Rosny’s costly course upkeep
THE Clarence Council general manager has recommended the council not operate the Rosny Park public golf course on an interim basis, with estimates revealing it could cost between $150,000 and $200,000 a year to do so.
An expression of interest process was undertaken to find a new operator after the previous lease operated by the YMCA expired at the end of April and was not renewed by the council.
The council said it would pursue a path for golf to continue to be played at the course while a decision is made on the land’s longterm future, with the site earmarked for the council’s City Heart project. But the council said no complying tenders were received.
In a report on the tender process for the management of the golf course, Clarence general manager Ian Nelson noted $50,000 was already allocated to the maintenance of the site, based on operating costs from the YMCA.
“What has become evident to council officers throughout the tender process is that for the golf course to be operated on an interim basis, significant council investment would be required, in the region of $150,000-$200,000 per year,” Mr Nelson said in the report.
The report said the figures were well outside of what the budget would allow.
“Within the context of the current budget, council has capacity to mow the site but not to continue to maintain the site to a playable standard,” he said.
The report recommended the continued maintenance of the site as a green public open space within the limitations of the approved budget.
The report will be discussed at the Clarence Council meeting on Monday.