Albert Park master plan a win for cyclists, but golfers set to lose out

ONE of Victoria’s most popular golf clubs could be sliced up to make way for public space, and roads around Albert Park lake face closure to cars under a Parks Victoria plan.

A pedestrian footbridge has been proposed for Albert Park lake. Picture: Hamish Blair

ROADS around Albert Park Lake could be shut to motorists to make way for cyclists and a popular golf club carved up under a plan to revamp the popular Melbourne precinct.

Part of Albert Park Golf Course could be turned into a major events space and a “putt putt’’ course for children under a blueprint being considered by the Andrews Government.

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A pedestrian footbridge over the lake, beamed to TV screens around the world during the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix, has been proposed.

And a lakeside promenade modelled on “The Tan’’ track around the Royal Botanic Gardens, new wetlands, a boardwalk and improved picnic and fitness facilities have been suggested.

The Albert Park draft Master Plan also proposes moving the popular Albert Park Driving Range, to increase space for more sporting grounds in the precinct.

And, in a move golfers fear will slice their fairways in half, it suggests reducing the golf course from 18 holes and putting the land to other use.

A map of the proposed changes in the Albert Park Master Plan.

Lakeside Gold Club president Wayne Carroll said it was “a slap in the face’’.

“It’s come as a huge shock ... they want to turn it into a Mickey Mouse course by cutting it from 18 holes to nine holes and sticking a driving range in the middle,’’ he said.

“It’s an amazing asset for Melbourne and they should be enhancing it, not degrading it.’’

Albert Park Driving Range manager David Tapping said the move to relocate the centre which attracts 140,000 golfers a year would be challenged.

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“We had no inclination such significant changes were afoot, it came as a surprise,’’ he said.

“Golf is the big loser in the master plan.’’

The plan calls for temporary road closures on weekends, public holidays and “non-peak periods to provide a car-free environment for cycling and community use’’.

The speed limit for Lakeside Drive would be reduced from 60km/h to 40km/hr at times when cars are permitted entry.

Roads around Albert Park could be closed to cars to make way for cyclists. Picture: David Caird

Albert Park Labor MP Martin Foley said the plan would help ensure the park met the long-term needs of Melburnians and visitors.

“We strongly encourage the community to have a look at the draft master plan and provide their input,’’ he said.

“This is about improving the Park to ensure it best meets the needs of the community and wider Melbourne.”

The pedestrian bridge would allow people to cross the lake from east to west and be designed to offer striking views of the city skyline as well as allowing clearance for sailing and rowing.

A new major events area has been proposed on land that currently forms the northern extent of the golf course, near MacRobertson Girls High School.

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