EOI: Long term lease of the new Morack Golf (Victoria)

POSTED ON March 21, 2022 @ 10:00 am

Morack Public Golf Course provides valuable health, social and sporting participation options for the residents of the City of Whitehorse, and for people from across the eastern region of Melbourne. It experiences high levels of activity with over 100,000 visitations a year across its current golf course and driving range.

To ensure Morack remains viable and successful in meeting the needs of its community, Whitehorse City Council (Council) is committed to developing a new Morack. Over $9.5M is to be invested by Council to build:

A new golf pavilion and precinct
- New contemporary café, golf shop, and multi-purpose event space
A new 24-bay golf driving range
A new 18-hole premium mini-golf course

The potential for growth at Morack is significant. Golf participation is booming. Also, based on Council analysis, there are over 600,000 residents living in Morack’s population catchment (within 10km). The catchment is expected to increase in population to over 700,000 by the year 2031.

Construction for the new Morack is expected to commence in July 2022 and take around 12 months to complete. The new tenant will then complete the fit-out of the golf pavilion, driving range, and mini-golf course over 3 months. Subject to progress, the new Morack will open for business by the new tenant around October 2023.

The new Morack will broaden its market appeal and will offer high-quality and contemporary golf, golf entertainment, and hospitality experiences.

Council is now seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitable parties to enter into a long-term lease of the new Morack.

Given the requirements of the lease to manage the golf, golf entertainment, hospitality, and golf course maintenance responsibilities of the new Morack, proponents may prepare an EOI submission either individually, or involve another party (or parties).

Key Dates

Wed 23 Feb Invitation for Expressions of Interest ‘open’
Fri 11 Mar EOI briefing at Morack (pre-registration required)
Wed 16 Mar Draft Lease available to Proponents (or earlier)
Wed 30 Mar Request for further information or questions ‘close’
Wed 6 Apr Final response to further information or questions
Wed 20 Apr Invitation for Expressions of Interest ‘close’ (3:00pm AEST)
May Assessment of proposals¹
Jun Successful Proponent confirmed by Council
Jul Building construction works commence (anticipated)
Jul 2023 Base build complete (anticipated)
Sep 2023 Fitout complete (anticipated)
Oct 2023 New Morack opens (anticipated)

¹On completion of the assessment of Proposals, Council may decide to proceed to a second phase of the procurement process with one or more short-listed Proponents; or terminate this Invitation for expressions of interest.