Councillors get a sneak peek of Coast’s new golf club

Sunshine Coast councillors today received a first-hand look at progress of the new Maroochy River Golf Club at Bli Bli.

Acting mayor Chris Thompson said councillors took the opportunity to visit the new clubhouse and Graham Marsh-designed course before it hosted its first golfers on May 30.

“On behalf of councillors, I congratulate the Maroochy River Golf Club on building the impressive new course and state-of-the-art facilities,” Cr Thompson said.

“What the club has achieved on the site is outstanding and everything is on track for this to become one of the premier golf clubs, and attractions, on the Sunshine Coast.

“The links-style course already has a character and personality that will provide seasoned and weekend golfers plenty of challenges.

"Council is proud to have assisted the golf club to create a new and exciting asset for our region."

Maroochy River Golf Club president Geoff Davies said the club was on track to move into their new home at the end of the month.

“There has been a huge amount of work done to be ready to move from Horton Park to the new course,” Mr Davies said.

“While there will be some sadness when we shut the gates of Horton Park, our members are excited about the prospect of getting onto their new course and being a part of its growth in the years ahead.

“Our new club will rank as one of the best on the Coast and will boast 18 new holes with magnificent views from Buderim to Mount Coolum.”

Cr Thompson said the current Horton Park Golf Club site was on track to become the new city heart of the Sunshine Coast.

“Maroochydore will become the city heart for the region and will be home to major civic and entertainment facilities, commercial and retail business, new residences and public open space,” he said.

"Council is proud to be creating a 21st century city that will provide new opportunities for economic growth and expansion in the region.

“Council’s investment in Maroochydore and establishment of the new development corporation, SunCentral Maroochydore with its high calibre independent board of directors, will set the framework for an international city that will provide important community facilities, attract new investment to our region and generate new jobs for local residents.

“And importantly, up to 10,000 jobs are forecast to be created over the life of Maroochydore City Centre project.”

Pic: Deputy Mayor Cr Chris Thompson with Maroochy River Golf Club president Geoff Davies on the 18th green

FAST FACTS

Maroochy River Golf Club:

• The course includes 79 bunkers and a state-of-the-art computerised irrigation system.
• There are five sets of tees on the course ranging from 6440 metres off the black tees to 5020 metres off the red tees.
• The function room will cater for a wide range of events (capacity up to 120 people. The room can be split into two for smaller events. It has a state-of-the-art AV system).
• A boardroom will cater for smaller events, meetings, seminars and functions (capacity up to 20 people, with state-of-the-art AV system).
• The day/night driving range will be open to the public.
• A Golf Technology Centre will have the latest club fitting facilities.

SunCentral Maroochydore:

• Council has invested in the creation of a new city centre for the Sunshine Coast - Australia's only greenfield CBD development.
• Council invested $42 million to acquire the Horton Park Golf Club land to plan, develop and deliver a best-practice modern city.
• SunCentral Maroochydore is being constructed on a 53 hectare site owned by the Council, including a proposed five star hotel and an entertainment, convention and exhibition precinct.
• SunCentral Maroochydore will be home to major civic and entertainment facilities, commercial and retail business, new residences and public open space.
• Approximately 21 hectares (about 40%) will be dedicated to open space and waterways.
• The development scheme for the Priority Development Area includes:
• 165,000sq m commercial gross floor area
• 75,000sq m retail gross floor area
• 2000 residential apartments.
• The staged rollout of the precincts offers ongoing investment opportunities over the next 20 years.
• The first mixed-use commercial precincts are likely to be released to market by the third quarter of 2015.