Oatley RSL Club Property Tenancy - New Tenant - Club Management Opportunity 2031

⁠⁠⁠Future Opportunity summary

The Oatley RSL Sub-Branch limited is excited to offer this amazing (future) opportunity for the lease of the Sub-Branches club property at 23 Letitia Street, Oatley NSW from July 2031.

This tender will go live “become current” from Mid May 2026 with all relevant tender documents made available from that date.

The current opportunity: Lease and operate the Club premises at 23 Letitia Street, Oatley NSW, including members’ facilities, bar, dining, function spaces and associated club services. The successful proponent will be responsible for day to day management, staff, licences, maintenance obligations, community engagement and compliance with all applicable laws and Club policies, compliance with the tenancy lease agreement and upholding the clubs responsibilities with regards RSL NSW values and integrity.

RSL NSW mandates that clubs using the RSL name and logo align with its core values of Good Governance, Respect, Support, and Remember. Clubs, which are separate entities from RSL sub-branches, are expected to uphold the reputation of the League by supporting veteran welfare, camaraderie, and commemoration.

Key Values and Expectations to hold and operate the RSL name and brand:

• Veteran Focus: Ensuring activities serve, support, and honor current and former ADF members and their families.

• Community and Commemoration: Fostering a welcoming environment that promotes remembrance and community connection, such as for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day all whilst fostering a strong community connection.

• Ethical Operation & Good Governance: Adhering to strong governance and aligning with the charitable purpose of the League, as highlighted in the RSL NSW Strategic Plan 2021-2026.

• Brand Integrity: Protecting the reputation and significance of the RSL badge representing service mateship, and compassion through ethical engagement.

Why tender now?

The Oatley RSL Sub Branch is initiating an open tender now for the lease of its club property, effective July 2031, to fulfil its duty to members and the League to manage our property and assets ethically and in accordance with RSL NSW’s Constitution and standard operating procedures, allowing the volunteers and board members of the Sub-Branch adequate time to transition the sub-branches assets and property into a new, long term lease agreement. Early tendering ensures transparent, accountable decision making and allows the Sub Branch to select a tenant who demonstrates integrity, good governance and a commitment to our veterans and community.

Commencing the process well in advance gives a successful proponent sufficient time to develop and cost proposed upgrades, secure financing and obtain necessary statutory and RSL NSW approvals, while also allowing the Sub Branch time to coordinate those approvals. It protects the Sub Branch’s long term lease security and revenue stream, which underpin our charitable activities for members and the community. At the same time, a clear timetable to July 2031 provides the incumbent tenant with reasonable notice to plan, renovate where required and undertake an orderly winding down of operations, enabling a smooth and seamless transition of tenancy.

Key requirements for the new tenant

• Demonstrated experience managing licensed clubs or hospitality venues of comparable scale.

• The Requirement to provide all available club services throughout the life of the lease including food/restaurant services. Sub-letting/sub-contracting will not be approved. All services must be provided under one approved business/brand by the sole tenant. 

• Must honor all current memberships as at July 2031. Must offer military veterans free annual membership. 

• Current and verifiable licences and permits (eg, NSW liquor licence, gaming approvals where applicable).

• Financial capacity and proof of funds to meet lease obligations and initial fit out/working capital.

• Commitment to RSL charitable/community activities and to maintaining member services.

• Commitment and plan for a minimum 30% of all (total) suppliers and vendors supplying the clubs operations, be local Oatley run, operated and based businesses, supporting local community businesses and growth through partnerships and supply contracts. - prospective tenants responding to this Tender must provide a plan of how they will achieve this KPI. 

• Commitment to uphold the values and integrity of the RSL NSW brand and in accordance with the Leagues values.

• Commitment to present and maintain at least 35% of the internal wall space throughout the property with respectful, tasteful RSL/veteran/Military memorabilia/pictures relevant to the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

• Hold appropriate approvals to hold and register RSL Business name and associated IP.

• Compliance with all statutory obligations, workplace health & safety, responsible service of alcohol and gaming regulations.

• Proposed business plan showing service offering, opening hours, staffing model, marketing plan, governance plan and community engagement.

• A detailed submission of proposed club/business name and proposed logo for review and approval by the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch and RSL NSW.

• Commitment to RSL dress standards and a commitment to enforce these standards throughout the club property, year round.

• Commitment to retain as many current staff members (bar/shift manager and below).

• A detailed written proposal of how the club/tenant proposes to operate their business within the club property whilst honouring the service and memory of veterans and families within our community and a detailed plan of how the club/tenant proposes to engage and support the local Oatley community, whether through sporting club sponsorship or support and donations to local community groups and charities. The proposal will be a key KPI within the new, proposed lease agreement for the new tenant.

• Fit out plan, Maintenance plan and proposed capital works (if any), including timeline and funding source.

