Cr Murray King is concerned Monday night’s decision to give a green light to the Black Uhlans’ function centre will set a precedent for other applications.

The Uhlans will be allowed to run the function rooms at their closed Townsend Street clubhouse despite strong objections from police.

A police submission had noted that granting the proposal would “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”.

Cr King said he couldn’t understand how his fellow councillors approved it. 

“I have no idea what they are thinking,” he said.

“The council was presented with an 11-page objection by the NSW Police which highlighted 40 points of objection – each of them on their own and in isolation should have been enough to reject the application.”

Car parking concessions were granted for the development. 

Cr King said such concessions should only be given to businesses that “do the right thing” and bring economic development, jobs and social inclusion. 

“This place has a history of non-compliance and bad activity, and what do we do?” Cr King asked. 

“We give them every concession under the sun. 

“We’ve set the bar so low that every developer that comes to Albury will use the ‘Black Uhlans precedent’.” 

Police effectively shut down the site last May during a raid targeting alcohol supply. 

Superintendent Evan Quarmby said the force had to accept the council’s decision. 

“Police exercised their right to raise concerning issues during that process for council to take under consideration, and we have to accept that decision regardless of what weight was given to that submission,” he said.

“We have fulfilled the expectations of the community to make appropriate comment whenever development applications which might have broader implications for the community are being considered.

“We will consider the current and future ramifications of this decision and continue to work with council to ensure the best outcome for the Albury community, not just any individual group within it.

“Any outstanding matters or applications will follow their natural course and will be subject to appropriate scrutiny during that process.”