FoVGC Inc. would like to share some aspects and concerns informed by those with planning & development experience regarding the future of VGC.
A. Preserving VGC land to ensure potential future expansion of the golf course
(1) It is important that the Development Consent for the undeveloped holes at the top of the course is preserved and that no actions by The Country Club or developer jeopardise this. A vision for 18 holes or even 9 bottom holes plus additional top holes would be extinguished without a live Development Consent. The consent is active and ongoing.
(2) The location of any buildings, whether a clubhouse or otherwise, need to factor in the prospect of the unmade top holes being constructed at some time in the future.
(3) Linkage needs to be considered between the bottom and top of the golf course land. It is essential that a contingency plan be devised, for example, if future development of seniors living, clubhouse, Proshop, sheds, etc. takes out part of the 1st, 10th and 13th holes. There needs to be a clearly defined plan to accommodate the undeveloped holes being able to be built at some point in the future, either as a staged proposal or otherwise. These holes would link via the proposed hole located behind the dams adjacent the 10th tee, with the 11th and 12th holes remaining and then linking back to the 1st hole via a new path from the bottom of the slope on the 13th past the western end of the main dam. There could also be a possibility elsewhere to pick up an additional hole or two with some creativity/modification of the front nine.
(4) The Country Club needs to demonstrate that the golf course can function without its main water supply. There needs to be a comprehensive analysis undertaken by appropriately qualified people which will determine if the golf course can survive without the main dam (if removed for seniors living development). Adequacy of water supply, pumps and irrigation systems should be addressed and include consideration for construction of the undeveloped holes. The water supply issue needs to be addressed promptly.
B. Housing Codes implications – Issues for any proposed development on golf course land
(1) Provision of services to any development will be difficult (and expensive) due to the likely proximity of shelf rock to the surface. The ability to get natural fall to Shoalhaven City Council's sewer will be problematic for anything built on the 10th and 13th holes.
(2) The Housing Code requires the ability for new development to connect to the sewer.
(3) There are numerous provisions in the Housing Code relating to Seniors Housing. One of these requires the development to separate club facilities from Seniors Housing. Based on ideas raised by President Bob Proudfoot at recent golf sub-club meetings, it appears The Country Club is unaware of the detail in the Housing Code.
C. Considerable lack of detail regarding future VGC precinct designs
(1) Any new or renovated Clubhouse facility should be designed to include dining and function facilities at the Vincentia Golf Club precinct. This could be provision up front, or at a minimum, include a design up front to include these facilities as a staged development. Design plans should include detailed architectural and structural plans to accommodate a staged development, if the facilities are not built in one go.
(2) It is essential that Club members and the broader community be given access to detailed design plans of proposed changes, additions and/or renovations to Clubhouse and other buildings on Vincentia Golf Club land, as well as detailed plans of proposed changes, additions and/or renovations to any or all holes on the golf course. Access needs to be provided in a timely fashion with considerable lead time for members and community to review these plans well before a meeting is called for members to vote on reclassifying any part of VGC land from core to non-core.
Thanks to Rob Christlo for alerting us to these P&D issues. We hope The Country Club Board and Management can provide CC members, Vincentia residents and the broader community feedback on each of the above.