Closed Gold Coast golf club under threat of housing development

The former Arundel Hills Country Club is under threat of residential development to meet the Gold Coast’s housing needs.

Once considered one of the gems of Gold Coast golf, the country club has been closed since May last year and the new owners of the 67 hectare site are planning a residential enclave of more than 400 home lots.

However, the area is not currently zoned for housing and neighbouring residents want to maintain it as recreational land.

Jason Young, President of the Arundel Hills Community Association, explains “we're not anti-development, there is a housing shortage … but there's also a green space shortage.

"These greenheart areas, once they're gone, they're gone. That's it. You've got to fight to keep them."

The proposed masterplan from the new owners of Country Club includes three precincts to be delivered in stages, including a low-density urban residential subdivision - comprising 447 home lots varying in area from 286 metre² to 1223 metre² that “reflects a natural extension of the neighbouring suburban community”, adding “the varied lot sizes proposed for the precinct will translate to a good mix of housing sizes, for a variety of family profiles, lifestyles, and price-points.”

Part of the vision is also to ‘gift’ land to the nearby AB Paterson College for its expansion and use for the sporting and recreational pursuits of its students.

In addition, about 40% of the site would be dedicated to the Gold Coast City Council for environment and conservation purposes, open space, and conservation.

This is partly aimed at accommodating fauna movements through the development and dealing with bushfire hazard risk to the surrounding area.

The Queensland Government's draft plan, released earlier this year, focuses on keeping urban sprawl to a minimum as such expansion requires additional infrastructure. It can also encroach on sensitive environmental and agricultural land.

However, the area is not currently zoned for housing and neighbouring residents want to maintain it as recreational land.

Jason Young, President of the Arundel Hills Community Association, explains “we're not anti-development, there is a housing shortage … but there's also a green space shortage.

"These greenheart areas, once they're gone, they're gone. That's it. You've got to fight to keep them."

Developer Dale Carroll is part of the group that has asked the Gold Coast City Council to re-zone the land to allow for residential development at the former country club.

He explains “we believe we're unlocking this land for not 300 golfers, but for thousands of residents."

Image: Abandoned fairway at the former Arundel Hills Country Club.