$60 Million Byellee Waters Golf Project Promises a Regional Revolution

In a move that signals a historic shift for the Gladstone region, plans for a world-class $60 million golf and lifestyle precinct are officially moving forward. Dubbed “Byellee Waters”, the project aims to replace the aging and constrained Gladstone Golf Course with a championship-standard destination that local leaders believe will become the premier sporting and tourism hub between Noosa and Port Douglas.

The ambitious vision, spearheaded by the Yaralla Sports Club, received a significant boost in February 2025 when the Gladstone Regional Council granted preliminary approval for the master-planned development. For a city long defined by its industrial prowess, Byellee Waters represents a pivot toward a lifestyle-driven economy, promising not just a new place to play golf, but a comprehensive community asset integrated with nature.

The End of an Era at Gladston Golf Course

The impetus for the move is rooted in necessity. The current Gladstone Golf Club at Kin Kora has, for years, faced the encroaching pressures of urban development. Surrounded by residential properties and retail centers, the course has become increasingly difficult to maintain as a competitive and safe environment.

“The present course is heavily constrained,” the project’s proponents explain. Duty-of-care measures have already forced significant compromises on the game: drivers have been banned on certain holes to prevent stray balls from hitting neighboring homes, par has been reduced, and greens have been relocated. Project planners warned that without a radical solution, the club would soon face the closure of entire holes, rendering the experience unsustainable for its members and the broader community.

The answer lies 4.5 kilometers away on a pristine stretch of land near the Dawson Highway. Byellee Waters will occupy a landscape characterized by freshwater lagoons, natural wetlands, and undulating bushland—a setting that offers a stark contrast to the suburban “land-locked” feel of the current site.

A Masterpiece in the Wetlands

At the heart of the project is an 18-hole, par-70 championship course designed by Richard Chamberlain. Chamberlain, whose pedigree includes work with legendary architects Graham Marsh and Ross Watson, has crafted a layout intended to challenge elite golfers while remaining accessible to the public.

The design leverages the natural geography of the Beecher area. Rather than flattening the land, the course will weave through existing wetlands and lagoons, creating what architects call a “fully-integrated” experience where the environment is the star. Beyond the 18 holes, the facility will include a state-of-the-art driving range, practice greens, and a “Centre of Excellence” specifically designed to nurture the next generation of Central Queensland’s golfing talent.

However, the “Waters” in Byellee Waters refers to more than just the water hazards on the back nine. The project is being marketed as a “Regional Destination,” aiming to attract tourists who might otherwise bypass Gladstone on their way to the Sunshine Coast or the Far North.

To support this, the master plan includes:

• An Architect-Designed Clubhouse: Serving as the social anchor for the region with top-tier function and event spaces.
• A 4-Star Resort and RV Park: Providing much-needed short-term accommodation for travelers and visiting competitors.
• Family-Friendly Amenities: Including a high-end Mini Golf course to ensure the site is a weekend destination for families, not just golf purists.
• Nature Trails: Access to surrounding nature reserves for walkers and birdwatchers, ensuring the land remains a community asset even for non-golfers.

The $60 Million Domino Effect

The financial architecture of the project is as bold as its design. Yaralla Sports Club, a not-for-profit organization, expects to invest approximately $60 million into the Byellee Waters development. A significant portion of this funding is expected to be generated through the strategic sale and redevelopment of the current Kin Kora land.

This “land swap” creates a secondary opportunity for Gladstone’s urban planning. As the golf course moves to Beecher, the 44-hectare Kin Kora site will be unlocked for a variety of community-focused uses. Early visions for the old course include a mix of health services, aged care facilities, retail hubs, and low-density “lifestyle” residential blocks. Crucially, the plan emphasizes the preservation of green zones to act as buffers for existing neighbors.

“This isn’t just about golf; it’s about the future of Gladstone’s urban footprint,” a project spokesperson stated. “By moving the course, we solve the safety and sustainability issues at Kin Kora while simultaneously creating a world-class tourism asset at Byellee Waters. All profits are reinvested back into the community.”

Environmental and Community Stewardship

Given the site’s proximity to sensitive wetlands, the development has been subject to rigorous technical investigations. The project team has emphasized that the design and delivery are being conducted under the strict guidance of Local and State Government environmental regulations. The goal is a “symbiotic” relationship between the turf and the natural ecosystem, with the course acting as a steward for the freshwater lagoons.

As a not-for-profit, Yaralla has also launched an extensive community engagement phase. They are inviting residents to “Have Their Say” via the project’s digital portal, seeking feedback on everything from the clubhouse amenities to the proposed layout of the RV park.

A New Dawn for Gladstone

According to the project timeline, with preliminary approvals now in hand, the focus shifts to the detailed delivery and construction phases. While a final completion date for the full 18 holes and resort has not been set, the momentum is palpable.

For Gladstone, Byellee Waters is more than just a series of fairways; it is a statement of intent. It suggests a city that is ready to compete on the national stage for tourism dollars and provide its residents with facilities that rival those in major metropolitan hubs.

As the project moves from “Concept Masterplan” to reality, the message from Byellee Waters is clear: Gladstone is no longer just a stop on the highway—it is becoming a destination.