Belair golf course overhaul vision to be set out in new masterplan
More than two years after Belair’s golf course closed, a masterplan to breathe new life into the overgrown 50ha site is nearly finished. Here’s what is planned so far.
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A new masterplan for Belair National Park’s defunct golf course is expected to be complete by the end of the year, as about $300,000 will be spent on park upgrades.
The State Government has announced it will consult locals through a new community reference group to form a vision for the golf course land, two-and-a-half years after the Belair Country Club closed.
A redevelopment of Old Government House, a new kitchen for the Friends of Belair National Park, weed control and new signage will also be completed after $310,000 was earmarked for the park.
The Belair Park Country Club and golf course went into administration in January 2018.
At the start of the last fire danger season, Hills residents raised serious worries about overgrown grassland at the abandoned country club.
That followed the government receiving 13 expressions of interest in its call for new ventures at the 50ha site, narrowing them down to four applications and flagging more consultation.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS SITE? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW
The ideas included a mountain biking hub, soccer club base, sustainable trail design and construction education centre and “recreational hospitality-based endeavour”.
Environment Minister David Speirs said the EOI process did not result in proposals that would see full use of the precinct, so the government was embarking upon a master planning process to ensure it made best use of the land.
“The master plan will look to include the proposals which emerged through the EOI process but will also look at other work required to improve the site such as new visitor facilities and any remediation or revegetation works,” Mr Speirs said.
The State Government says $310,000 funding from the Federal Government, as part of the $551 million Adelaide City Deal, will help pay for other upgrades.
“The restoration works at Old Government House, the new kitchen for the friends group, improved signage as well as the master planning process will help breathe new life into the area,” Mr Speirs said.
Belair local Joff Medder, vice president of downhill biking group Inside Line, hoped the masterplan would feature new riding trails and said it was big enough to accommodate a range of other uses such as soccer fields and adventure activities.
He said the country club was still an ideal spot to host weddings and other functions, and hoped to see the site developed soon.
“There’s great possibility there and there’s some great private entities coming in to spend money and build something there but the longer the government leaves it these people are going to burn themselves out and go and do something else,” Mr Medder said.