Planning ongoing after sale success
Preliminary planning is underway to add additional residential blocks to a Chalambar Links Estate development project in Ararat after the sale of the final lot in a first development stage.
Development expansion details are likely to be available later this year.
The project has involved developing land on the northern corner of Chalambar Golf Course off Golf Links Road.
The first development stage has included the sale of nine lots.
Completion of the sale prompted Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison and mayor Jo Armstrong to congratulate Chalambar Golf and Bowls Club president Charlie de Fegely and Villawood Properties’ Justin Lang.
Dr Harrison said he was pleased to see investor confidence continue to build in the region, especially with the addition of the nine residential lots to Ararat’s housing market.
“Ararat is only two hours from Melbourne and with the pandemic, more people are leaving Melbourne to regional areas because of the freedom and liveability that a rural lifestyle offers,” he said.
“Resolving the housing shortage requires more homes to be developed. The partnership between Chalambar Golf Club and Villawood Properties to develop residential blocks will support our growing population, while giving the golf club a cash boost to future-proof the facility.”
Mr de Fegely said there was pressure on the golf club, which employed a staff of about 15, to maintain the development facility and attract new members.
“Golf as a sport is facing a shift in popularity and player participation due to people being time-poor – we once would have 200 players on a Saturday and now we’re averaging about 50 to 100 players,” he said.
“We’ve been working on plans to future-proof the club and make it more accessible to the community. Part of this plan is the housing development to get us out of a rough patch.
“It was important that we worked with the right partners on the project, a regional business that understood our vision in keeping the integrity of the club while helping us to activate the precinct.
“Villawood came on board towards the end of last year to work with us – their assistance couldn’t be better.
“At the end of the day, this development opportunity helps us boost our income and maintain the golf club, which is a vital asset for the Ararat community.
“The club represents so much more than golf.”
Villawood Properties’ regional general manager Julian Perez said he was pleased with the partnership.
“It’s been fantastic to work with Chalambar Golf Club and the council on a project that will not only secure the club’s future but create a unique place to live in Ararat,” he said.
“We chose an area of the course that allowed us to develop land easily and with little modification to the course.”
Villawood Properties is project manager and Elders Real Estate Ararat the selling agent.
People can contact Elders or visit a Chalambar Links Estate website www.chalambarlinksestate.com.au to find out more about the development.