By Jessica Micallef
Kyneton Golf Club is considering selling a significant parcel of its land to a developer.
Club committee members voted on Saturday night to advance to the next stage of the potential sale of part of the golf club’s land to developer GemLife.
GemLife provides what it calls “independent living for over-50s”.
Club president Adrian Hanks said 65 committee members attended a closed meeting on Saturday night, voting by show of hands on the GemLife proposal.
“A vote was put forward [and] only one person voted against it and now it goes through to the next stage,” he said.
“The next stage will be then taking it to council.
“It’s still a proposal – there’s still no contract signed, there’s nothing legally binding.”
Mr Hanks said the potential sale would “secure the future of the golf club”.
A plan obtained by Star Weekly shows 172 dwellings to be built on the golf club’s land, with modifications to be made to existing greens and new greens to be created.
Mr Hanks did not disclose how much land was for sale.
A Kyneton resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told Star Weekly it was a “drastic action” to sell part of the golf club and that there were alternatives.
“The wildlife suffers, the people that live in a rural area – that have come out here for that purpose – suffer,” the resident said.
“This is rural living, this is nowhere near town.
“The roads can’t handle that. When you pull out of Blackhill Road on to Baynton Road, it is very dangerous.
“How about the community pulls together and save the golf course?
“How about getting to the schools and try and get a government grant to promote girls in sport? They just think it’s easier to sell off a chunk of land.”
Founded in 1900, the club was originally located at Three Chain Road, Kyneton, before moving to Baynton Road in 1909.
The club was forced to find a new site in 1949 after 115 acres of leased land was sold. The club then bought 152 acres at Blackhill Road, its current location.
