Albert Park golfers fear state government department could carve course up

Golfers at a popular Melbourne course thought they had won a fight against cutting their fairways from 18 to nine. But now they have fresh fears for its future.

GOLFERS at one of Melbourne’s most loved courses fear a State Government department could tear up their fairways despite promising to keep them intact.

Albert Park Golf Course users believed they had won a fight against plans to carve it in half when the Government this year declared it would abandon a proposal to shrink the facility from 18 to nine holes.

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Albert Park golfers Ashley Sievwright, Barry Riordan and Jay Ting are worried the government will cut their course in half. Picture: David Caird

But Parks Victoria meeting notes obtained through Freedom of Information show the ruling may only apply for the current lease terms of the golf course.

A Master Plan for redevelopment of the popular Albert Park precinct — meant to be released publicly mid-year — is also set to remain secret until after the state election.

It has raised fears the course could be cut in two once the lease ends in about 10 years.

Parks Victoria board resolution notes for the Albert Park master plan confirm: “there is no intent for Parks Victoria to initiate changes to the current lease arrangement’’.

But they state “the ability to influence the next golfing offer being in approximately 10 years time’’.

Parks Victoria chief operating officer Simon Talbot said community feedback “overwhelmingly supported” retention of the 18 hole course and confirmed it would be kept during the current lease.

But he said the current golf course operator, which is about halfway through a 21 year lease, would have to negotiate a new deal.

“When the lease expires, a new lease will be offered to the open market for up to 21 years to ensure a fair and equitable process in line with government policy and legislative requirements,’’ he said.

Barry Riordan, Ashley Sievwright and Jay Ting are taking the high ground in saving their golf course. Picture: David Caird

“Tenants can also lodge an expression of interest as part of the open market process.’’

Golf club member Barry Riordan said players wanted clarity and security but suspected a commitment to keep it 18 holes could be ditched once the lease expires.

“Parks Victoria are a law unto themselves,’’ he said.

“They come up with this plan to rip up the golf course … without any prior warning to key stakeholders on what the plan was.’’

Albert Park Liberal candidate Andrew Bond accused the Government of “playing games” with the future of the course.

“We now know the agreement was only to save 18 holes until the current lease on the golf course expires, and the Andrews Labor Government is delaying the release of the master plan until after the election,’’ he said.

He said a Matthew Guy-led government would direct Parks Victoria to begin good faith negotiations with the current lessee of the course, with a view to granting a renewed long-term deal.

The FOI documents reveal Parks Victoria received 828 public submissions about the golf course and 93 per cent were against its proposed changes.

Background notes prepared for the board show Parks Victoria was concerned about its reputation, protest activities and online campaigning due to strong community opposition to its golf course plan.

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