Helensvale deal a win for golfers

MORE than a decade ago, after extensive community consultation, the Gold Coast City Council moved to protect golf courses from development.

The reasoning was it would have a general positive impact upon suburbs under pressure from the massive population growth facing the city.

Significant areas of green space could be protected, the report said. There was overwhelming support from residents.

The review of the planning scheme excluded three courses including the Gold Coast Country Club, which was considered a “significant strategic site’’ close to the public transport hub at the Helensvale rail station.

The Gold Coast Country Club course closed after Melbourne-based developer Villawood Properties announced in 2014 it had secured an 86ha site on the eastern side of Country Club Drive after finalising talks with parties linked to the late property investor, Paddy Buckler.

This is why the council being able to secure an operator for the nearby Helensvale Golf Club remains a rare recent win for Coast golfers.

An alternative could have been a highrise resort on a small section of the floodprone site surrounded by about 200 homes.

Gold Coast District Golf Association secretary Barry Neill, aware of pressure on the city’s 18 courses as the longer game competes with other sports for members, is overjoyed about the publiclyowned Helensvale Golf Club gaining a second life.

“There’s no doubt about it. We fought with the members there to keep it going. It’s certainly a shot in the arm for golf itself and it’s a shot in the arm for Helensvale,” Mr Neill said.

“It’s a low-cost club. It’s a good club. I know of 100 members who have gone to other clubs. I’m fairly confident a lot of those members will return.”