Media enquiry - Oakleigh Golf Course - A Current Affair
Published on 21 November 2023
Approach from A Current Affair
We're looking at the Oakleigh Public Golf Course and the proposal to turn it into a park. I understand you're still seeking public input into the matter, is that correct?
- Why did Council initiate this idea for community consultation, why does council think this is a good idea?
- Does Council own the land the golf course sits on? Does Council get the revenue made from people using the course?
- What do you say to the organisation who uses the golf course for their NDIS program, who say this will drastically affect a number of their clients who have disabilities and use the course?
- What sort of park is being discussed as a possibility? Will it have play equipment etc?
- What’s the current status of the proposal? Is it still open for community consultation and when will a decision be made?
- Can Council help find an alternative course for the NDIS golf program to move to?
Response
In September Councillors endorsed a proposal to hear from our community on the future of Oakleigh Golf Course. We are taking feedback on two options: retaining the nine hole golf course or developing a regional park.
Council is considering the future open space and sporting infrastructure needs of the community to ensure we are making the most of the space we have available in Monash so that residents can participate and be active. This includes acknowledging the historical use of the site for golf and the importance of the site for local golfers.
There are no plans to use the Oakleigh Golf Course site for anything other than recreational open space, either as a golf course or regional park. When the consultation process finishes, Councillors will consider the next steps.
Council has directly engaged with Oakleigh Golf Club, Oakleigh Veterans Golf Club and Golf Australia as part of the consultation. We encourage the community, including Monash’s golfers, to complete our survey at shape.vic.gov.au/oakleigh-gc before 30 November.
- What do you say to the organisation who uses the golf course for their NDIS program, who say this will drastically affect a number of their clients who have disabilities and use the course?
- Can Council help find an alternative course for the NDIS golf program to move to?
During the consultation process Council has spoken with a number of groups, clubs and organisations using Oakleigh Golf Course for organised programs and activities. We encourage these groups, clubs and organisations to take part in consultation by providing feedback so this can be considered by Councillors. If Council decides to make changes to Oakleigh Golf Course, it is expected that these will not occur until 2029 at the earliest and the course will remain open for golfers during this time. Council officers would use this time to work with groups, clubs and organisations to find alternative options – which could include Council’s second public golf course at Glen Waverley.
What sort of park is being discussed as a possibility? Will it have play equipment etc?
A regional park is a large area of parkland preserved for recreational use and nature that attracts people from both inside and outside of the City of Monash.
A regional park would provide opportunities to create additional open space, natural vegetation, trails and paths, and active recreation and play facilities, and would be accessible to the whole community.
The concept design for a possible regional park shows the potential layout and configuration. If Council resolves to transform the site into a regional park, there will be further opportunities for the community to provide input into the design for the site.
Responses to other questions asked were referred to project FAQs for consistency of wording and information.
Issued: 21 November
To: A Current Affair
Quoting: Mix of attribution and background information