Revealed: Driving range, mini golf, clubhouse planned for Gledswood Hills golfing club in $45m overhaul

A southwest Sydney golf club designed by golfing great Greg Norman is embarking on a multimillion dollar expansion – but the project has sparked concerns by a local council over impacts on colonies of endangered bats. See what’s planned.

An aerial photo of the $45m development plan.

A southwest Sydney golf club designed by golfing great Greg Norman is embarking on a multimillion dollar revamp in a move aimed at providing more recreation space for the region’s booming population.

A new golf driving range, a 27 hole mini golf course and a clubhouse are among features of a $45.2 million proposal to redevelop The Greens Golf Club in Gledswood Hills.

The development – led by Wests Group Macarthur – would include 56 driving range bays, and a two storey registered club to be known as ‘The Greens’ that would have a golf pro shop, cafe, sports bar and bistro areas, gaming facilities and a kids play area.

The new facilities would be built alongside the existing nine hole golf course at the site which was designed by Greg Norman and backs on to new housing in the fast-growing suburb including the El Caballo Blanco and Gledswood Precinct development areas.

A concept image of the development.

Golfing great Greg Norman in Gledswood Hills late last year launching his new real estate venture – Norman Estates which includes 190 homes and a 9 hole golf course. Picture: Rohan Kelly

A concept image of the new clubhouse.

But the release of the plans has prompted concerns over impacts on local wildlife including from 48m tall driving range netting to be installed.

Camden Council has raised concerns the height of the netting could impact flying wildlife such as bats – and has also called for more details about impacts of lighting, operating hours, and traffic congestion.

Plans stated environmental studies which compared the netting to similar netting at two Victorian golf courses found there “was no negative effect on fauna”.

Camden Council has raised concerns over the height of proposed netting.

“In fact the birds learned very quickly to use it as a perch as the netting is soft,” the plans stated.

“Where birds do inadvertently hit the netting, they do so without injury and do not get caught.”

Plans stated the development would provide key recreation and social infrastructure for the growing needs of the area.

A concept image of the development.

“(The development) will expand on the club’s sporting history and current facilities, positioning to better meet the needs of the current member-base and the emerging growth and development of the surrounding community,” the plans stated.

“It will also establish a key recreational and social infrastructure destination for the needs of the intensifying suburban corridor.

“The appeal of the facility (is also) expected to have reached beyond the local community, with wide-ranging engagement connecting with a broader population.”

The plans include new landscaping works.

Other features of the proposal include new lighting, and carparking spaces for 447 vehicles, new drainage, access road, and landscaping works.

A total of 21 trees at the site would be removed from the site as part of the development.

Wests Group Macarthur Chief Executive Officer Daniel Perkiss said the proposal would be a

local meeting point for the community.

“This could be a family mecca for the growing young family demographic of Camden,” he said.

“We wanted to introduce a destination facility that provided premium food and entertainment, an exceptional kids’ play area, an outstanding putt-putt experience to support the driving range and 9-hole golf course.

“The Putt Putt will offer an oasis-style mini-course with lush vegetation, water features and shade for social gatherings, birthday parties, and affordable family fun”.

The plans have been referred to the Sydney Western City Planning Panel and are currently under assessment.