Rosny Park golf course’s shut down reprieve is short-lived
Clarence City Council had agreed to let play continue at the Rosny Park golf course after community backlash, but the fairways will still be empty after this weekend. FIND OUT WHY >>
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GOLF at an Eastern Shore course will have a hiatus from this Saturday, despite a successful motion at Monday night’s Clarence City Council to keep the sport operating there.
A motion from Alderman Luke Edmunds was passed by aldermen in a vote of 6-5, with the council to now negotiate with stakeholders on a plan to continue golf on the land which is currently used as the Rosny Park public golf course.
Any interim deal struck would be in place until such time as the council had an approved plan for the area under its City Heart proposal.
But the current operator of the course, the YMCA, said it was not given the option to extend its lease beyond the current expiration date of April 30.
An amendment by Alderman Tony Mulder to include YMCA in the motion was accepted by Ald Edmunds, but not by the motion’s seconder, Alderman Richard James.
YMCA acting chief executive Phil Venables confirmed the course would host its final rounds this Saturday, April 24, a date earmarked prior to Monday’s meeting.
A groundswell of public support — including a meeting of more than 100 people on Friday night — had urged golf to be continued on the land, next to Eastlands shopping centre.
That is set to occur, but the YMCA will not have its lease on the council-owned course extended beyond this month.
“It’s always been a council property and we’ve always only managed it on their behalf, so it is their right to do with it what they will,” Mr Venables said.
“We were prepared to discuss keeping it ticking over while discussions were ongoing.
“We’ll have a look at what might come out from the council relating to the future management of the course. Until we see that, we can’t commit to anything.
“We’re disappointed, but it is what it is.”
Mr Venables said the development would affect up to 12 staff, some of whom would be redeployed to other YMCA centres.
A joint statement from Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland and Golf Tasmania president Georgette Chilcott said they were pleased golf would continue to be played at the course in the short term.
“We appreciate the backing of Alderman Luke Edmunds on Monday night and the support of
council to adopt the motion he put,” they said in a statement.
“It is the intention of both GA and GT to work closely with council to find the best ongoing solution based on community desires and consultation.”
Mayor Doug Chipman said golf would cease on the course while council advertised for expressions of interest from interested stakeholders.
“Council’s aim is to work through this disruption as quickly as possible so that people can return to playing golf at Rosny,” he said.
“Once the expression of interest is completed, negotiations can begin and a new operator engaged.
“This process may unfortunately take some months to complete.”
Ald Chipman said council would undertake basic maintenance of the course, including mowing of the fairways and operation of the irrigation system, until a new operator was found.
Ald Edmunds said the meeting had showed council had a clear position that it wanted golf to stay at Rosny.
“We have empowered the general manager to make that a reality — any excuses or delays are not going to be viewed favourably by aldermen or the public,” he said.
Second wind for community favourite golf course
Monday April 19
A MOTION to enter into negotiations with stakeholders and allow a temporary reprieve of a golf course’s closure was narrowly carried last night.
Clarence City Council had received community backlash over their initial decision to close Rosny Golf Course in favour of transforming the green space into a community hub.
Alderman Luke Edmunds proposed delaying the closure, which was set for the end of this month, to be deferred “until such time as the Council has an approved plan for the area under the City Heart proposal”.
“It’s a beloved part of the furniture of our city,” he said.
“The only voices saying to shut this golf course are in this chamber, that’s a fact.”
Alderman Dean Ewington said it was notthe Council’s role to continually subsidise the golf course, which had struggled financially since 2015.
Alderman Tony Mulder supported the motion but hoped golf would not cease on the site during stakeholder negotiations.
Alderman Wendy Kennedy said the mental and physical health benefits to pensioners and other golfers warranted keeping the site in operation.
The motion passed six to five.
Another motion later in the evening was passed to refuse an application for a Dan Murphy’s bottle shop at the former Action Indoor Sports site at Percy St, Bellerive, but Ald Ewington’s new motion with amendments to approve the application was approved.
The Council refused the initial motion based on the lack of sufficient on site parking spaces and the “unreasonable impact” upon nearby residents such as noise, commercial vehicle movements and other emissions.
Ald Kennedy was concerned the bottle shop would encourage traffic from all over the Eastern Shore to cram into the hub of Bellerive.
The amended motion allowing 38 on site parking spaces, trading from 8am to 10pm seven days a week, switching off outdoor lighting between 11pm and 6am and altering commercial vehicle arrival times was passed.
A further motion from the CCC supporting the public release of the Kangaroo Bay Sale and Development Agreement passed, but it was agreed disclosing details of the private contract would first need approval from developers Chambroad.
Alderman Mulder moved the decision to address growing community concerns of secrecy surrounding the deal.
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