Cumberland Golf Club sparks mixed reactions over $160m seven storey housing development plan

A Sydney golf club has ignited debate among locals over its plan to build a seven storey housing complex on its golfing greens with opponents labelling the development a “visual eye sore” that could impact property prices, cause traffic congestion and noise.

A concept photo of what the development would look like.

Residents are teeing off over multimillion plans by a western Sydney golf club to build a seniors living complex on its golfing greens with opponents labelling the development a “visual eye sore” that could cause traffic mayhem in surrounding streets.

Cumberland Country Golf is facing opposition to a $160.3 million project to build 234 seniors independent living dwellings and a 38-bed aged care facility at the northern end of the golfing club in Greystanes.

The major project – classified as a ‘state significant development’ – would have six buildings standing between five to seven storeys.

Other features of the development include a new three-storey clubhouse, cafe, consulting rooms and wellness spaces.

Plans stated the development would address the ageing state of facilities including the main clubhouse building which dates back to the 1960s.

The development would overlook the club’s golfing greens.

Club president Denis Clifford said the development would also address rising operating costs fuelled by inflation.

“We’re an ageing club in the 60s and its need of significant upgrades and repairs and the development will guarantee we’re still around in years to come,” he said.

“A lot of other golf clubs are looking at (similar proposals) to shore up their future.”

A concept image of the development.

The proposal has generated a mixed response from locals with critics taking aim at the bulk and scale of the development.

Resident Victoria Rupnik believes the surrounding suburb lacks the capacity to handle the influx of residents and said the multi-story buildings “were incongruent with the character of the area.”

“It’s a country club, not a city club,” she wrote in a submission.

The plans have been lodged with the Department of Planning.

Another submission described the development as “way too big” for Greystanes while another local stating “nothing comes close to this size within the community.”

Resident Joe Cuschieri said the height of the development near homes could also cause privacy impacts and change the character of the local area.

Long-term club member John Kiddle has supported the development, saying it would help cement the long-term viability of the club.

The development proposal would include new landscaping works.

Fellow club member Alan Storey said the development would also address a decline in golfing members at the club.

“Without this injection of funds from the project and the income it will generate on an annual basis, the club would almost certainly close at some time in the future,” he said.

As part of the development, the club’s existing golf course would undergo a reconfiguration to maintain an 18-hole layout for the club’s 2600-members.

An overview of the development, showing where the buildings would be located.

Transport for NSW – in a submission to the Department of Planning which is assessing the proposal – stated the expected traffic generated from the development would “not have a detrimental impact on the surrounding road network”.

According to the plans, the project would address the ageing demographics in the local area which is anticipated to increase 95 per cent over the next 20 years.

A concept image of the development.

The development, if approved, would generate 810 construction jobs with 80 direct ongoing jobs once completed, according to planning documents.

Other concerns raised by residents have included objections to the loss of 167 trees, impacts on property prices, and construction noise.

The proposal remains under assessment by the Department of Planning.