sandringham golf links project -...
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SANDRINGHAMGOLFLINKSPROJECT
STAKEHOLDERENGAGEMENT
BACKGROUNDINFORMATIONPAPER
SEPTEMBER2017
Thispaperprovides information regarding thecontext for theconceptproposal fortheSandringhamGolfLinksProject.Thepaperhasbeenpreparedtoprovidestakeholderswithbackgroundontheprojectandpromotequestionsandcommentstobediscussedatthestakeholdermeetings.
PROJECTOVERVIEWThe Sandringham Golf Links Course Project (‘The Project’) is a joint initiativebetweenGolfVictoria,GolfAustralia,PGAAustraliaandtheSandringhamGolfLinksManagementwithfundingsupportfromtheVictorianGovernment.Theprojectconceptincludesthefollowingelements:
• Publicdrivingrange:350metre(approximately)longdrivingrangeincludinggrassteesandtargetgreens.
• Publicshortgamepracticearea:Largechippingareaandputtinggreen.
• Public golf training facilities: Indoor training facilities including golfsimulators.
• Publiccafé:Publiccaféwithinthemainbuildingwithviewsoverthecourse.
• AnareaforGolfVictoriaandCourseManagement:AdministrationspaceforGolfVictoriaandSandringhamGolfLinksstaff.
• Creation of another water body: For water storage and course irrigation,reducingthecourse’srelianceonpotablewater.
• Increasethenumberofindigenoustreesandvegetation.
• Coursesafetyimprovements.
PROJECTOBJECTIVESTheobjectivesoftheproject(innospecificorder)areto:
• Provide various improvements to Sandringham Golf Course in line withpreviouslyidentifiedneedsfromcommunityconsultation.
• Growtheparticipationinthesportandusageofthegolfcourseparticularlythroughengagingnewmarketssuchasyoungpeopleandtime-poorplayers.
• Generate additional revenue to support the operations of the Course andensureitsfinancialviabilityintothefuture.
• Providehighqualitypracticefacilitiesforallplayersofalllevelsfromsocialtotheelitetodeveloptheirskillsaswellasforskilledplayerstohaveaccesstohighperformancetrainingfacilities.
The Project represents a significant investment into golf in the region and theSandringhamGolfLinkscourse.
PROJECTBENEFITSThebenefitsoftheproposalinclude:SPORT/SOCIAL
• Providesadditionalshortcourseoptionstoencourageparticipationfornewmarketssuchasyoungerpeopleortime-poorplayerswhilstretainingthe18-holecourse.
• Provides new and improved facilities for users of the Sandringham GolfCourse.
• Reconfiguresparticulargolfholestominmisetheriskoferrantgolfballs.
• Improvesgolftrainingfacilitiesforparticipants.
• Providesenhancedamenitiesforparticipants.
• EnablesSandringhamGolfLinksManagementtorunprogramstogetschoolchildren,beginnersandfamiliesintogolf.
• EnablesimprovedprogrammingofSandringhamGolfLinks.
• Provides Council with an opportunity to expand the Sandringham LeisureCentretoaccommodategrowingusageandparticipationlevels.
ENVIRONMENTAL
• Provides for the renewalof indigenousvegetationvia removalofvinesandweedsaswellastherenewalanddiversificationofthenativeandindigenousfloraatthecourse.
• Replacementof native indigenous flora at SandringhamGolf Linkson a 3:1basisforanyremoval.
• Lakes one and two increasewater-holding capacity,which can be used forcourse irrigation, reducing potable water consumption for the golf course.BothoftheselakeswillbefullyfundedbytheGolfBodies.
• Lake three on the golf course would provide a further water source forCouncil’scommunityrecreationneeds. ThedevelopmentofthislakewouldbesubjecttoCouncilfunding.
FINANCIAL
• Provides investment and improvements to a Council at no cost to theratepayers.
• Reduces recurrentmaintenance costs for Council by replacing aging assetswithnewfacilities.
