Residents fear closed Helensvale Golf Club turned into residential development

THE closure of a Gold Coast golf course on council-owned land has sparked calls from locals to demand city hall put a ban on developers taking on the site.

The club closed last week.

MEMBERS and nearby residents of the defunct Helensvale Golf Club want council to ignore potential advances from developers to turn the expansive ratepayer-owned block into housing.

The club closed last week after its leaseholder, Jigsaw Community Services, went into liquidation.

Helensvale Action Group Inc secretary Ann Rushton called on council to consult residents before a decision is made of the 16-hectare block.

“Our concerns are the golf course ceases to operate and the land be put to other uses such as residential development,” Ms Rushton said.

“The population of Helensvale is increasing with a lot of development. It is really important that the recreational facilities in the area remain open.”

The entrance to the Helensvale Golf Club.

The 42-year-old club is the only council-owned golf course on the Gold Coast after it was taken into ownership in 2013.

Jigsaw Community Services were assigned the lease until 2019.

The land has previously been mooted by council as a potential new home for the Gold Coast Show, The Queens Park Tennis Club and a pony club.

Liquidator Ian Currie, from BRI Ferrier, said the club would remain closed as they await a decision from council.

“The club won’t be reopening by the liquidator,” Mr Currie said.

“(Council) are going to keep on mowing the greens to keep it maintained as they decide what to do.”

Mr Currie said many of the club’s outstanding debts were unlikely to be paid off.

“After all the assets are realised there should be a dividend to employees, (but) there is no money to pay the staff (for now).”

The cash strapped Helensvale Golf Club faces an uncertain future.

Council officers met with liquidators this week and will next week provide initial advice to council.

However, the council will not hold a meeting to discuss the club’s future until at least April 30 due to a scheduled break during the Commonwealth Games period.

Area councillor William Owen-Jones has denied the club would be turned into residential development.

“The land is not zoned to enable for that to happen because a majority of the course is below the Q100 floodline,” he said.

Cr Owen-Jones said he had received interest from “numerous third parties” wishing to take over the lease.

“The long-term future of the club will be a decision of the full council at the end of April.”