Plans to build golf course on Lee Point Road, Darwin, revealed

An 18-hole golf course complete with mini golf, a driving range and clubhouse could become the newest addition to Darwin’s northern suburbs. See the plans.

Plans have been submitted for a new golf course on Lee Point Road. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Plans have been submitted to create a golfing mecca in Darwin’s northern suburbs, with greens for keen putters young and old.

Morandini Group, which owns Club Tropical resort and caravan park, has its sights set on expanding its Lee Point Rd complex to include an 18-hole golf course complete with all the bells and whistles.

Planning application documents reveal the group’s vision to build a “recreational hub” with two nine-hole courses, a driving range, mini golf and practice putting and chipping greens.

A club house, pro shop, kiosk and car parks for up to 170 vehicles are also included in the plans, estimated to cost developers about $20m.

Plans to build a golf course at the caravan park on Lee Point Road have been submitted. Picture: NT government

If approved, construction could tee off as soon as April next year with the mini golf course and driving range expected to be the first facilities to open in November 2024.

The first nine-hole course with a total length of 2.2km would then open in April 2025, before the second nine-hole course (3.2km total length) and clubhouse is complete four years later.

“The development of the site is aimed at providing an exciting destination in the Lee Point area for use by the occupants of the adjoining caravan/camping park site and hotel, the northern suburbs community and also the wider Darwin community as a recreational hub for the region,” planning documents state.

The first nine-hole source is expected to be open in April 2025, if plans are approved.

“It is intended to reinforce and increase the existing appeal of the Lee Point peninsula as a tourist destination and for local people in Darwin to visit.

“The project will help provide economic stimulus to the Darwin marketplace both through the initial development/construction works but also from an ongoing basis with staff for the hospitality and recreational outlets of the various venues proposed.”

While the golf course would be near the contentious Defence Housing Australia development, the land is already owned by Morandini Group and much of the land was cleared years ago after prior civil works approvals.

The club house would be among the last facilities to open in the staged multimillion-dollar development. Picture: Savage Architecture

“The development has been designed with due consideration to the environment (with

extensive retention of and revegetation with natural vegetation) and water sensitive design,” the planning documents read.

“Irrigation to the golf course (would be) by reuse of effluent and stormwater harvested from the site and stored in the on-site storage dams.

“There is the opportunity to reinstate natural bushland which will help and reinforce the quality of bushland on adjoining sites while also providing much needed habitat to native wildlife.”

The documents reveal plans to preserve or reinstate natural vegetation have been increased compared to previous applications, due to “concerns raised by environmental groups” and sightings of Gouldian finches in the vicinity of a dam in the southwest corner of the site.

Submissions to the plans can be made here.

Originally published as Plans to build golf course on Lee Point Road, Darwin, revealed