• A detailed plan of any proposed club board structure and how the proposed board/management structure will interact, report, engage with the future Sub-branch board and members.

• A specific requirement for this tender and future lease will be the requirement for the tenant/club to hold ISO 9001, 45001 compliant systems. The new tenant does not need to hold ISO certification (however that would be highly desirable) however they must demonstrate that they currently use ISO 9001, 45001 compliant systems and provide demonstratable proof of their use. 

• Provide a proposal of how the new tenant will manage and conceal club gaming machines (pokies) within the property ensuring the planned operation of pokies and any forms of gambling/games of chance are concealed within an appropriate area within the club property. The winning tenant will not be approved to operate gaming machines/pokies within the open floor/dining and bar area of the main level and will need to find a more suitable position for the proposed gaming area without major modifications/structural changes to the property. The current location will not be approved. 

• A clear, concise, good governance plan outlining how the club board/management team will ensure good financial and operational governance during its tenancy. This plan will be a key KPI within the new, proposed lease agreement for the winning tenant.

Lease term and commercial details:

• Proposed initial lease term: 10 Years with 5 year option. Subject to RSL NSW approval.

Rent structure: 

• Proposed annual lease value will be the value outlined within the property valuation conducted in April 2026 CPI indexed annually to 2031 plus 5% with a requirement for the property to be valued and a rent review conducted within the first 12 months of the 2031 lease (valuation paid for and conducted by a valuer of the property owners choosing).

• Security deposit / bank guarantee: 12 months prior to the commencement of the lease.

• Fit out and capital works: tenant to propose and, if approved, undertake works in accordance with building and regulatory, council approvals. Council approvals process - This should commence 12 months prior to the commencement of the lease.

Submission requirements Proponents must submit a single document (PDF preferred) including:

1. Cover letter and proponent details (ABN, contact person, address).

2. Executive summary of the proposal, including any key requirements noted within the above "key requirements list".

3. Detailed business plan and operational model.

4. Financial statements and evidence of financial capacity (last 3 years or as available).

5. Proposed commercial offer (rent, incentives, capital contribution).

6. Evidence of relevant licences, insurances and qualifications.

7. CVs of key management personnel and referees for at least two comparable clubs under their direct management.

8. Proposed timeline for transition and commencement of operations.

9. Any proposed variations to standard lease terms or special conditions.

10. Declarations of conflicts of interest.

11. Agreement to undertake a rent review/property valuation paid for by the tenant 12 months following the start of the lease term.

Evaluation criteria Submissions will be evaluated on:

• Suitability and relevant experience of the proponent.

• Strength and realism of business plan and service offering.

• Financial offer and commercial viability.

• Commitment to community, veterans and RSL values.

• Compliance, licences and regulatory readiness.

Tender process and key dates – Subject to change

• Tender release date: Mid-May 2026 (Released 10th May - Current)

• Mandatory briefing / site inspection. 15th July 2026 - 10am – Attendees must email the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch, outlining there intention to attend the site inspection (for catering purposes) oatleysb@rslnsw.org.au.

• Closing date and time for submissions: 01st October 2026.

• Anticipated shortlisting and interviews: 28th October 2026.

• Notification of outcome / award: on or about November 2026 Subject to RSL NSW board approval.

• Proposed commencement date: July 2031

Future - Submission method

• Electronic submissions in PDF format via email to: oatleysb@rslnsw.org.au - Multiple emails for submission are acceptable, please note email number in chain. Dropbox access to submission documents is also acceptable. 

• Hard copy submissions (if required) to: Oatley RSL Sub Branch Limited, PO BOX 279, Oatley NSW 2223

Enquiries and contact

• Tender enquiries and requests for further information should be directed to: "The Board", Oatley RSL Sub Branch Limited, Email: oatleysb@rslnsw.org.au. All enquiries should be made in writing.

Confidentiality and disclaimer

• All submissions will be treated as commercially confidential to the extent permitted by law. The Owner reserves the right to accept or reject any submission, to seek clarification, to negotiate with one or more proponents, or to withdraw the tender at its discretion. No costs incurred by proponents in preparing submissions will be reimbursed. Any and all approvals are subject to RSL NSW board approval. 

Compliance

• Proponents must comply with all applicable Commonwealth, State and Local laws, including but not limited to the Registered Clubs Act and NSW liquor and gaming legislation.

Attachments Provided once tender is live (current)

• Draft lease summary (to be uploaded by legal team shortly)

• Site plan and floor plans (found within valuation documents).

• Current licence information and any existing lease schedules (found within property valuation documents).

• Any particular policies or conditions the Owner requires. (found within lease summary)

• Current property Valuation as at March 2026.

• Current property Title Search.

• Current property floor plan - site survey 

• Annexure - Comparable property market research within the local area/catchment as at April 2026