City of Fremantle councillors have green-lit a major land transaction for its public golf course to be privately leased in a deal expected to launch a $19 million makeover of the grounds.
As part of the lease deal, proponents Belgravia Leisure will carry out major construction to transform the Montreal Street course to include a new clubhouse, multi-storey driving range, retail, food and beverage facilities and a course “realignment” to integrate into Booyeembara Park.
The $19 million project would also come with a contingency of $1.8 million to cover cost escalations due to pressures in the construction market.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWA three-month negotiation period began in June last year with the proponents, with the city granting approval subject to a raft of outcomes.
These included that the golf course remained affordable and accessible and any new facilities had to include reception areas, social spaces and food and beverage facilities.
The reconfiguration of the course has been in part funded by Main Roads, which snaffled part of the land to make room for the roundabout constructed at the intersection of High Street and Stirling Highway in 2020.
At Fremantle’s most recent council meeting, both Cr Ben Lawver and Cr Doug Thompson raised concerns over the city’s $3.2 million contribution to the project.
“I actually don’t think the return is worth the investment,” Cr Thompson said.
Cr Jenny Archibald said there remained some concern among nearby White Gum Valley residents over the standard that maintenance of the golf course would be held to and wanted a clause in the deal that would give the city the right to approve the new course maintenance contractor.
The course is currently maintained by the nearby Royal Fremantle Golf Club.
“We have a maintenance agreement that will be a part of the lease,” she said.
“Overall, people in White Gum Valley feel the opportunity for a driving range is quite exciting for some.”
Robert Dobson — who spoke at the meeting — raised concerns radars used by the new golf course could harm bats.
“The launchpad driving range tracks balls uses radar and operates until midnight,” he said.
“In Booyeembara Park we have a microbat population that helps remove insect population — they’re an important part of the ecology.”
City officers said the ball-tracking system proposed was used at golf courses across the world and radar systems were active “only briefly” when tracking golf balls.
The major land transaction was approved by the council, with Crs Lawver, Fedele Camarda and Thompson voting against.