THE City of Greater Geelong will negotiate new rental agreements with the East Geelong and Clifton Springs golf clubs, as the first stage of its new three-year Golf Facilities Strategy.
\nIt\u2019s intended the new arrangements will provide certainty for both clubs\u2019 futures, ensuring fairness and equity with the City\u2019s two other leased public courses, Barwon Valley and Ocean Grove.
\nThese four courses are all running sustainably under club-based management models.
\nIn voting to go ahead with the new rental arrangements during last week\u2019s meeting, council also agreed to provide extra time before the full strategy is finalised.
\nThis will give Lara and Queens Park golf clubs an opportunity to further consider and consult with members on a potential transition from City-operated to club-based management models.
\nMayor Bruce Harwood said by carrying out stage one of the strategy now, the council was able to give East Geelong and Clifton Springs golf clubs immediate certainty around their long-term futures by offering improved rental agreements.
\n\u201cHowever, it\u2019s also fair for both Lara and Queens Park that we give them the time they need to work through this process, as we assist them to transition to a club-based management model,\u201d Mr Harwood said.
\n\u201cOnce the full strategy is finalised and implemented, we\u2019re confident we will see all public courses being run sustainably by their tenant clubs.
\n\u201cJust as importantly, use of public golf facilities will remain affordable to the community.\u201d
\nThe report presented to council stated that both Lara and Queens Park have indicated \u2018in principle\u2019 support for the change but need more time to work through details, particularly in relation to water sustainability and asset renewal.
\nCouncil released a draft of the Golf Facilities Strategy 2019-21 for eight weeks of community feedback in May, receiving nine online submissions.
\nCity staff and councillors also met with clubs to discuss the proposed changes.
\nThe strategy aims to see the region\u2019s public golf clubs continuing to compete in the crowded sport and leisure market, while giving the community access to affordable golf facilities.
\nIf adopted, it will see the City of Greater Geelong step away from directly operating golf facilities over the next three years, while continuing to support clubs to achieve sustainable management models.
\nThis will include assistance to work on initiatives that will help the clubs attract women, families and younger generations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE City of Greater Geelong will negotiate new rental agreements with the East Geelong and Clifton Springs golf clubs, as the first stage of its new three-year Golf Facilities Strategy. It\u2019s intended the new arrangements will provide certainty for both clubs\u2019 futures, ensuring fairness and equity with the City\u2019s two other leased public courses, Barwon […]<\/p>\n