Geelong council votes unanimously to launch Balyang golf tender process – but there’s a catch

Geelong councillors have thrown their support behind a process they hope will lead to significant private investment – but the operator will be bound to maintain its current offering.

Award-winning architect Lachlan Shepherd is part of the Infiniti Golf group that wants to redevelop the par three Balyang course in Newtown. Picture: Alison Wynd.

A golfing “Disneyland” won’t be built on a prime piece of land nearby the Barwon River after Geelong councillors unanimously backed a clause that requires any redevelopment to maintain the site’s current offering.

City Hall will launch a “request for proposal” process for the par three Balyang golf course site following council’s Tuesday meeting where a “compromise” of modernising the dated facility and retaining the status quo was supported.

“I think the compromise that council is presenting tonight is quite reasonable,” councillor Anthony Aitken said when introducing the motion.

“We still want to adhere to our original strategic objective in terms of (ceasing) management of our golf course facilities, but we’ve listened to the community and made it quite clear that any proposal that comes forward … will require a minimum of nine (par three) holes.

“Disneyland is not going to be built on that particular site because we are putting conditions on it to try to blend and compromise.”

An aerial view of Balyang golf course. Source: City of Greater Geelong.

Balyang member Troy Freeman tabled a petition prior to the vote that called on council to keep the current offering.

Mr Freeman has led the charge on behalf of the club’s 52 members following council’s call out in August last year for “innovative solutions” ahead of a formal lease process that council has now endorsed.

“The course is critical for a lot of people who go down there for exercise, social, mental wellbeing,” he told councillors.

“If it were to be converted into a driving range, they would be left with nowhere else to go.”

Balyang golf course members Thomas McCall and Troy Freeman want the par three offering retained. Picture: Alan Barber.

Two parties have flagged their interest in redeveloping the site, one being the Sharp Group that owns the Curlewis golf course and driving range.

The other group, Infiniti Golf, wants to build a three-level driving bay and mini golf course as part of its $15m plans.

Ron Nelson, whose previous support of council managing the facility has shifted, said he wanted the site to continue to offer 18 holes.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the site was in need of a refresh.

“We’re calling for innovative solutions that make the best use of the space as a golf facility while introducing entertainment elements that attract a broader range of community members,” he said.

A lease of up to 21 years is on offer.

Earlier: Golf course redevelopment to go before Geelong council

The modernisation of golfing facilities on a prime piece of land nearby the Barwon River is edging closer as City Hall prepares to put the call out for redevelopment proposals.

Councillors will debate at their Tuesday night meeting whether to approve a recommendation to launch a “request for proposal” process that would see the Balyang par three golf course site leased for up to 21 years.

It is also recommended that any proposal include a par three course of at least nine holes.

Two parties have already flagged their interest in redeveloping the site, including the Sharp Group that owns the Curlewis golf course and driving range.

The other group, Infiniti Golf, wants to build a three-level driving bay and mini golf course as part of its $15m plans.

A render of the Infiniti Golf facility proposed for the site of the par three Balyang golf course in Newtown. Source: Lachlan Shepherd Architects.

It is unclear whether the requirement to retain a par three component will affect either parties’ interest.

A public consultation process elicited 31 responses, including one from member Troy Freeman who has headed the campaign to keep the current format.

Troy Freeman has spearheaded the campaign to retain the par 3 Balyang golf course. Picture: Alan Barber.

The majority of submissions supported the leasing of the land to enable a redevelopment that must maintain golf as the core product.

Currently managed by the City of Greater Geelong, the operation lost $280,000 in the 2023/24 financial year, a result consistent with previous periods.

The course has 52 members who accounted for 2359 visits in the past year, while green fee visitors accounted for 10,900 visits.

City Hall subsidises each visit by $21.25.

The annual cost of an adult membership at Balyang increased $13 to $438 in council’s draft budget, while a green fee round is priced at $16.50.

Council adopted its golf facilities strategy in November 2022 that committed to third-party management of not only Balyang, but also Lara and Queens Park golf clubs.

The strategy aims to keep council financially sustainable and ensure public access to golf courses remains.

Originally published as Geelong council votes unanimously to launch Balyang golf tender process – but there’s a catch