the Local Environmental Plan to include Bangalow Bowling Club, which opened in 1910, as a heritage item. […]<\/p>\n