Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan tees off with an exciting leisure vision

The development of a championship-standard golf course in Central Qld alongside a range of other tourism, adventure and leisure activities has taken an important step forward.

The layout for the proposed Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan.

The development of a championship level golf course at Gladstone alongside a range of other tourism, adventure and leisure activities took an important step forward on Tuesday, February 18 with preliminary approval of its master plan.

Gladstone Regional Council gave Yaralla Sports Club a change of use tick for its Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan which includes a mini golf and driving range, access to wetlands, food and drink outlets, function facility, markets venues and a tourist park.

A council officer’s planning report advises that Clava Limited, trading as Yaralla Sports Club, owns and operates the existing Gladstone Golf Club in Kin Kora but strong membership growth to about 100,000 people, has compelled it to find a more suitable home away from pressing urban interface issues.

The club house and tourist park for the proposed Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan.

It faces ongoing challenges with golf balls landing on nearby roads, house yards and shopping centre carparks, forcing the club to ban the use of drivers off several holes and which preventing it from having a championship-level 72-par course.

The proposed development involves relocating the golf club to a new 58 hectare site, offering more space to address these issues, establish a new course and incorporate additional facilities like minigolf, pool and leisure options and equipment.

“This move aims to provide a purpose-built outdoor sport and recreation facility that will better serve the community and visitors of all ages, while enhancing both the golf course experience and supporting amenities,” the report said.

“To be clear, this development application does not necessitate the closure of the existing golf course, nor can it lawfully require that use area.”

The development application received unanimous support from the council table but it was stressed that the proposal still has a long list of conditions to deal with before it progresses to construction stage.

The precinct plan for the Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan.

Cr Simon McClintock said the development was a “really necessary and exciting opportunity” for the Gladstone community.

He encouraged council officers to keep working with Yaralla Sports Club.

“Ensure them we are taking them on the journey to see success, not to make it so hard that they do it somewhere else or don’t do it at all,” he said.

“It’s going to be a fantastic asset to our community for many reasons.”

Mayor Matt Burnett also praised the Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan but said the other issue was to make sure that changes to the current Yaralla Sports Club and golf course site were handled with the surrounding community in mind.

“Council has to work closely with Yaralla to make sure whatever happens that protects some of the green space and allows future development to happen at the same time,” he said.

“The only way that can happen is if council is involved.”

The location and surrounds for the proposed Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan.

Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan includes:

• Outdoor sport and recreation (golf course including mini golf & driving range) The use may include ancillary food and drink outlet(s) and the provision of ancillary facilities or amenities conducted indoors such as changing rooms and storage facilities. Examples include Driving range, golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, football ground, cricket oval.
• Wetlands environment facility. Facilities used for the conservation, interpretation and appreciation of areas of environmental, cultural or heritage value. Examples include Nature – based attractions, walking tracks, seating, shelters, boardwalks, observation decks, bird hides.
• Food and drink outlet. Premises used for preparation and sale of food and drink to the public for consumption on or off the site. The use may include the ancillary sale of liquor for consumption on site. Examples include Bistro, café, coffee shop, drive – through facility, kiosk, milk bar, restaurant, snack bar, take – away, tearoom.
• Function facility. Premises used for conducting receptions or functions that may include the preparation and provision of food and liquor for consumption on site. Examples include Conference Centre, reception Centre.
• Market Premises. used for the sale of goods to the public regularly, where goods are primarily sold from temporary structures such as stalls, booths or trestle tables. The use may include entertainment provided for the enjoyment of customers. Examples include Flea market, farmers market, car boot sales.
• Tourist park. Premises used to provide for accommodation in caravans, self – contained cabins, tents and similar structures for the public for short term holiday purposes. The use may include, where ancillary, a manager’s residence and office, kiosk, amenity buildings, food and drink outlet, or the provision of recreation facilities for the use of occupants of the tourist park and their visitors, and accommodation for staff. Examples include Camping ground, caravan park, holiday cabins.

Originally published as Byellee Waters Golf Course Master Plan tees off with an exciting leisure vision