Rossdale Golf course homes plan gets nod

ROSSDALE Golf Club has been given the go ahead to sell off part of its Aspendale golf course for residential development.

Kingston councillors at July’s council meeting unanimously voted to back a proposal to subdivide six allotments for development although some had reservations about the plan.

The golf club has suffered financial problems in recent years and a previous board had been contemplating selling the full golf course off and relocating to Bangholme.

New board members elected last month favour the partial sell-off to save the club and ensure it remains in Aspendale (‘Golf club sets new course’, The News 8/7/15).

“Nobody wants to see golf clubs chip away at their land for their survival but we don’t want to see them leave,” Cr Tamsin Bearsley said.

Cr Rosemary West voted to back the partial subdivision but noted the request was “a challenge” to a recent council resolution to protect golf course land in Kingston for public open space use.

“I think it’s important that all of our golf courses [in Kingston] don’t feel that they can sell off all the land around the edge for no good reason.”

Mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill said the proper planning process must be followed but councillors “will not put obstacles in the way”.

“This is a very modest change they’re seeking and it just provides them with some short to medium term confidence about the future of the club,” he told The News.

“We’re happy as a council to be involved and try to help as much as possible because it’s an important club to the community there.”

The mayor said council had previously approved the partial subdivision at Rossdale golf course but the previous board had not proceeded with the plan at the time.

Council will now write to Planning Minister Richard Wynne for permission to exhibit planning permission for community feedback.

The new Rossdale Golf Club board will answer questions about the club’s future strategy at an annual general meeting on Monday 24 August.