Wardell is preparing for a showdown with the NSW Government over the loss of its much-loved sporting and recreation club — and the fight to secure a new social hub for the flood-hit community.
The Wardell Sport and Recreation Club was requisitioned in the aftermath of the 2022 floods to make way for the temporary housing pod village.
Residents were told the takeover would last no more than two years.
Now, more than three years on, the Wardell Progress Association has learned the NSW Reconstruction Authority is looking to permanently repurpose the site to house residents from Cabbage Tree Island.
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says that’s unacceptable.
“I was at the Wardell Progress Association meeting when residents raised their fears of losing not just their clubhouse but also their sporting fields.
‘They’d been told this would be temporary, and now the goalposts have shifted.
“You can’t just take something from a community and give nothing back,” she said.
A Town Without a Pub or Club
The closure of the Wardell pub has left locals without any regular meeting place.
Aside from occasional “pop-up pub” events run by the Progress Association at the community hall, there is nowhere in the village for people to gather socially over a drink.
“Social connection is vitally important for mental health,” Cr Cadwallader said.
“Without a club, a pub, or a proper recreation space, Wardell has lost a vital outlet.
“People need somewhere to go at the end of the week, to meet their neighbours, play a game of darts or cards, and share a beer.”
Built by Volunteers, Taken by Government
The Wardell Recreation Club was not just another building. It was established in the mid-1980s by townspeople who literally built the grounds with their own hands.
Cane farmers and earthmovers cleared the land, volunteers laid out cricket and football fields, and families cooked barbecues to fuel the effort.
More than 120 residents chipped in $100 each to raise funds, and one local family even mortgaged their home to finish the clubhouse.
Over the decades, the venue became the beating heart of the town, hosting cricket, rugby league, netball, tennis, golf, and countless community events.
Now, residents say all of that has been stripped away.
Mayor’s Call to Action
Cr Cadwallader says she will take the issue to the next Ballina Shire Council meeting, pushing for the state government to identify land and fund a new facility.
“Yes, we are in a housing crisis, and yes, the pod village has served an important purpose.
“But if the government intends to keep the site, then they must deliver a new clubhouse and sporting space for Wardell. Anything less is unjust.”
She says the situation reflects a broader frustration in smaller towns.
“Wardell has carried a heavy burden from the floods, yet it feels like the community is always last in line for support.
“Council has invested a lot in Wardell over the past few years and now is the time for state government agencies to work together and give back what was promised.”
Unacceptable that they would take such a vital piece of community infrastructure but predictable that they would try to pull this. This is the reason why less and less community assets are being built by community volunteers. Community assets such as these have been built in the past by forward thinking community members banding together to create something for their future generations, using volunteer resources and thus belongs to the community. This is a prime example of what can occur when community assets are built on land that they don’t own outright. Crown land is owned by the people of the day not by the government, although it is managed by the government of the day, and should it be up to the community to decide what happens to it. In future less and less volunteer labour and resources will be available to build community assets on land that is not owned directly by the community. The actions of the current government will be a reminder of what can happen to community built resources and very careful consideration should be made before this is allowed to progress. We will see more disconnection by individuals from their communities which is very concerning for the health and vitality of a community such as Wardell.
This story is not 100% correct.
Cabbage Tree Island is currently getting refurbished by Lipmans.
All 20 houses are getting full refurbished.
As a resident in wardell since 2008 we are missing our golf link and sporting club we use to be able to stroll on up and have a nice refreshing drink and spent time with friends of the community we also read on the sign at the front of the grounds that the wardell pod village was only temporary and that the land was to be returned to the state before the pods
Now to have a drink on a friday or saturday we are having to drive into town for this which means you cant drink and drive and money leaves the town
We are truely thinking of leaving the community because of this
There is nothing here anymore
To be honest we need our pub back as well something truely needs to be done here
It would bring so much to wardell if this was renovated
Time something was done
Cause we are sick of it
This story should be on A Current Affair.
Wow love how the community of wardell has alot to say about the residents thats have no homes that are currently staying in pods at the golf course.. yes they were told it was temporary but that is not on them as you all are aware the houses are being rebuilt us had nothing to say about John the pub owner who has refused to open or resell his pub doors would have been open last year or the year before. Try getting him to sell up so us can meet up for a chat and a cold beer after work instead of blaming those who don’t have houses to call home.
I agree whole heartedly. I’ve been a local resident for 6 years and lost our house during the floods. Thumbs up to the Mayor. We are with you all the way in finding a new site and are looking forward to helping to create a new vital community meeting place.