13th bid under cloud

Alex de Vos
Plans for a third golf course at Barwon Heads are under a cloud after councillors this week voted to defer a bid to rezone land earmarked for the project.
Councillor Andrew Katos suggested council adopt an alternative amendment to rezone part of the 13th Beach Resort land to farming, which would stop further development of the site.
Cr Katos said the alternative amendment was designed to restrict Barwon Heads’ town boundary.
“I’m fearful that six months down the track the owners are going to put in a residential application,” Cr Katos said.
“I’m worried about encroaching on the town boundary – the purpose of the alternative motion is to stop expansion of the town boundary by stealth.”
Cr Katos had wanted councillors to refer a new structure plan for Barwon Heads to an independent panel, which would consider all 377 submissions.
The structure plan would set town boundaries to prevent proposed residential development of Macafee family land at 1920 Geelong Road.
Barwon Heads ward councillor Andy Richards, who seconded the alternative amendment, said he was disappointed with the deferral.
“I was elected seven months ago on a promise to stop the extension of the town boundary,” Cr Richards said.
“I’m disappointed with the recent decision because it leaves my community hanging.
“My local residents want to get this back on the agenda.”
The Independent revealed in October last year that 13th Beach Golf Club had proposed another 18-hole golf course, a second clubhouse and a “well-being centre” with a day spa, an indoor pool, a gym and massage facilities.
Other components of the plan included car parking, landscaping and walking paths.
The proposed development was earmarked for land adjacent to the eastern end of 13th’s existing golf course.
The club applied for an amendment to council’s comprehensive development plan, which rules out buildings for accommodation or “commercial purposes” on the site.
However, City of Greater Geelong’s Kate Sullivan said the club had put its application on hold until Planning Minister Justin Madden had ruled on council’s proposed new structure plan for Barwon Heads.
The structure plan would put a rural rezoning on the site.
Committee for Geelong’s Peter Dorling, who supported the project, said he was disappointed with council’s decision.
“The developers want to finish this golf course – they have already produced world-class facilities that have put Geelong on the national and international map,” Mr Dorling said.
“They should be commended and not put through the mill – I hope commonsense prevails and when it goes back to council they’ll be given the right to go ahead.”
But Save Barwon Heads Alliance, which has been lobbying against the Macafee project, has vowed to fight the golf course development.
13th Beach Golf Club did not return the Independent’s call for comment before the paper went to press this week.