State Government to fund $12.7 million rebuild for Sandringham Golf Club

The Sandringham golf course is set to shrink significantly in size to allow for the inclusion of a 350m driving range with a large chipping area, putting green and indoor training facilities.

The golf course redesign, to be paid for by the State Government, will also include a public cafe and administration offices.

Bayside councillors have given support for Golf Victoria and Sandringham Golf Links Management to proceed with the reconstruction of the 18 hole course, which will also see a chunk of the course land be returned to the council for it to redevelop and expand facilities at the adjacent Sandringham Family Leisure Centre on Tulip St.

However, at a meeting last week,  Sandringham Driving Range co-owner Ian Wood told councillors their support for the plans, less than a kilometre from his 30-year-old business on Wangara Rd, was “morally wrong”.

Mr Wood said he signed a ten-year lease with the council four years ago and had spent more than $500,000 since in line with lease commitments, and that hw would not have done so if he had known about the planned construction.

“It beggars belief that the council would fund a commercial business on council land that would put another council leaseholder out of business,” Mr Wood said.

But Bayside Mayor Laurence Evans said the proposed changes would bring a significant boost to golfing facilities in Bayside, and he said final consent would rely on the design being scrutinised through the formal planning process.

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