Work tees off at future recreational reserve and golf course project Arm End

The developers of a multi-use recreational reserve and golf course at Opossum Bay are inviting the public to check out their site this weekend.

A MULTI-MILLION dollar mixed-use development on the outskirts of greater Hobart has reached a significant milestone – and now the public are invited to visit.

The developers of Arm End, a multi-use recreational reserve and golf course at Opossum Bay, have set up camp in their site office at the property ahead of an open day this weekend.

Project manager Craig Ferguson said members of the public are invited to a community barbecue and information session on Sunday.

“This is an opportunity for community members to come to discuss the ongoing progress of the project,” he said.

The development of the 116ha crown land site was first proposed in 2009, and the first iteration was approved by the Clarence City Council in 2012.

The proposal has been bogged down by lengthy approvals and bureaucratic processes, as well as appeals to the planning tribunal.

Arm End project manager, Craig Ferguson as work is getting underway at Opossum Bay. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Earlier last year, a 6.8km pipeline to pump recycled water from Blackmans Bay was approved.

It will connect Class B recycled water from TasWater’s Blackmans Bay treatment plant across the River Derwent to irrigate the Arm End public recreation reserve, as well as local farms and properties.

Mr Ferguson said work on the pipeline would begin in five weeks, and over the past two weeks work had been done on significant removal of the weed African boxthorn.

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The first stage of work will involve environmental rehabilitation and quarry works, followed by construction of walking and cycling paths, a cafe, and maintenance centre, as well as delivering water to the site.

The final eight months of the project will be the construction of the 18-hole golf course, designed by golf course architecture firm Crafter and Mogford. It is scheduled to open in February 2022.

“We want to make sure when we do open we have something significant and world class,” Mr Ferguson said.

South Arm RSL and community club president Craig Knibbs said the development would revitalise the community. “I think it will bring even more development to the peninsula,” he said.

“Sentiment in the community is generally positive. The people who have raised concerns have had those concerns addressed.”

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