Geelong council one step closer to finishing its round at Balyang Golf Club in Newtown

In a move that will put a smile on the face of both weekend hackers and wannabe professionals, the facilities on a prime piece of land look likely to be significantly upgraded.

City Hall is looking to modernise the Balyang golf course site in Newtown. Located on council-owned land, interested parties are being encourage to put forward “innovative solutions”. Source: Facebook.

A council-owned golf club is set for a significant transformation that could include a new driving range, mini-golf course, and revamped clubhouse.

City Hall is looking to lease the site of the par three Balyang golf course in Newtown for up to 21 years after previously flagging its intention to cease its management of the facility.

It launched a community consultation phase on Tuesday in an effort to flesh out “innovative solutions” prior to commencing a formal lease process.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the site, which sits adjacent to Balyang Sanctuary on Marnock Rd, was prime for modernisation after opening in 1993.

“Council recognises the outstanding potential of this site and is excited by the prospect of what it could become,” he said.

“I am confident there is a great entrepreneurial spirit within our region and that people will have some wonderful ideas to maximise the value of this space.”

Ideas floated include expanded clubhouse facilities, a driving range with state-of-the-art ball tracking technology, mini-golf course, short format golf course, and other entertainment features.

A key term of the lease will be that golf remains the key product.

Balyang golf course from above. Source: City of Greater Geelong.

City Hall adopted its golf facilities strategy in November 2022 that committed to third-party management of not only Balyang, but also Lara and Queens Park golf clubs.

Four other council-owned clubs – Barwon Valley, Ocean Grove, Clifton Springs and East Geelong – were already operated by tenant clubs.

The strategy aims to keep council financially sustainable and ensure public access to golf courses remains.

Kardinia ward councillor Ron Nelson said at the time that he thought the strategy to “get out of golf in Geelong” was “wrong”.

Councillor Eddy Kontelj said golf facilities were increasingly becoming an entertainment outlet, as opposed to strictly sporting venues.

“Fresh and innovative ideas are required to help transform this (Balyang) site into a space that offers something for a broader market,” he said.

The annual cost of an adult membership at Balyang increased to $425 in council’s current budget, while a green fee round is priced at $16.

Golf participation spiked during Covid when a host of other sporting competitions were banned.

Locally, there has been a near 30 per cent increase in membership over the past five years, according to the latest South West Golf Association annual report.

“Once people have a start at it, they get a bit of a bug and they keep going,” president David Smith said.

The community engagement process ends on August 30.

Originally published as Geelong council one step closer to finishing its round at Balyang Golf Club in Newtown