Tenders called for Minnippi Golf Course, Brisbane’s first new course in 70 years

It’s been a long, long time coming, but the first golf course ever to be built on Brisbane’s southside has hit a new milestone, and now they’re looking for someone to run it. Here’s what you need to know.

Tenders have been called for potential operators of Brisbane’s first new championship golf course in seven decades, as construction work powers ahead.

The long-delayed 125ha Minnippi Golf Course at Cannon Hill will be the first course ever built on the southside.

Council greenlit the development early last year and a development application was lodged in December for a single-storey clubhouse designed by ARKitecture, as well as a buggy shed, outdoor dining area, reception area, offices, administration section, bar/servery and 80-car carpark.

Artist's impression of the Minnippi clubhouse.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it would be a welcome addition to the city, with Victoria Park Golf Course in Herston closed to make way for a massive inner-city park.

“The plan has always been to deliver another international-quality public golf course somewhere else in the city,” Cr Schrinner said.

“To deliver the Minnippi Golf Course, we need an experienced operator to lease, run, maintain and invest in this premier asset.

“We’re looking for a partner that will foster a great community culture by understanding the needs of local golfers and residents, while maintaining a commercially-viable business that will support local jobs.’’

Cr Schrinner said the facility, due to open to the public mid next year, could even nurture a future medallist at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Aerial view of where the golf course is being built.

BMD Properties Pty Ltd is building the flexible, standard championship-length 18-hole course.

It will also play as two nine-hole courses, or three shorter six-hole course options.

Construction costs will be funded entirely by profits from a five-stage, 12.5ha housing estate behind the new golf course site, which is also being managed by BMD.

The final stage should be finished this year.

The so-called Cannon Hill Community Links Development Project, on Fursden Rd near Cannon Hill Shopping Centre, will be open seven days a week from 7am to 10pm.

Construction is well advanced, including delivering bridges, pathways, building facilities and a carpark.

Layout of the championship 18-hole golf course.

The project was delayed by environmental concerns about the nearby Minnippi wetlands.

Work was supposed to have started in 2017, with completion in 2018, but design changes were needed to meet State Government concerns.

Remediation works were completed in 2016.

The project included enhancement, revegetation and landscaping of 100ha of the site, including squirrel glider habitat remediation works, planting of new trees, and construction of new grasslands and wetlands.

Tenders to run the facility open on September 17 and close on December 8.

Interested applicants can register online at brisbane.qld.gov.au (search “Selling to Council’’).