Extending the “outgrown” carpark at Blue Lake Golf Club will not go ahead until “considerable” consultation has been undertaken.
This follows requests Mount Gambier City Council received in November 2021 and June this year from the golf club.
On behalf of the club, secretary Stephen Smith requested council increase the current leased land parcel as well as assistance to repair and reseal the existing carpark.
Mr Smith said the club has outgrown the capacity of its current carpark.
“It was designed and built to have 89 carparks,” he said.
“We request council to support increasing the capacity of the carpark by a minimum of 261 car spaces.”
Mr Smith said the current carpark was designed for a potential of 120 members and patrons.
He attributed the need for the carpark expansion due to exceeding capacity and for the safety of patrons.
“Up until 2019, club membership was at 172 and the carpark had reached capacity,” Mr Smith said.
“Since this time membership has increased which has led to a number of members using either the nature strip on Grant Avenue, at the front of the club, or the grassed area east of the buggy shed.”
At last count, Mr Smith said membership was in excess of 350 members, and also caters to four other local community groups.
City Council is custodian of the Crown Land that has been leased to the golf club.
Council’s Corporate and Regulatory Services general manager Darren Barber recently provided elected members with a report regarding a proposal to extend the existing carpark.
Mr Barber provided an overview of lease obligations regarding the carpark proposal and the process to grant additional land.
He also highlighted a number of implications that could arise from the proposal.
“In accordance with the conditions of the dedication of the land, prior written Ministerial consent is required for development or a grant of lease over the land,” Mr Barber said.
“As custodian of Crown Land, council has an obligation to consult with the landowner and other key stakeholders.
“Noting the land is within the State Heritage Crater Lakes Precinct, any development upon the land may impact Native Title and Native Vegetation.
Mr Barber recommended public consultation and took into consideration the cultural significance of the Crater Lakes Precinct.
“It is recommended the proposal to extend the lease area, if supported, be subject to considerable community engagement and consultation with the wider community and with targeted engagement of our First Nations community,” he said.
However, the consultation process may not start until after the 2022 Local Government Election caretaker period.
Mr Barber said the proposal would also be subject to support by the incoming council.
Council has requested information on the process to gain additional land for the carpark proposal only.
“If the expansion of the lease area is supported, the implementation strategy would be the subject of further reports to council,” Mr Barber said.
Meanwhile, Mr Barber said council has no obligation for the repair, maintenance and capital upgrade or replacement of any of the club’s assets, including the carpark.
“The existing assets and improvements on the land were transferred under assignment to the lessee (Blue Lake Golf Club),” he said.
Mr Barber suggested the club apply for council’s grant funding programs and grant sources from other organisations.
If the land lease expansion and carpark extension is supported, Mr Barber said the scale of environmental implications will become evident.
“The environmental impact may be significant,” he said.
A copy of the report will be provided to the Blue Lake Golf Club.