• TheProject’sgolfcomponentsarefullyfundedbytheVictorianGovernment,Golf Victoria and the Sandringham Golf Links Management and are notreliantonanyCouncilfunding.
BACKGROUNDGOLFTRENDS
• The number of golf rounds played between 2012 and 2015 is increasingnationally(12.1%)andinVictoria(16.5%).
• Whilstgolf iscommonlyplayedbymiddleandolderadults (topfiveactivityfor45+agecohort)childrenhaveaverylowparticipationrate.
• Topthreedriversforgolfparticipantsarefun/enjoyment,socialreasonsandphysicalhealthorfitness(2017AusplaySurvey).
• Golf needs to focus on developing fun and social options for the game,followedbyoptionstoplayashortgame(2015GolfLandscapeResearch).
• Golfneeds tooffer shortcourseoptions for sixandninehole formats, thatcomplements the18hole tradition (GolfAustraliaParticipationPlan2013–2016).
• Theshortcourseoptionswillenablegolf tocater foranageinganddiversepopulation(FutureofAustralianSport,CSIRO).
• The trend in new golf development internationally appears to be towardshort,compactcoursesthatarepublicandfamily-friendly.
SANDRINGHAMGOLFLINKSCOURSE
• The overall number of rounds played at Sandringham Golf Links hasdecreasedby25%fromahighof93,000in1999to70,000in2016.
• Despite an overall decline in the number of rounds, the number of 9-holeroundsplayedhasbeengrowing. Over50%ofroundsatSandringhamGolfLinksare9holes.
IDENTIFIEDCOMMUNITYNEEDS
Bayside City Council previously undertook research and commissioned strategicreportsforgolfin2008and2012.Thesereportsprovidedthefollowinginsights:
• 75%ofusersoftheSandringhamGolfCourseareaged50yearsandover.
• Themajorityofgolfersindicatedthattheywouldusedrivingrangefacilitiesifprovided.
• Golfers previously advised that the course would benefit from practicefacilitiesforshortgameandputtingpractice.
COUNCILCouncil,atitsmeetingon25July2017,consideredareportontheProjectproposalandsupportedGolfVictoriaandSandringhamGolfLinksManagementtocommencestakeholderandcommunityconsultation.THEPROJECTTEAMTheGolfBodieshaveengagedWaypoint,aBrightonbasedconsultingfirm,toassistintheplanninganddeliveryoftheproject.RichardSimon,fromSimonLeisureConsulting,hasbeenengagedtocoordinatetheConsultationprocessandprovideindependentadvicetotheProjectteam.
CONCEPTDESIGNA draft concept plan has been developed for the Project which includesmodificationstothedesignofthecoursetoinclude:
• Modified course layout including revised tee and greenpositions, includingsomeadvancedteepositionsthatprovidetheoptionforplayerstofocusontheirshortgame.
• Newdrivingrangefacilitywithvariedgreen/pinpositionstoallowplayerstopracticeshotvariety.
• New main building inclusive of public facilities, high performance golfgymnasium,administrationroomsandcafé.
• Additionalwaterbodytoenableincreasedwatercaptureandstorageonthecourse.
