Strathallan Golf Club bunkers down in fight for survival as La Trobe Uni plans to end lease

HUNDREDS of golfers in Melbourne’s north are joining forces to petition for the survival of their club but La Trobe Uni which owns the land is refusing to budge.

Peter Roberts and Archie Hodgson at Strathallan Golf Club. Picture: Stuart Milligan

A CAMPAIGN to save Strathallan Golf Course is gaining steam with a petition against development garnering more than 1000 signatures.

But La Trobe University is standing firm and will not renew the Bundoora club’s lease past 2018.

Club president Peter Roberts said the closure of the 60-year-old club would affect hundreds of people.

RELATED: Strathallan Golf Club faces uncertain future as uni decides to end lease

“We’ve got people in their 70s and 80s playing and it’s a significant contribution to their quality of life,” he said.

Strathallan Golf Course was founded in 1957 on land formerly used by the Larundel mental hospital.

La Trobe University bought the land in 1996 and has leased it to the golf club since then.

Supporters say the course serves as an important buffer for a nearby wildlife reserve, providing sanctuary for kangaroos and other native animals.

They fear the university plans to sell the land for residential development.

Mr Roberts said his petition had gained more than 1000 signatures and would be presented to La Trobe University next month.

La Trobe University spokesman Tim Mitchell said the decision not to renew the lease was made years ago.

“We’ve given the club plenty of notice so they have enough time to make alternative arrangements,” he said.

“We will be commencing community consultations in the coming months on the future of the site, including local views on maintaining the environmental value of the site.”

Bundoora state Labor MP Colin Brooks is a strong supporter of Strathallan and circulated Mr Roberts’ petition last month.

Darebin City Council passed a motion in February in support of the golf course remaining undeveloped.