Why collapsed Arundel Hills Country Club on Gold Coast is buzzing with activity

Residents are worried a run-down Gold Coast golf club will be radically redeveloped – and the latest movements on site will only deepen their concerns. LATEST ON THE CLUB

Surveyors have moved in on the dilapidated Arundel Hills Country Club just weeks after plans to develop it into a residential complex were revealed.

Workers were spotted at the site on Monday and appeared to be drilling for soil samples.

Area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden said he was told the workers were conducting a geotechnical survey of the land.

“They’re seeing what the ground is like and what can be done on it, essentially,” he said.

Prospective developers Dale Carroll, Steven Kleytman and Andrew Barbayannis are in the process of buying the 67ha Arundel Place property after the company behind the club, Zhongsheng Management, was placed in external administration in May.

Entrance to Arundel Hills Country Club. Picture: Jesse Hamilton

A settlement on the sale of the property is expected on September 1.

A plan has been floated for the site to be transformed into a residential complex, despite the area being zoned for sport and recreation.

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said a response received from the mayor’s office on Tuesday confirmed a residential development would not be appropriate for the site.

Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Conversion of this recreational space for the purposes of urban residential development would not complement the primary sport and recreation function of the land and is therefore not envisaged to occur in this zone,” a statement from the mayor’s office read.

Local residents have voiced their opposition to the area being developed for housing.

They have called for future owners to retain the golf course and green spaces and upgrade the current facilities.

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Originally published as Why collapsed Arundel Hills Country Club on Gold Coast is buzzing with activity