Subdivision uncertainty harming Drouin golf club

Continuing uncertainty over a planned subdivision of land formerly owned by the Drouin Golf and Country Club is causing the club ongoing harm.

Chairman of the club’s board of management Richard Snare said it had been hoped the subdivision application by developers Seabank and Sowerby would have been dealt with by council last week.

However, this has been deferred and a recommendation for council decision will not be until at least next February when council will hold its first meeting for the year.

The application is to create 154 low density residential blocks of about 2000 square metres (half an acre) in the 53-hectare development.

Mr Snare said the main difficulties the club was experiencing because of the delay were deferral for at least three months of the final payment to the club for the purchase of the land, the impacts that was having on the club’s new marketing and promotion plan and a delay to constructing two new holes on the course to replace two existing ones on land included in the proposed sub-division.

He said he had been told unofficially that deferral of consideration of the planning application was for responses to council’s call for public comment on the proposal to be collated.

Three people objected to the plan at a council meeting in October, their concerns including the 2000 square metre blocks were not compatible with already established homes on adjoining larger blocks.

Sewerage is required to be installed in low density subdivision where block sizes are 2000 square metres but not for larger allotments.

Drouin Golf and Country Club is amending proposed new branding – Open Edge Drouin – that the board had intended launching for its golf and functions/events businesses.

Despite an unsuccessful move at a special general meeting of members early this month to overturn the new branding – votes fell just short of the 75 per cent required under the club’s constitution - Mr Snare said the board responded to a strong message that the club name be retained and visible in marketing activities.

He said Open Edge would remain as an “umbrella” and linked to non-golf events while the club’s official name would be the subbrand for golfing activities.