Chatswood Golf club’s $107m retirement complex, new clubhouse approved

A north shore golf club has been given approval to undergo a massive $107 million redevelopment on a list of conditions handed down by planning officials. See what’s been approved:

A north shore golf course is set to be transformed with plans for a multistorey retirement complex site and new clubhouse given the green light.

After four years in planning, Chatswood Golf Club will be able to push ahead with construction of a 106-unit retirement complex along with a new club building and facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, bistro, salon, library and a cinema following approval by the Sydney North Planning Panel this week.

The $107.3 million development will involve demolishing the current clubhouse and carpark on the eastern edge of the course to make way for three separate buildings standing up to five storeys tall.

A concept plan of the development

The project will feature a retirement complex with “serviced self-care” units funded and operated by Watermark Living, which currently runs similar facilities in Castle Cove and Freshwater.

The new four storey clubhouse building will be able to be used by residents in the seniors complex alongside club members and visitors to the site.

Early plans for the project stated the club had been “trading at a loss” and was at “serious risk of failing” if its development plans were knocked back.

The plans were approved this week.

Club president Alan Hall-Watson said the development approval would ensure the long-term financial viability of the venue.

“Before COVID-19, participation in golf as an activity had been slowing down and like many golf clubs in Sydney, relying on one revenue stream made us vulnerable,” he said.

“Instead of selling off the land, we looked at ways of diversifying and ensuring the club becomes financially viable.

“It means we’ll still be here in another 60 years and beyond.”

The club is one of the largest on the north shore.

Other features of the project include providing a minibus to transport residents to nearby shops and amenities, and planting 650 new trees to offset the 238 that will have to be cut down

The approval comes after objections were raised in public submissions over potential impacts on nearby homes – largely centred on noise, traffic congestion, building height, view loss and biodiversity impacts.

There were also concerns over the club’s plan to store material excavated from the redevelopment to use in future upgrades of the golfing course.

A concept plan of the development

The planning panel, in delivering its decision, noted the “issues of concern” raised by residents but said the potential impacts could be addressed through a list of conditions included in the approval.

Those conditions include a ban on construction vehicles reversing from the site to reduce noise impacts on neighbours.

There were also conditions for the storage of excavated material which will have to be capped at a maximum of 3.5m in height and can be stored for no longer than five years.

Mr Hall-Watson said construction works are expected to begin within the next six months.