Darebin Council calls on State Government to buy Strathallan GC

Councillors voted last week to investigate placing a public acquisition overlay on the 18ha site, which would block a private sale.

An overlay would allow the State Government or another authority to purchase the site at a significantly reduced cost. The Planning Minister would need to approve an overlay.

Councillors described the move as the best chance to preserve the land and Strathallan Golf Club, which has leased the course from La Trobe University since 1996.

The university has told the club they must vacate the land by the end of 2018.

A council report said the site would likely be rezoned for development and valued at $50 million, recommending that council continue limited advocacy to preserve the land.

But councillors unanimously rejected the recommendation in favour of a strong defence of the golf course which would include lobbying the State Government to purchase and retain the land.

Cr Trent McCarthy said councillors had to consider Darebin’s Open Space Policy.

“The policy says ‘no net loss of open space’ – if (the land) was to ever go, it needs to be replaced by something else and it’s hard to invent new land in Darebin,” he said.

Supporters of the golf course have amassed more than 4700 signatures opposed to the sale of the land.

Several supporters made emotional pleas at last week’s council meeting that the land be preserved.

Save Strathallan Open Space Community Coalition secretary John Berryman said his group had been ignored by the university.

“This parcel of land is very special … it was sold to the uni so they could be custodians of a special property – it wasn’t sold to them to be cashed in when greed or ambition took over,” he said.

Strathallan Golf Course was founded in 1957 on land formerly used by the Larundel mental hospital and was purchased by La Trobe University in 1996.

The course serves as a buffer for a nearby wildlife reserve, providing sanctuary for native animals.

La Trobe University spokesman Tim Mitchell said the university would consider its options.

“We will be soon be commencing community consultations on the future of the site,” he said.

Councillors will receive a report in July on the public acquisition overlay process.

Source: Leader