The Scouts and Guiding movements in the region look set to reap a multi-million dollar windfall with the pending sale of two prime sites in Gwynneville. Questions are being asked, however, about whether the land, gifted to the organisations decades ago, should remain in community hands.

The adjoining sites in Foley Street close to the Beaton Park Leisure Centre and Weerona Lodge have been offered for sale as one lot with the proceeds of the sale to be split between the Scouts and Guides on a pro rata basis.

Measuring 2,757 square metres, the site is being sold through an expression of interest process with the zoning permitting development of new housing on the land.

The EOI process concluded earlier this month, and it's understood there are several parties interested in the purchase with negotiations currently underway.

While the Guide's hall remains on site, the Scout's building was removed three years ago. The vacant site was used to accommodate site sheds for the redevelopment and upgrade of the nearby Beaton Park tennis courts.

This is the second time the Scout's site has been on the market. Exactly two years ago the sale of the Scout's property fell through at the last minute.

At the time, in April 2023, Core Logic reported that the Scouts long-time base at 41 Foley Street, Gwynneville sold for $2.86 million. Title deeds records showed the property was acquired by the Boy Scouts from Australian Iron and Steel in 1950. A spokesperson for Scouts confirmed that the sale to an out of area buyer fell through.  

This provides the opportunity for both the Guides' and Scout's sites to be offered for sale together for the first time.

Local resident Arnold McLean believes the sale should never have proceeded, and the surplus land should remain in community hands as an extension to the neighbouring Beaton Park Leisure Centre complex.

Arnold says both the Scouts and Guides were effectively "gifted" the land more than 70 years ago "as a benefit to mine and steelworker children after the sale of the federal coke works and Kemira Colliery tramway."

"The Scouts was such a big organisation within the steelworks at that time but times have changed. It's sad it won't remain in community ownership," Arnold said.

In a joint statement from Scouts NSW and Girl Guides NSW, ACT and NT, it was confirmed there had been no sale of the properties to date.

"There has not been an active Scout Group at the site for many years and there is no longer a Scout hall on the site. There are, however, another five active Scout Groups within 5km of this location providing children and young people in the community with opportunities to grow and develop lifelong skills and build resilience," the statement said.

"Girl Guides who currently occupy their hall in Gwynneville are exploring the opportunity to relocate their unit to the Scout Hall in North Wollongong.

"Both Scouts NSW and Girl Guides NSW, ACT and NT reinvest all property sale revenue back into our organisations for the betterment of the Scouting and Guiding movements."

In a statement, Wollongong City Council said it had decided not to participate with an expression of interest for the site but would observe how the process goes.