Peregian Golf Course for sale as councillor addresses zoning fears

A Sunshine Coast councillor has addressed concerns about potential rezoning after a major retirement firm put a prime golf course site up for sale in an exclusive estate.

Rezoning fears have flared up after a prime Sunshine Coast golf course was placed on the market.

A Sunshine Coast councillor has hosed down community concerns that zoning could change in Peregian Springs as the suburb’s golf course hits the market and Aveo also seeks buyers for the estate’s recreation club.

Peregian Springs Golf Holdings has announced it is looking for buyers for the 18-hole, Phil Scott-designed Peregian Golf Course.

A Peregian Springs Golf Holdings spokeswoman said the campaign began on October 28 after “several parties” including industry specialists had approached the owner expressing an interest in buying the golf course.

“In respect of the privacy of other businesses, and to ensure the integrity of the expressions of interest campaign, we are not able to provide the details of interested parties at this time,” she said.

“Peregian Springs Golf Holdings does not have a specific price and we are seeking expressions of interest from purchasers who intend to continue operating the golf course for the benefit of the local community.”

The spokeswoman said the golf course would “operate as normal” during the process.

The Peregian Springs golf course has been placed up for sale. Picture: Patrick Woods

Peregian Springs Golf Holdings is a subsidiary of Aveo.

The course was closed in 2016 after the liquidation of the Peregian Springs Golf Club and was reopened by Golf Services Management that same year.

In 2016, community groups also challenged Aveo’s attempts to change sport and recreation land to residential development.

Sunshine Coast Councillor Maria Suarez said she understood the community was passionate about maintaining the golf course and the recreation club’s zoning as sport and recreation.

“I will continue to support the community in their sentiment,” Ms Suarez said.

Councillor Maria Suarez says she supports the community sentiment and understood the passion about maintaining the golf course and the recreation club’s zoning as sport and recreation.

She said even in the Sunshine Coast Council’s consultation document for the 2024 planning scheme, currently being drafted, there were few changes slated for the area.

“It was clear in the Peregian-Coolum local plan that not much was likely to change,” Ms Suarez said.

Aveo also announced the planned sale of the Ridges recreation club in October after the body corporate voted against taking over ownership of it.

Ridges recreation club at Peregian Springs. Picture: Patrick Woods

Principal body corporate chairman Roger Cook said the sale was “concerning” because there was nothing to stop a future developer from attempting to change the zoning of the recreation club.

“Obviously Maria (Suarez) has given us assurances that the current zoning is sport and recreation but it’s still a concern,” he said.

An Aveo spokeswoman said recently the intention was to find a buyer that had “expertise” in the commercial operation of recreational facilities and that the recreation club would remain close during the process.

Originally published as Peregian Golf Course for sale as councillor addresses zoning fears