Victorian Government backs $12.7 million rebuilding of Sandringham Golf Club

The Victorian Government is to back a $12.7 million rebuilding of the Sandringham Golf Club that will include a new 350 metre driving range as the new facilities for the adjacent Sandringham Family Leisure Centre.

City of Bayside Councillors have given support for Golf Victoria and Sandringham Golf Links Management to proceed with plans for a shorter 18-hole course at Sandringham which will allow for the inclusion of a 350 metre driving range complete with a large chipping area, putting green and indoor training facilities.

Shrinking the course also means a section of land occupied by the golf course will be returned to the Council for it to redevelop and expand sporting facilities at the Sandringham Family Leisure Centre.

The golf course redesign, to be paid for by the State Government, will also include a public cafe and administration offices.

Bayside Mayor Laurence Evans said the proposed changes would bring a significant boost to golfing facilities in Bayside, with final consent to rely on the design being scrutinised through the formal planning process.

Mayor Evans stated “through their feedback over 60% of respondents indicated their support for some change with nearly half preferring the option for a reduced par 18-hole course.”

Other options had included reducing the course to 15 holes.

School Sports Victoria strategic manager Nick Mooney said the shorter golf course would be a great outcome for school sport and families in Bayside.

However, Sandringham Driving Range co-owner Ian Wood is objecting to the proposals.

At the Council’s most recent meeting Wood told Councillors their support for the plans, less than a kilometre from his 30-year-old business on Wangara Rd, was “morally wrong”.

Wood said he signed a 10-year lease with the Council four years ago and had spent more than $500,000 since in line with lease commitments.

He said he would not have done so if he had known the new driving range would be developed.

Wood stated “it beggars belief that the council would fund a commercial business on council land that would put another council leaseholder out of business.”

20th February 2018 - 18-HOLE GOLF COURSE TO BE RETAINED AT MELBOURNE’S ALBERT PARK 

26th June 2017 - VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT RELEASES GOLF COURSE PLANNING STRATEGY

15th March 2017 - TURF ROLL OUT HERALDS NEW ERA FOR ST KILDA’S JUNCTION OVAL 

20th December 2016 - PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS HEAD NAMED NEW PARKS VICTORIA CHIEF EXECUTIVE

11th July 2016 - GROUND BREAKING RESEARCH POINTS TO POSITIVE FUTURE FOR AUSTRALIAN GOLF INDUSTRY

6th July 2016 - DECLINE IN GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIPS SLOWS

15th June 2016 - NEW BODY TO REPRESENT PUBLIC GOLF FACILITIES

31st May 2016 - FUTURE OF GOLF PARTICIPATION BASED ON FAN ENGAGEMENT 

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