Wetlands protected under new golf course plan

POINT Lonsdale Golf Club has been given the go ahead to extend its course, while plans also protect the sensitive wetlands around Lake Victoria.

The City of Greater Geelong has adopted Amendment C373, which rezones vacant farmland to the south of the club to “Special Use Zone 3”, providing for a modest golf course expansion.

The amendment modifies the previously approved Amendment C67, which allowed the course to be extended to the edges of the lake.

This area is now proposed to be back zoned to “Rural Conservation Zone”.

Mayor Bruce Harwood said this was an extremely positive outcome to what had been a long-running project.

“It will allow the golf club to improve its layout, reinvigorating a key community facility, while protecting the flora and fauna in the Lake Victoria wetlands,” Mr Harwood said.

“It’s even been suggested that the revised course design – with new holes on farmland rather than wetlands – will make for far better golf.

“It’s a genuine win-win scenario.”

The updated amendment will substantially reduce the environmental impact of the golf course extension, conserving important natural habitat.

A total of 19 submissions were received, all in support of the updated amendment.

The change does not affect the area rezoned by C67 for residential development, which is now being subdivided for housing.