City invites ideas for Newtown golf land

THE City of Greater Geelong is inviting ideas about its proposal to offer a 21-year lease on a Newtown golf course.

Submissions opened on Monday this week about the Crown land site at 19-33 Marnock Road, managed by the city and now occupied by the Balyang Par 3 Golf Course.

According to the city’s Your Say page, the city is seeking “innovative solutions to transform the space into a family-friendly, fun, exciting golf product for the long-term benefit of the Greater Geelong community”, with the eventual outcome to be “an investment into the golfing, lifestyle, recreational and wellbeing needs of the community in a safe and inclusive manner”.

Concepts for the site could include expanded and upgraded clubhouse facilities with a tailored hospitality offering, a driving range with state-of-the-art ball tracking technology, a mini-golf course, a short format golf course, and other entertainment features that would complement the overall experience.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the proposed lease aligned with the Golf Facilities Strategy adopted by the council in November 2022.

“Council recognises the outstanding potential of this site and is excited by the prospect of what it could become.

“I am confident there is a great entrepreneurial spirit within our region and that people will have some wonderful ideas to maximise the value of this space.”

Cr Eddy Kontelj, encouraged the community to head to the Your Say page.

“Golf facilities are moving towards having a focus on providing entertainment for everyone,” he said.

“Fresh and innovative ideas are required to help transform this site into a space that offers something for a broader market.”

Under the Local Government Act, the city must run community engagement in accordance with its community engagement policy before entering into a lease on Crown land for 10 years or more.

Submissions close on August 30.

For more information, head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/balyang-golf-club-lease