Green for rescue

By Lilly O’Gorman
BEACONHILLS Golf Club will be brought back from the brink of bankruptcy, and the land protected from residential zoning, following the council’s move to buy the premises.
Cardinia Shire Councillors carried a motion at a special council meeting on Monday night to consider purchasing the 107 hectare Stoney Creek Road property for $4,150,000.
The council approached the club in an effort to protect the land from rezoning and to retain the golf course as a future recreational facility for residents.
Ian Hollingsworth, Business Development Manager at Beaconhills Country Golf Club said members voted unanimously for the proposed sale at a meeting last Tuesday.
He said it was a win for the community and the historic club, which first opened in the 1920s.
“The club is trading well while servicing a large debt, but long term this is not something we could have gone on with,” Mr Hollingsworth said.
“This guarantees the future of the club. We will still operate independently and capital works such as improvements to the club house and course, will happen, which we would never have been able to fund ourselves.”
According to the council’s proposal, the purchase price would pay of an existing debt of almost $1.5 million and the remaining $2,680,000 would be spent on capital works.
The club would lease the premises back from the council for $1 a year for fifty years and would have the option to purchase the land back from council.
A seven lot subdivision along McArthur Road has been earmarked for use as tourism or conference facilities or independent living units to create a revenue stream to be shared between capital works for the Golf Club and the council.
Mayor Ed Chatwin said the purchase would be a “win-win” for the community, which would benefit long term from the preservation of the golf club and future development at the site.
“This Shire will double in the next 15-20 years and has got to have some outlets,” he said.
“(Here is) 107 hectares of possible development. It’s a great addition to our asset base.”
Councillor Collin Ross agreed. “This is an extremely exciting opportunity for us to invest in over 100 hectares of open space land,” he said.
“I think this goes further than just giving life to the club.”
Graham Legge said the purchase would protect the land from residential zoning, therefore protecting the future of the golf course, which was a “key asset” for shire residents.
“This action allows the golf course to continue to be a key attraction to the community,” Cr Legge said.
Councillor Brett Owen encouraged the wider community to provide feedback on the land’s future use.
“Everyone knows this shire is lacking community facilities and accommodation,” Cr Owen said.
“This could be possible at this site. I encourage people to put submissions forward.”
A special council meeting will be held at 7pm on Monday 25 June to hear any submissions received.