The Victorian Government kicked off their planning strategy for the golf industry last week by releasing Planning for Golf in Victoria, a strategy to promote the growth and sustainability of golf for recreation and tourism purposes while addressing future land use impacts.
Planning for Golf in Victoria has been formed as part of the Plan Melbourne 2017 – 2050 Implementation Plan. A task force has been established to develop a strategy that addresses some key issues facing Victorian golf courses. These include but are not limited to, declining club memberships, rising operating costs and the contested nature of golf course land developments.
It is designed to capture the value golf courses play in urban planning and identify the full range of benefits they offer the Victorian community. Ultimately a planning decision framework for golf course land development proposals will be created.
A discussion paper outlining the details of the project has been prepared and is available on the Engage Victoria web page https://engage.vic.gov.au.
Golf Victoria CEO Simon Brookhouse welcomed the release of the discussion paper, saying that golf clubs and their communities can play a key role in developing such an important golf strategy by preparing a submission in response to the discussion paper
“All golf clubs and golf industry personnel are encouraged to develop a submission to assist the formation of this strategy” Brookhouse said.
“The more submissions we have from the golf loving public, the more influence we will have in shaping the future of our sport.” He added that Golf Victoria would be making a considered and detailed submission on behalf of the golf industry in general.
A final recommendation and framework report will be prepared by the taskforce for government’s consideration in November.
The project is being delivered by the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP) together with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Golf Victoria.