The Andrews Labor Government is supporting the Northcote community to develop a comprehensive vision for the future of Northcote Public Golf Course that balances the diverse needs of local residents.

Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous MP today announced that the Andrews Labor Government will invest $200,000 to support a redesign project to enable a wider variety of community activities and greater access to the site.

Funding will be administered by Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) and will bring together key stakeholders, with the support of a golf architect, to develop a tangible plan for the site which retains the nine-hole course while simultaneously supporting other leisure activities and opening space for parkland.

The State Government will offer to partner with Darebin City Council to deliver the project.

“The challenges associated with balancing the need for more open space, public sporting facilities and the recreational needs of diverse residents is significant for an inner urban area like Northcote,” said Ms Theophanous.

The future of the 24-hectare public golf course in the heart of Northcote has faced ongoing uncertainty after Darebin Council signalled that it would consider removing golf and repurposing the site.

A public consultation process undertaken by Council in 2021 received over 11,000 responses. However, the Council backed away from releasing the results in March and the community have been left waiting.

Residents and stakeholders have reached out to Ms Theophanous with serious concerns about the consultation process to date and fears have been raised that the results are being sidelined.

“It is imperative that decisions around the future use of the site are well considered and genuinely informed by community input. Residents also deserve the opportunity to review a full masterplan for the site and understand any potential cost to ratepayers,” said Ms Theophanous.

Earlier this month, the Minister for Local Government announced a municipal monitor will be appointed to Darebin Council due to ongoing concerns regarding its standards of governance and transparency.

“There is a genuine opportunity here to achieve a really positive outcome for our community – one that doesn’t involve shutting down our sports clubs or facilities. The State Government is offering a way forward – a circuit breaker – to Darebin Council to work together to see this space preserved, enhanced and made more accessible to residents,” she said.

“It’s been disappointing to see the divisive way in which the debate about the future of the Northcote Golf Course has played out at the local government level. This need not be a zero-sum game that takes something away from our community – it’s a fantastic opportunity to enhance what we have.”

The redesign project will look at key imperatives, such as preserving the ecological value of the site, incorporating better pedestrian and cycling connections, improving community amenities and infrastructure, opening space for passive recreation, growing participation in golf, generating opportunities for job creation and partnerships with traditional owners.

The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation will be a key stakeholder in the delivery of the project and will be invited to play a pivotal role in the considerations of the redesign.

24 April 2022