City, Links to talk on course

Kim Waters
COUNCIL will push for a full-size nine-hole course in negotiations next week over the former Geelong Golf Club, according to a councillor.
Andrew Katos said council wanted to broker a “suitable outcome” for the site with owner Links Living.
Council this week deferred voting on Links’ new plan to develop a western parcel of the land for a par-three, nine-hole course with housing allotments and retirement units.
The deferral followed State Government last month rejecting the company’s bid for a Woolworths hardware store on the eastern section of the course.
Councillors have expressed opposition to the par-three proposal after Links previously presented plans for a full-size nine-hole course amid residential development.
“We’ll be discussing with them the outcome the community wants, which is a proper, full-sized golf course,” Cr Katos said.
“That’s the outcome we’d want to see but we don’t want to pre-empt anything.”
Cr Katos said council now expected Links to be more willing to provide further information on its latest proposal after stonewalling council last month.
Council had sought “clarification” on the retirement village component and public open space.
“The information was not forthcoming and we were thinking we’d have to go to VCAT but now they have decided to sit down with us and talk about it,” Cr Katos said.
“They’re quite happy to sit down and get a resolution that’s not only good for them but also for the residents and the city.”
Cr Katos said plans for the eastern parcel were “up in the air” after the Government knocked back the Woolworths proposal.
Links Living spokesperson Ron Smith refused to comment.
Links closed the course in 2004 after council rejected the company’s initial redevelopment plan.
The company took over the land in 2003 after the golf club ran into financial problems and sold the course in 2002.