Golf buyers ‘lined up’

Andrew Mathieson
HOME BUYERS are already staking claims to blocks in a controversially proposed redevelopment of Geelong Golf Club, according to developers.
Links Living reported more than 100 registrations of interest in the North Geelong allotments despite the project having yet to win approval or release prices.
The company submitted to council two weeks ago revised plans featuring 200 residential allotments within a nine-hole, par-three golf course with a neighbouring retirement village.
The proposed $50 million redevelopment also promised $10 green fees a driving range, a golf academy, Geelong’s first indoor bowls club and public access to parks and paths.
Links Living managing director Stephen Head believed the strong interest indicated public support for the proposed golf course redevelopment.
“We’re not surprised by the local interest as it is rare to be offering home sites on a golf course so close to the CBD,” he said.
Links Living said prospective buyers began contacting the company with registrations of interest almost immediately after the company began an advertising campaign in the Independent on August 13 urging council support.
The advertisement did not say the company was accepting registrations of interest but included an image of the development layout and an open letter to council decrying a “well-orchestrated, negative campaign” against the plan.
Mr Head called for councillors to fast-track approval to meet a housing shortfall in the region.
“If this plan is approved within the next couple of weeks we see no reason why the project could not start before Christmas this year,” he said.
Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Tony De Domenico urged council to submit to market forces.
“Council should be delighted that’s what the market wants. Council will get more rates than it would have if the thing remained an unused golf course.”
Ward councillor Eddy Kontelj said council would consider residents before developers’ interests.
Cr Kontelj said hundreds of ratepayers were demanding that Living Links conform to its initial 2006 agreement with council to develop a full-size nine-hole course.
“While they might say 100 or so interested parties are looking at buying houses, we’ve got far more residents and citizens telling us the complete opposite.”