Stumped: Golf club site redevelopment sales manager Ruth Ritchie inspects the land before the start of work next week.
By Michelle Herbison
REDEVELOPMENT of the former Geelong Golf Club site will finally begin with tree removals next week, according to a Links Living spokesperson.
Ron Smith said contractors would begin cutting down old drought-affected Cypress pines and some healthy trees to make way for the 320-lot development and nine-hole golf course in North Geelong.
“For every tree we take out we’ll replace it with two native trees,” Mr Smith said.
“We need to take a long-term view of things and want to beef-up the native Australian environment.”
The Independent reported in August that council had approved plans for the 45-hectare redevelopment on the corner of Thompson and Ballarat Rds.
Links Living had been negotiating with authorities since it bought the course eight years ago after the former golf club struck financial problems.
Mr Smith said replanting would begin in autumn and spring next year.
Work on roads and infrastructure would start soon after, he said.
“We think we’d be building some parts by the end of next year.”
Mr Smith said 200 out of the 320 blocks had been accounted for leaving 120 allotments for sale.
Most buyers were people from Geelong, he said.
“People thought our development would be baby boomer country but we have a mixed community of young families and couples, professional singles as well as older people.”
Mr Smith said the redevelopment plans also included walking tracks and bike paths, two neighbourhood parks, a children’s playground, a picnic shelter, a barbecue, an open lawn area and public seating.
Mr Smith suggested Links Living might reveal additional amenities soon.
State Labor Member for Geelong Ian Trezise remained critical of the development.
“I believe the demise of the Geelong Golf Club, how its members were treated and how its historical memorabilia was trashed is a blight on this city’s history,” he said.
“I for one would never purchase a site or own a home on that site.”
