Calderwood Golf Course Sale Under Offer
The sale of a popular Illawarra golf course could result in a new tourist mecca for the region, though local residents fear the potential loss of a vital community recreational space.
The picturesque Calderwood Golf Course, nestled directly under the escarpment, is currently under offer to a developer. Sydney-based selling agents confirmed the status of the sale but declined to provide further details regarding the buyer or the purchase price.
A History of Tourism Ambitions
The par-70, 18-hole course has been at the center of intense debate over its future tourism potential for over a decade. Opened in 1995 and designed by Ken Mackay, the 51-hectare property spans two local government areas: 17 holes sit within the Shellharbour Local Government Area (LGA), while the remaining hole is located in the Wollongong LGA.
The course last changed hands in 2012 when it was purchased by an Australian-Chinese consortium aiming to unlock the site’s tourism value. In 2013, Shellharbour Council rezoned the land from RU1 Primary Production to RE2 Private Recreation to clear the way for additional tourism investment.
A council report at the time noted:
“It is considered that these uses may be suitable on this site … the current buildings and structures associated with the existing golf course are quite basic.”
Following the rezoning, council approved a 24-cabin rural tourist facility, including a golf clubhouse with a bar, restaurant, function center, and associated infrastructure. While that specific proposal was never developed, the broader tourism plans remain on the table for future development. Under the RE2 zoning, the land is eligible for hotel or motel accommodation, backpackers’ accommodation, camping grounds, function centers, restaurants, and cafes.
Community Concerns and Hyper-Growth
The prospect of heavy development has sparked significant pushback from locals. More than 800 golfers play at Calderwood each week, and as the surrounding area rapidly transforms into new housing estates, predominantly under the Stockland brand, residents are fighting to keep the green space intact.
During earlier rounds of planning, more than 1,000 people signed a petition objecting to the scale of the proposed development. Petitioners clarified that they were not opposed to all development, but expressed deep anxiety over proposals that could reduce the course from 18 holes to 9.
“It is the amount of development that is of concern and the proposal to reduce the golf course from 18 holes to 9 holes. We also fear that the reduction of the course to 9 holes may well be just the start and eventual reduction to zero holes and a further residential/caravan park development. It would be a tragedy if the council approves this development and fails to preserve the current 18 holes of golf for use of future generations.”
The conflict highlights the growing pains of Calderwood, which NSW government data reveals is one of the fastest-growing residential areas in the state. Around 2,000 new homes are slated to be built just east of the golf course over the next decade.
| YEAR | PREDICTED CALDERWOOD POPULATION |
| 2026 | 4,525 residents |
| 2031 | 7,309 residents |
| 2036 | 10,215 residents (More than double current population) |
With the population set to skyrocket, residents argue that the environmental and health benefits of the 18-hole course are more critical than ever. As noted in the community’s earlier objections:
“As the population grows and pressure on recreational areas increases in future it will be important that the Council … preserve the site for recreational use and the benefits it will have in the future community’s physical and mental health cannot be understated.”
