Helensvale golf course future decided with council backing residents

A POPULAR Gold Coast golf club is back on course with councillors behind closed doors agreeing to find a new operator.

The cash strapped Helensvale Golf Club is to be bought by the Gold Coast City Council.

THE Helensvale golf club is back on course with councillors behind closed doors agreeing to find a new operator.

The Gold Coast Bulletin in a report in late March said the future of the council-owned golf club remained uncertain after its leaseholder, Jigsaw Community Services, went into liquidation.

Liquidators changed locks at the 40-year-old club as golfers were turned away but council has continued to maintain the greens and course.

Area councillor William Owen-Jones has fought for the land to remain a golf club, undertook a letter box drop to keep residents informed and discovered strong support for the community club.

Area Councillor William Owen-Jones who is behind a push by residents to save the Helensvale golf course. Picture: Richard Gosling

He was among the councillors who discussed the item in closed session yesterday at the Evandale chambers at a meeting of the lifestyle and community committee.

A committee recommendation moved by chair Hermann Vorster and seconded by Acting Mayor Donna Gates was carried and calls for a tender to be progressed for the lease of the course and its facilities based on an officer’s report.

The council is to investigate opportunities “to minimise maintenance costs at the site through partnerships in the interim”.

Outside the meeting, Cr Owen-Jones said the committee’s recommendation would be considered by full council on Monday and support by all councillors would see officers launching a procurement program for a new operator.

COAST ENGINEER SAYS COMMUNITY-BASED MODEL WOULD SAVE CLUB

The Helensvale Golf Club is owned by the Gold Coast City Council.

“So within the next two weeks it is hoped that there will be a public notice as well as the parties that have already contacted the city will be notified,” he said.

The tender process would determine the operator with council considering all options including commercial businesses and not-for-profit organisations.

“The decision of the committee is to go to the market to seek a new operator for golf. It’s a good outcome for the local residents and existing players if we’re able to find a satisfactory operator,” Cr Owen-Jones said.

“I would encourage any party interested to keep their eye out for the commencement of the procurement process.”

Cr Owen-Jones confirmed council had received approaches from interested parties which had been forwarded to city officers.

Residents support having a golf course in Helensvale. Photo: Regi Varghese

“All parties are going to be dealt with equally. The city has been doing basic maintenance on the course (since the liquidation),” he said.

“There are about 700 homes that are either on the course or streets adjacent to the course. There’s about 3000 homes in Helensvale.

“We have about 200 residents who have provided their email details to be kept informed at this stage. There is overwhelming support from the residential base for the course to reopen.”