Groups keen to utilise green
Everyone from nudists to disc golfers and star gazers are putting their hands up to use the now closed Oreti Sands golf course land near Invercargill.
An Australian outfit even wants to turn the area at Sandy Point into an exclusive golf resort, according to an Invercargill City Council report.
However, the Southern Institute of Technology [SIT] appears to have the inside running to lease the 60 hectare links course in the long term.
The Southland Golf Club closed the course in March because of falling membership numbers and declining revenue.
Invercargill City Council committee members this week agreed, following a recommendation from council staff, to lease the course to SIT for the next 12 months so it can investigate establishing a turf management and green keeping course for its students.
The committee’s decision has to be ratified by the full council.
Other groups also want to use the golf course land.
A council report says interest has also been expressed by the Ratho Farm Highland Resort in Tasmania wishing to turn the area into an exclusive golf resort, Disc Golf South wanting to set up a new championship disc golf course, a naturist club wanting to set up a new site for its club activities, the Southland Astronomical Society wanting to use some of the buildings and grounds, and the Invercargill Rifle Club wanting a new range.
Other inquiries about the land’s use include creating a new track for drag car racing, horse trekking, mountain biking, a training centre of Corrections Department offenders, a cross country athletics centre and a base for triathlon and multisport events.
SIT chief executive Penny Simmonds did not respond to calls.
Council parks manager Robin Pagan said he would ask the institute if it would accept the offer of leasing the course for the next 12 months while investigating its turf management course options.
If agreed, the council would maintain the golf course to its current standard for those 12 months, with the SIT lease money to be used for that purpose.
The course was not currently playable, Pagan said.
When the SIT’s 12 month lease expires, it would not be guaranteed a lease extension, even if it wanted it.
‘‘The SIT will have to reapply for a lease but it gives them 12 months to look at the proposal,’’ Pagan said.
‘‘They may decide to reapply or they may not.’’
Councillors discussed the issue at the council committee meeting on Monday.
Cr Alex Crackett questioned Pagan about the exclusive golf resort proposal.
Given it could be a boost to Southland’s economy, she asked why councillors had not also been given that option to consider.
Pagan said the Tasmanian organisation, through a third party, had said it would require holes on the edge of the sandhills and a seaside resort and tourist accommodation to make it viable.
This would virtually stop the 60 hectares being used by members of the Southland public, he said.
The Southland Golf Club had also talked to the Tasmanian organisation but did not see it as a viable option, so still closed the course, Pagan said.