ALBURY Council would be wise to tread carefully when it considers a planning application for the Black Uhlans clubhouse.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Less than a year after the clubhouse was shut down by police, the Uhlans are looking to relaunch their heavily fortified Townsend St premises as a “function centre”, something which requires council approval.
It would be naive to view this “function centre” as something similar to your local, community-run hall where church groups might hold a cake stall or a venue where you’d hold your daughter’s 21st birthday.
There has been a state and federal crackdown on outlaw bikie gangs in recent years with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission noting they “are one of the most high-profile manifestations of organised crime”.
It’s been well documented that outlaw motorcycle gangs are linked to horrendous criminal activity, including large-scale trafficking of drugs such as crystal methamphetamine, extortion and standover tactics, gross violence, murder and shootings.
Put simply, it’s not something we want in our region.
And if you don’t believe us, it’s worth considering the views of NSW Police in their lengthy submission to Albury Council.
“If the Albury City Council was to accept the application, it would effectively be allowing and enabling a criminal gang to operate a private function centre within the city with legal legitimacy, providing them with the opportunity to commit crime,” the NSW Police submission reads.
“Information available to NSW Police Force suggests that the premises are being used to plan and conduct an organised criminal enterprise.
“By approving the subject application and permitting the use sought, the council may be assisting in enabling the gang to engage in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity through the Albury local government area.”
Albury mayor Kevin Mack said in December the council would deal with the proposal “like any other application”.
Cr Mack, who is also a police officer, said the council “can’t afford to discriminate or distinguish between applications” and that a decision on the “function centre” would be made on a planning basis only.
When it comes to the health and safety of our community, you could argue council can’t afford not to discriminate in this instance.