Arundel Hills Golf Club: Fate of closed golf club revealed
Gold Coasters have called for the dilapidated Arundel Hills Golf Club to be retained as green space, despite plans to redevelop it into a residential complex.
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Gold Coasters have called for the dilapidated Arundel Hills Golf Club to be retained as green space, despite plans to redevelop it into a residential complex.
Prospective developers Dale Carroll and Steven Kleytman met with area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden on Monday to discuss the club’s future.
Fellow development partner, Melbourne barrister Andrew Barbayannis, was not present.
The partners 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.
Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said: “During this meeting, concepts were floated, concepts that sought a substantially residential outcome for the site and they have no plans to retain a golf course in any form, they have no plans to re-open any of the facilities.
Bulletin readers had mixed feelings about the proposal.
Jon and Lou wrote: “ Save the green space for Gold Coasters and wildlife the destruction of our showgrounds and local Koalas is disgraceful.”
David wrote: “It was a private golf course not like it is public open space. people cry that there’s a housing shortage then when it is suggested they transform this large tract of vacant land (which has already been stripped of natural vegetation & bombarded with chemicals) they object?! we need more housing people! sorry to the people who lose their gold course views but they’re probably the only ones objecting.”
Steve wrote: “Time has moved on. A golf course is clearly not financially viable. Why not mandate affordable housing with green space buffers to adjoining residences. Common sense required rather than being constrained by the planning scheme.”
GONE FOREVER
The dilapidated Arundel Hills Golf Club will not reopen as talks begin to turn it into residential properties.
Prospective developers Dale Carroll and Steven Kleytman met with area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden on Monday to discuss the club’s future.
Fellow development partner, Melbourne barrister Andrew Barbayannis, was not present.
The partners 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.
Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said the form of the site’s redevelopment was uncertain, as a push to convert it into a housing estate conflicted with the City Plan.
“During this meeting, concepts were floated, concepts that sought a substantially residential outcome for the site and they have no plans to retain a golf course in any form, they have no plans to re-open any of the facilities,” he said.
“City officers clearly raised that the area was zoned for sport and recreation, and that residential outcomes of the scale floated by them conflicted with the City Plan.
“City Officers were of the strong opinion that the intended use of the site should be for sport and recreation.”
Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said he would follow community sentiment in forming his own opinion.
“Residents have made it very clear to me their desire is for the site to remain as open, green space; raising concerns regarding wildlife, traffic, amenity, views, property values among many others,” he said.
“It should be noted that proponents cannot be prohibited from making an application for the site, regardless of any conflict with the City Plan. However, any application that is made would then be assessed by city planning officers against the City Plan and The Planning Act.”
The Arundel Hills Country Club was placed in administration in late May. Graham Killer, of Grant Thornton, was appointed administrator.
The club had been dogged by complaints from members about the poorly-maintained facilities, and it made headlines after a woman was injured by a kangaroo this year.
Long-time golfers and club members were disappointed and furious by the sudden closure. Some said they had recently paid their annual fees.
Property records showed Zhongsheng Group paid $13.5m for the course in 2015. It included its clubhouse and development land.
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