Council assistance sought for new Maleny facility
By Mitch Gaynor
PLANS for the final crucial element to one of South East Queensland’s best golf clubs is on course with designs finalised for a $2.5 million brand new clubhouse for the Maleny Golf Club.
With the support of Maleny Precinct lessees Barung Landcare, the Maleny District Sport and Recreation Club (MDSRC) and Friends of Pattemore House – joint funding options are now being pursued to finance key initiatives of each group, including a clubhouse for the golf club.
Advocates for the new clubhouse say the new building would serve to enhance Maleny’s reputation as a go-to destination for golfers and encourage further overnight tourism to benefit the wider community.
The clubhouse could also become the ideal meeting place not only for golfers but for community groups looking to host events. It would also serve as an education centre for Barung, while the sustainably designed building aims to align with the environmental aspirations of the Maleny community.
It would continue to be the meeting place for the Brisbane Astronomical Society including public Dark Sky viewing events. The Precinct lessees said that funding the clubhouse, an education centre for Barung, gym, playing fields, restoration of ‘The Bails’, and trail upgrades could all be delivered through the sale of residential lots identified in the 2010 Maleny Community Precinct Master Plan. Golf Club General Manager Mr Stephen Porter said one of those areas included four housing lots on North Maleny Road which have since been developed, and another portion which was sold to become part of the Cloudwalk Estate.
“We’ve all supported a proposal put to Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) to sell a further six lots on North Maleny Road to provide vital financial assistance for construction of the shared clubhouse and the other initiatives championed by Barung, the MDSRC and Friends of Pattemore House,” Mr Porter said. “Importantly, Council will retain ownership of all these key improvements.” Mr Porter said Maleny’s golf course, situated on precinct land leased from the SCC, was now widely recognised as one of the finest in the region.
“As an emerging destination golf course, we are now attracting many visitors who not only generate about 70 per cent of our income, but are giving local business a significant revenue boost as well,” he said. “Thankfully, SCC provided us with a grant to develop an impressive design for the clubhouse, and we hope they will now get right behind the efforts to finance construction and contribute funding as well.” Mr Porter said convincing the Queensland and Commonwealth governments to help fund construction of the shared clubhouse would stand a much better chance of success if the SCC, as the ultimate owner of the asset, also contribute