Balgowlah and Warringah named as top bulldozing prospects in council plans to create more sport fields
BALGOLWAH and Warringah golf courses have emerged as the most likely targets of a plan to convert facilities to other sporting grounds.
Manly
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BALGOLWAH and Warringah golf courses have emerged as the most likely targets of a plan to convert facilities to other sporting grounds.
It follows administrator Dick Persson admitting at the last Northern Beaches Council meeting that Mona Vale Golf Club’s lease was renewed a fortnight before the review began.
The District Park plan of Management was postponed pending a review of sporting usage last Tuesday.
The plan would have allowed one body to manage Warringah Golf Course, North Manly Bowling and Recreation Club and the Warringah Recreation Centre areas, with all three leases expiring in August 2017.
It would have guaranteed another 20 years for Warringah golf course.
The review came to a head after the Manly Warringah Pittwater Sporting Union asked the council to look at turning golf land into facilities for other sports.
It cited increased demand for sports grounds and declining golf patronage.
At the meeting, Mr Persson said Mona Vale was not included in the review because it was not flat enough to develop on.
He said all options would be considered, including approaching the State Government to use Crown Land.
“I don’t believe there is a likely prospect that the council would be able to go and buy the sort of land, but I will go back to the State Government,” he said.
Mr Persson said at the meeting he was aware “how emotional it would be for any club that feels like they are in the firing line”.
“It is obviously the case that the Warringah’s lease is not tied up for the next 20 years at the moment so it is possible to consider.
“And it is also possible to consider Balgowlah whose lease is up as well.”
A report will go back to the council next month.
Mr Persson said he hoped it was possible to encourage a number of golf clubs to voluntarily merge. Balgolwah and Mona Vale golf clubs declined to comment.
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