Revealed: 13th’s new golf project

Jessica Benton
Barwon Heads could have another golf development if State Government knocks back a council bid to rezone land earmarked for the project.
13th Beach Golf Club has 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 include car parking, landscaping and walking paths.
The proposed development would be adjacent to the eastern end of 13th’s existing golf course.
The club applied as The Planning Group 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.
An independent panel has yet to hear submissions on the structure plan to make a recommendation to Mr Madden. The structure plan would set town boundaries to prevent proposed residential development of Macafee family land at 1920 Geelong Road.
Save Barwon Heads Alliance, which has been lobbying against the Macafee project, also opposed the golf course development.
Alliance spokesman Steve Wickham warned of “big implications” if the golf development went ahead.
“We don’t want any development and our principal concern is how the golf project would affect the overall structure plan. It’s got to have an impact on the Macafee proposal too,” Mr Wickham said.
“The possibility of having yet again more development is inappropriate.”
Mr Wickham said that Mr Madden was dragging his feet on the structure plan.
“Council sent the draft structure plan to the minister nearly three months ago and expected a decision within about one month.”
13th Beach Golf Club refused to comment on the new course plans.