NORTHCOTE MP TEES OFF WITH PLAN TO PROTECT GOLF COURSE AND DELIVER MUCH NEEDED OPEN SPACE
Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous MP, has proposed that the Northcote Golf Course be transformed into a 6 hole course while opening more area for parkland.
The move would give local golf club users certainty, free up significant public open space for the community and ward off any attempt by Darebin Council to develop the land.
This proposal would be a first for Victoria and would follow the lead of similar short-form golf courses in other parts of the world.
In 2017 the Andrews Government’s Planning for Golf in Victoria discussion paper, found that golf faces significant challenges in maintaining memberships and covering high operational costs. It proposed short-form golf courses as a way to meet these challenges while continuing to support the game.
Examples of golf courses in the UK, Europe and the US, show that a shift to 6 hole courses has been very successful, particularly in inner urban areas where time pressures and changing participation trends are driving demand for a game that can be played more quickly.
“A shorter 6 hole course has real benefits for golf – attracting more casual golfers, beginners and juniors. It would also have great benefits for locals in opening up more public space,” said Ms Theophanous.
“Shortening the course while keeping it a golf only space would avoid safety concerns, ensure the fairways and greens are kept to a playable standard, protect the biodiversity that golf courses have been shown to be habitat to, and open a significant area to other recreational uses.”
“Golf is a big part of why this parkland is such a beautiful part of our suburbs. We can’t expect it to stay this way if Council attempts some sort of shared timetable where putting greens are used as picnic spots. Sadly the feedback from locals is that they don’t have confidence that Council will take responsibility for maintenance.”
Ms Theophanous called for a fulsome, inclusive and transparent consultation with the community about the Golf Course’s future. She has already met with both golfers and community advocates, and believes a balanced solution is possible.
She warned against a populist decision to expel golfers entirely or embark on an unworkable shared timetabling arrangement that would create ongoing tensions between users and blurred responsibilities around maintenance.
“Local sports infrastructure brings value to our suburbs. Golfers deserve certainty that they won’t be muscled out and this is one option for a workable compromise that adds to community amenity rather than takes away from it.”
“The right balance must be struck between community, golfing, environmental and First Nations interests – and it must be practical and workable – not political.”
She insisted that protections be in place to ensure the land does not fall prey to creeping development, and urged Council to use its open space developer contributions to tangibly increase open space in high density areas across the municipality.
