Stock picture.
Camera IconStock picture. Credit: Supplied/James_Thomas_Photo

Wanneroo Council endorses golf courses strategic plan

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

BARS, restaurants, mini golf and six-hole formats are some of the ideas proposed to renovate public golf courses in Perth’s north.

Function centres, tourism accommodation, walking trails and smart technology were also suggestions in the City of Wanneroo’s Golf Courses Strategic Plan.

The plan, unanimously endorsed by the council on October 15, outlined ways to improve Carramar and Marangaroo golf courses over the next 15 years.

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“The plan describes how the golf courses will become more appealing to a wider range of users by introducing new services and facilities,” it said.

“The clubhouses were built more that 25 years ago.

“They are now due for major renovation to meet expectations and to expand the range of uses.”

The plan said the City intended to retain the facilities for people to play 18 holes at both courses, improvements could include revising the layout to allow for shorter games with six or nine holes.

It could also improve driving range and practice areas and install floodlights, as well as introduce technology such as Top Tracer and automatic ball dispensers.

The plan said a recent survey showed about 70 per cent of people using the courses were aged over 50, and a similar proportion were male.

“The potential to introduce more contemporary facilities, activities and events, albeit around a golfing theme, aimed at attracting families, women, young people and non-golfers to golf courses is to be explored,” it said.

Cr Samantha Fenn said the potential changes could encourage more people to take up the sport, including young and “time-poor” people.

“Golf is one of those sports that has longevity, for the time that we are old enough to swing a club to the time that we are just about falling over,” she said.

The plan said the natural surroundings of the courses were also appealing aspects.

“The natural flora and fauna presents an opportunity to attract non-golfers whilst still preserving the environment, perhaps with the introduction of walking trails and fauna tours,” it said.

Carramar Golf Course. Photo: Martin Kennealey
Camera IconCarramar Golf Course. Photo: Martin Kennealey Credit: Supplied/Supplied

A council report said Crosbie and Duncan Golf leased and managed the Carramar facilities from the City, while Duncan-Crosbie Pro Golf leased and managed Marangaroo, and they had been consulted in development of the plan.

It said both leases would expire in August 2022 with no further options to extend them.

“Revenue has been trending down in the past five years although the past three years have included significant capital works which have affected income generation,” the report said.

“The City is expecting modest growth for 2019-20 due to the excellent condition of the golf courses and with no major capital expenditure.”

Cr Domenic Zappa said the courses were assets that “the whole community owns” and a generated positive return that could reduce the overall burden on ratepayers.

The City ran an online survey as part of its golf course review in 2018.