Course Development
MELBOURNE’S “MISSING LINK” THREATENS
TO DEMOLISH HEIDELBERG GOLF CLUB
By Mathilda Andersson
Government plans to build a new toll road in
Melbourne’s North East, in an attempt to curtail heavy
congestion on suburban roads, could see the end of
the Heidelberg Golf Club.
Last year, transport industry bodies called for the
Victorian State and Federal government to take
action regarding the “missing link” in Melbourne’s
metropolitan ring road, and to address safety
concerns along Rosanna Rd and Banyule roads.
The Andrews Government published last month four
development options for the North East Link which
will link Melbourne’s M80 Ring Rd to the Eastern
Freeway or EastLink.
According to the recently unveiled corridor maps,
route B – one of the more favourable tracks due to a
more modest price tag than some others - runs along
transmission lines straight through the Heidelberg golf
course located in Lower Plenty.
According to Heidelberg Golf Club General Manager
Lindsay Bell, the club, staff and its members have
been left in the dark and are concerned about the
club’s future.
“We have received no information about the proposed
route of the North East link project other than what
can be read online,” Bell said. “We have been left out
of any consultation process
and it’s really disappointing
to the club, members and
residents.”
Established in 1927,
Heidelberg is one of the
oldest golf and bowls clubs in
Australia and a long-standing
community gem with around
1050 current members.
“Heidelberg Golf Club is a superb community asset
providing golf and bowls facilities to members and to
the public. Unlike many other clubs, HGC fully owns
its valuable land and heritage clubhouse. It has defied
industry trends in delivering trading surpluses,” GM
Bell added.
“The Club is also the venue of choice for local
businesses and individuals for their meetings and
social events. The uncertainty associated with this
potential proposal has alarmed our members not to
mention local residents who are seeking information
from us that we don’t have.”
The North East Link Project has stated that all options
will involve some property acquisitions, crossing the
Yarra River and upgrades of existing roads.
“The four possible corridors have been determined
through extensive works spanning the entire north-
east, including geo-technical investigations, traffic
modelling, environment studies and discussions with
community groups, businesses and local residents,”
the website said.
“Each corridor has been
assessed against a range of
measures including key local
concerns such as reducing
congestion, getting trucks of
residential roads, as well as
the impact on urban areas
and the environment.”
According to the North East Link Project, a business
case will be prepared once a preferred route is
selected later this year.
NOTE:
Golf Industry Central has unsuccessfully
tried to reach the North East Link Project for
a comment.
Golf Industry Central I Spring 2017
29