Golf course off market Links dumps bid to sell site

Andrew Mathieson
A developer has taken the former Geelong Golf Club “off the market” after struggling to find a suitable buyer.
Links Living spokesperson Ron Smith said buyers were unwilling to redevelop the 45-hectare site according to the approved plans.
“We decided to take it off the market,” Mr Smith said.
“There were a lot of buyers interested in it but we had in mind a certain way to approach the project.
“Others, though, didn’t share that vision.”
Mr Smith said Links Livings’ site plans would remain unchanged.
However, he declined to reveal whether prospective buyers had wanted to resubmit amended plans with the golf course carved up for more housing lots.
“We’ve obviously got in mind maintaining the golf course because we’re very attuned to doing that style of development,” Mr Smith said.
“At the end of the day, we believed we were in the best position to deliver the project.”
Mr Smith said Living Links was also concerned its role as manager of the North Geelong development could have been undermined in a sale.
The company had yet to set a date for starting work on the redevelopment after deciding to retain ownership of the project, Mr Smith said.
Links Living had “no concerns” about its planning permit expiring, he said.
Links Living controversially bought the course for $9 million five years ago after the former Geelong Golf Club imploded under large debts.
Members eventually lost access to the club after the failure of a first plan, which included retention of the club with a nine-hole course. Members would also have had playing rights at Torquay’s The Sands course.
In 2006 Geelong’s council approved a redevelopment proposal with up to 200 new homes and 120 retirement units, a nine-hole course and a clubhouse.
The initial plan had included more dwellings.
PGA Links – the company’s management division – had hoped to sell its golf estates and land holdings, including the Geelong site, to third-party developers.