Five Mile Beach course approved by Clarence City Council

Excitement is building over a new golf course, expected to make the City of Clarence a renowned golf destination. See why one councillor said she had a ‘moral opposition’ to the sport.

PGA Tour Professional Mathew Goggin grew up in the local area and is the driving force behind Seven Mile Beach public golf course that is set to open later in 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

An 18-hole golf course, expected to have ‘the Mona effect’ on Seven Mile Beach, has been approved by the Clarence City Council.

The new ‘Five Mile Beach course’ at 300 Pittwater Road, Seven Mile Beach, will sit next to the ‘Seven Mile Beach course’, which is already approved and under construction.

The two courses will share facilities, including a clubhouse, restaurant and amenities building.

Proponent and champion Tasmanian golfer Mathew Goggin said the entire resort was expected to be up and running within three years.

‘It will be one of the largest projects in southern Tasmania,” he said.

“It will be close to $30m … maybe $40m when you get to the accommodation and those sorts of things

“We’re hoping to have that Mona effect all over again but for golf tourism.”

PGA Tour Professional Mathew Goggin grew up in the local area and is the driving force behind Seven Mile Beach public golf course that is set to open later in 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Goggin said the land would not be restricted to golfers.

“This is Crown land, this is not our land so this is a place for everybody so we’re really committed to opening up the place,” he said.

“It’s a very under-utilised asset, it a very degraded pine plantation and there’s opportunities for tracks and trails and other public facilities.

‘As a business owner, you want the public down here, not just golfers.”

The ‘Seven Mile Beach’ course, which is currently under construction, is expected to be open by the end of the year, and the clubhouse and other facilities are due to be complete by December next year.

“As we move on and expand and hopefully one day put some accommodation out here, there’ll be scope to put in some more infrastructure to service the ever growing number of visitors,” Mr Goggin said.

An architectural render of the Seven Mile Beach golf course clubhouse, which will contain a cafe, restaurant, and bar.

Clarence Council mayor Brendan Blomeley said the course would make the municipality a renowned golfing destination.

“This is huge for Clarence, this is huge for southern Tasmania,” he said.

City of Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Tasmania’s already known worldwide, Barnbougle, Cape Wickham. Now we’re going to have Seven Mile, Five Mile.

“This will deliver economic and social benefits like we have never seen before.”

During Monday night’s council meeting, most elected members supported the project, but one said she couldn’t vote in favour of it.

“I will be abstaining from this item as I morally have an opposition to the sport of golf as it is something that is more a pursuit of the wealthy and ties up land,” Jade Darko said on Monday night

“I do commend the proponent on the thoroughness of this application.”

There were 119 community representations submitted to the council about the project, 117 were in support.