CONSULTATIONPROCESSPHASE1–CONSULTATIONBACKGROUNDPAPERTheConsultationBackgroundPaperwillbemadeavailabletokeystakeholdersandthecommunitytoprovidebackgroundandcontextontheProject.Stakeholdersareencouraged to review thepaper andbring alongquestions and comments for thestakeholdermeeting.PHASE2–STAKEHOLDERMEETINGSAnumberofstakeholdermeetingsareplannedtoenablediscussionontheProjectproposalandgatherfeedbackontheconcept.TheProjectGroupwillnotequestionsand comments for response or consideration in the concept plan developmentprocess.InconsultationwithCouncil,thefollowingstakeholdershavebeenidentified:GOLFCLUBS
• SandringhamAssociatesGolfClub• SandringhamGolfClub• EastBentleighYMCAGolfClub• MawarraYMCAGolfClub• MentoneGolfClub• JapaneseGolfAssociation
ENVIRONMENTALGROUPS
• BeaumarisConservationSociety• BaysideCommunityNursery• BaysideFriendsofNativeWildlife
NEARBYTENANTS
• SandringhamBasketballAssociation• SandringhamFacilityLeisureCentreTenants• RoyalMelbourneGolfClub• VictoriaGolfClub
SURROUNDINGRESIDENTS
PHASE3-MEETINGMINUTESDISTRIBUTEDMeeting minutes will be prepared and distributed shortly after the meeting tocapturethediscussion.Questionsandcommentswillbenotedforconsiderationintheconceptplanandfutureresponse.PHASE4–PROJECTGROUPRESPONSETOISSUES/QUESTIONSRAISEDHavingconsideredquestionsandcommentsontheconcept,theProjectGroupwillprovidearesponsebacktostakeholders.PHASE5-FINALCONSULTATIONREPORTFollowing conclusion of the stakeholder consultation sessions, a comprehensiveConsultationReportwillbepreparedbySimonLeisureConsulting. TheReportwilldocumenttheconsultationprocess,keyissuesraised,responsestostakeholdersandanyrecommendeddirections.TheConsultationReportwillbepresentedtoCouncilofficersforconsiderationataCouncillorbriefingorCouncilmeeting.PHASE6–REGULARUPDATESGolfVictoriawillprovideregularupdatesontheProjectthroughitswebsitewww.golfvic.org.au/sandringhamproject
ISSUESANDOPPORTUNITIESThefollowingisasummarylistofissuesthathavebeenconsideredtodateinthedevelopmentoftheprojectconceptandplanning.SPORT
• Changestothecourse layoutandlength:Themainchangetothecourseisfocusedaroundtheproposedareaforthedrivingrangewhichimpactsontheexisting holes 1 and 9 (closest to CheltenhamRoad). The proposalwill beworkedthroughwiththestakeholderstocarefullyconsideranyimpacts.
• Builtformofanyproposedbuildings:Theproposedbuildingwillbelimitedto two storeys. The ground floor will be predominantly coaching facilitiesthat will be available to the public, a swing analysis laboratory, pro shop,publiccaféandamenities.Thereareseveralnewservice/golfactivitiesthatwillbeavailabletothecommunity,theseincludeashortgamepracticearea,accesstogolfswinganalysisandgolfindoorsimulators.Thesecondfloorwillhousemodestadministrativespace.
• Impact on existing users of the Sandringham Golf Links course: TheproposalincludesmoreplayingandpracticeoptionsfortheGolfCourseusersthrough thedeliveryofadriving range,practicechippingandputtingareasand short course playing options. The proposal also provides highperformance coaching tools and technology that will be accessible to thepublic.
• Retentionof18holegolf course layout:Therevisedgolfcourse layoutwillretainall18holesinacontemporarylayoutthatappealstoabroaderrangeofusers.
ENVIRONMENTAL/AMENITY
• Impactontreesandvegetation: Theproposalhascarefullyconsideredtheimpactonexistingtreesandvegetationandminimisesthelossofindigenoustrees. The proposed minimal removal of old tired vegetation at the golfcoursewillbereplacedona3:1basis.
• Impactonsurroundingresidentialareas:Theproposalincludingtherevised
golf course layout and the proposed building is confined to within theexistinggolf coursesite. Thepublicdriving range isplanned foruseduringdaylight hours andwill not include lighting. The Proposal is therefore notexpectedtohaveadirectimpactonnearbyresidents.
FINANCIAL
• Cost impactof theseadditional facilities togolf courseusers: There isno
proposed change to pricing for golf course use as a result of the proposal.Golfcourseuserswillbeabletoaccessthedrivingrangeforafee.
• Public access to these facilities: The golf course, driving range, café and
amenitieswillallbeavailabletothepublicforuse.
NEXTSTEPSConsultation will be occurring with Project stakeholder including communityworkshopsduringtheSeptember/October2017period.Projectenquiriesshouldbedirectedto:[email protected]