Auckland golf course to be halved from 18 holes to make way for residential development

The Formosa Golf Course to the east of Auckland is to be reduced from 18 to nine holes, with the 3000 residences planned for half of its existing site.

Plans for the 255 hectare Beachlands South scheme include 3000 new apartments and terraced houses along with commercial and retail activities.

In another example of pressure on land occupied by golf courses close to cities, the Bob Charles designed golf course will go from 18 to nine holes, with developers saying they will invest in the remaining part of the course to bring it up to a better standard.

As reported by the NZ Herald, Brett Russell, Managing Director of Russell Property Group which is a part-owner of the site said that the Beachlands South Limited Partnership - owned by the Russell Property Group, the NZ Super Fund, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Hāpai Development Property LP - has applied to Auckland Council to change the zoning.

Two years ago, the NZ Herald reported how an entity established by the NZ Super Fund and the owner of one of New Zealand's largest construction businesses had bought Formosa Golf Resort and would amalgamate that with a neighbouring site.

A statement on the development advised that that the apartment, commercial, hospitality and retail project could take 15 to 20 years to complete.

The statement also advised that the course's clubhouse is being modernised to include dining and conference facilities.

Located on the Pohutukawa Coast, 40 minutes southeast of Auckland, the course is also home to the Rydges Formosa Golf Resort consisting of 50 villas.

Images: Formosa Golf Course (top) and the concept for part of the development on the site (below).