Warning as abandoned Arundel Hills Country Club becomes prone to crime

The grounds of an abandoned Gold Coast country club has been plagued by reports of criminal activity. Find out what is being done at the decaying site.

Security has been beefed up at a shut down Gold Coast golf course following reports the abandoned site has become a target for criminal activity.

Since it closed in May, Arundel Hills Country Club has been plagued by reports of dogs attacking kangaroos, intruders and an alleged assault in which it is claimed a woman was strangled and threatened with a golf club.

Last Saturday night, police caught an intruder allegedly trying to steal copper pipes from a building at the site.

Arundel Hills Country Club entrance. Picture: Jesse Hamilton

A police spokeswoman said officers were called to an Arundel Pl business about 2.30am following reports an unauthorised person was on the grounds.

“Officers attended and tracked down a man nearby. He was arrested without incident,” she said.

“A 46-year-old Surfers Paradise man has been charged with one count of trespassing and will front court later this month.”

Area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden said he was aware of several incidents at the site in recent months.

“It’s people there after hours trying to get into the clubhouse or trying to get into the groundskeeper shed,” he said.

“The resident that lives (close-by) has updated me on things.

“He’s often called the police.”

Area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden . Picture Glenn Hampson

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said neighbouring residents had expressed concern to him about activity on the grounds.

“Obviously it’s problematic when there are things getting broken into and causing community angst,” he said.

“There hasn’t been concerns from residents about it extending to other areas.

“Police have been responding well ... they’re definitely aware of the site.”

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said residents should continue to heed messages from police of “lock your cars” and “don’t keep your keys anywhere accessible.”

A spokesman for the property’s Chinese based ownership said a security patrol had been organised in response to the incidents.

Last month, police launched an investigation after a 64-year-old wildlife carer was allegedly strangled and threatened with a club on the grounds.

The volunteer had been on the club’s fairway when she observed a dog chasing kangaroos about noon on September 3.

Kangaroos on the country club’s grounds. Picture: Adam Head

She beckoned the dog and restrained it by the collar, before the person believed to be the dog’s owner approached the carer and allegedly strangled her momentarily.

Police allege the dog’s owner then threatened the 64-year-old with a golf club before walking away.

In June, in an entirely separate incident, Gold Coast City Council started investigating a “disturbing” report of a owner urging their dog to chase and attack kangaroos at the besieged country club.

A council spokeswoman said the investigation had since been finalised.

“On review of the evidence it was determined to be a minor attack and the dog owners were issued a warning,” she said.

“The city is unable to issue fines for dogs off leash on private property.”

Arundel Hills Country Club before it closed in May.

The country club closed shortly after its owner, Zhongsheng Management, was placed in external administration in May.

Prospective developers Dale Carroll, Steven Kleytman and Andrew Barbayannis are in the process of buying the 67ha of land at Arundel Pl. Settlement on the sale of the property had been extended to March 1, 2023 and they are yet to take ownership of the property.

Final plans for the site were expected to be lodged with the council by late September, but the prospective developers have since delayed this to late October.

Originally published as Warning as abandoned Arundel Hills Country Club becomes prone to crime