Noosa Council rejects GemLife’s proposal for Cooroy Golf Club upgrade, retirement village
Hopes of a development to breathe new life into an 85-year-old golf club have been dashed after Noosa Council rejected the $130 million project.
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Hopes of a development to breathe new life into an 85-year-old golf club have been dashed after Noosa Council rejected the $130 million project.
Cooroy Golf Club members overwhelmingly supported GemLife's bid to build a retirement village adjoining the club.
GemLife also proposed to build a new golf course club house with car park, dedicated pro shop, restaurant, cafe, function room, outdoor deck and terrace area.
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But the council last week refused the application on planning grounds and due to concerns it would not fit in with the area's character.
It is unknown if the company will appeal the decision, with a spokesman confirming on Monday that GemLife is reviewing its options.
Cooroy Golf Club secretary Andrew Dick said the club was disappointed with the decision.
The proposal gained 396 submissions with 348 in support, mainly from golf club and the Noosa World Surf Reserve members.
Mr Dick said with 400 members, the club was financially viable but not in a position to improve facilities.
He said a new clubhouse could cost up to $3m.
"We can't generate enough money to progress, like to have a new clubhouse," Mr Dick said.
"We're just plodding along."
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Mr Dick said by rejecting the project the council was missing out on economic benefits including new job opportunities.
He said if approved the club could have hosted weddings and other functions and sold meals.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of rejecting the application on 19 grounds.
They agreed the project was not consistent with zoning or local and state government plans, would adversely affect agricultural land and was at odds with the rural character of the area.
At last Tuesday's planning and environment committee meeting councillor Joe Jurisevic said that the upgrade of the golf course was not a good enough reason to approve a project not in line with the Noosa Plan.
Originally published as Noosa Council rejects GemLife’s proposal for Cooroy Golf Club upgrade, retirement village
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