A new, secretive bid to redevelop Pakenham Golf Course has emerged with a group of business-savvy golfers requesting an audience with the council to propose their appointment as the new committee of management.
The group that currently goes by Cardinia Golf was formed in the last few weeks, after a collection of business leaders and fellow golfers saw an opportunity to band together to propose a new direction for the course.
Withholding the names of those involved was requested for this article.
The intended plans of the group so far involve rebuilding the green for a standard 6000m 18-hole course.
Building a roof over the driving range and installing lights for its use in the evening is also currently among the group’s ideas
A meeting with Cardinia Shire officers, including interim-CEO Peter Benazic, has been requested.
Correspondence, seen by the Gazette, shows the council’s initial willingness to meet with a request for Cardinia Golf to prepare an agenda.
The emails reveal that before this first proposed meeting, a non-disclosure agreement was proposed by Cardinia Golf as well as a request to access financial records about the site.
As a Golf Victoria-assisted feasibility study is currently underway, the council determined the meeting could present a conflict of interest as councillors will be expected to determine a way forward.
Cardinia Golf was advised that after the current study by an independent body, their proposal can be put forward if golf is determined as viable.
In just the first few weeks of its existence, Cardinia Golf reports that they are “well advanced” in their own assessment of financial feasibility for golf.
They have questioned the council’s motivation due to their current refusal to meet.
An independent feasibility study is already underway, initiated by the council and with the assistance of Golf Victoria.
Expected to return results in the coming months, the council has said before that the parameters revolve mostly around the revival of the reserve as a golf course.
Councillors will deliberate over the results of the study once it is concluded; they will have the final say over the future direction of the course.
