Panel nod for Lonsdale plan

By John Van Klaveren
LONSDALE Golf Club has welcomed a green light for major redevelopment but Geelong’s leading community environmental group has slammed the decision.
A planning panel decision, delayed several months after illness struck down the panel’s president, has approved the project, including a 100-lot residential subdivision fronting Fellows Rd.
The redevelopment will also upgrade and extend the existing golf course toward Lake Victoria.
“The proposal involves a substantial extension and reconstruction of the existing golf course,” the panel’s report said.
“It will require the removal of existing vegetation (both native and exotic) for the golf course extension and the residential subdivision and the replanting/rehabilitation of land not affected by fairways and greens.”
Club president John Calnin said the decision was a major step forward for the project, which still needed state and federal environmental approvals.
Geelong’s council then had to adopt a planning amendment before returning to Planning Minister Matthew Guy for final approval.
Mr Calnin hoped the process would be finished before the end of the year but said October’s council elections could cause a delay.
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros said the redevelopment would cost the environment dearly “all for a little bit of pleasure”.
The project would also “stuff up” a boutique golf course, she said.
“They have to clear hundreds of trees, replant them and construct new holes. It’s a pie-in-the sky proposal.
“It’s taking away wetlands and sites for migratory birds that are needed way into the future beyond the life of the golf course.
“It’s all put aside for a little bit of pleasure.
“There are no guarantees this will be completed because the club is already struggling financially and golf courses all over the world are struggling.”