Lonsdale club redevelopment: Submitters in golf ‘backing’

MICHELLE HERBISON
SUPPORTERS have overwhelmed objectors in submissions on a proposed redevelopment of Lonsdale Golf Course, according to council documents.
Council received 140 submissions in support and 26 against the plan to extend the course and include 100 residential allotments.
Councillors voted this week to ask Planning Minister Matthew Guy to appoint an independent panel to review the plans.
Submissions in support highlighted the golf club’s sport, social and community benefits to Point Lonsdale.
One submission said the club must upgrade to remain competitive with other clubs.
“It’s a very long-standing community and social facility, a tourism asset and very important to the lifestyle of members,” the submitter said.
Another submission noted the club had adjoined the wetlands for many years and respected environmental issues.
But Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros said the project would “destroy and fragment” nearby Lake Victoria wetlands.
Ms Lindros said endangered plants and animals were at risk.
“If the plan goes ahead there’ll be degradation of internationally significant bird habitat. Orange-bellied parrots and protected fauna and flora are in the area.”
Ms Lindros was disappointed council had “passed the buck”.
“We made a submission and council had the opportunity to go back and fix the problems. We’re not opposed to the re-jig of the golf course but they haven’t made good environmental decisions.”
Ms Lindros said an environmental effects study (EES) of the proposal was unsatisfactory.
“I find it quite extraordinary that the people at the golf club and those doing the EES didn’t realise what a responsibility they had.”
A report to council said 20 of the submissions had concerns about the proposed residential rezoning.
Most of the residential objectors lived near the Fellows Rd site, the report said.
They suggested the 100 new houses would impact on views, remove vegetation, impact on “the character of the road” and create traffic and safety issues.
Lonsdale Golf Club declined to comment on the “sensitive” issue until the panel had made recommendations.