7 December 2010

Andrew Barr says no to Vikings' golf course plans

| johnboy
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Minister for Planning Andrew Barr has made it very clear that if Vikings want to own Capital golf course they’ll need to keep running it as a golf course, and not turn half of it into units.

I have advised the Vikings Group that its proposal to redevelop the Capital golf course in Narrabundah for residential purposes will not be supported by the Government.

I have written to the Vikings Group to ensure that it avoids unnecessary expense that may be incurred in developing its plans further.

The Vikings acquired this site some years ago for the purpose of operating it as a golf course. The community therefore has an expectation that it will continue to be operated as such.

Additionally it’s clear the community does not support the Vikings proposal to convert the Capital golf course into residential development.

I think that it is important that the site should be retained as a recreational and open green space. The Government takes its role of protecting important community assets through the planning system seriously.

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Felix the Cat said :

I’m no golfer so personally don’t care either way but how can the govt knock back the Vikings wanting to build units on part of the golf course but seemingly have given approval for whoever owns Red Hill gc and Holt gc (Magpies Club?) to do exactly that?

Because at both Federal and Belconnen golf clubs, the units won’t be in place of any part of the golf course. ie on excess land.
Vikings wanted to actually get rid of the golf course and build units in its place.

Wow. I thought I was cynical.

I was just going to ask who wasn’t paid off this time around, but I-filed really made the point.

Felix the Cat4:45 am 08 Dec 10

I’m no golfer so personally don’t care either way but how can the govt knock back the Vikings wanting to build units on part of the golf course but seemingly have given approval for whoever owns Red Hill gc and Holt gc (Magpies Club?) to do exactly that?

Yeah – I’m no Barr fan, but this seems a sensible decision at this stage.

Who knows what’s actually behind this decision. Andrew “Hates History, Hates Gardens” Barr had his ears boxed recently by his leader for his “Can’t Consult” approach. Vikings Club – not in cahoots with one of the developers that Barr feels he needs to look after perhaps? Credit IF and when credit’s due, but this may be a small tactical retreat I’d say, with collateral damage he doesn’t care about (Vikings – not influential) rather than any shift in his underlying position on development – let’s see how Barr reacts when one of his “slimy pocket liner” developers’ plans are threatened …

Growling Ferret8:31 pm 07 Dec 10

Excellent. Another community facility saved from a not for profit Rugby Club/Property Developer

Yeah – I’m no Barr fan, but this seems a sensible decision at this stage.

Good to see a decent and sensible decision.

Always nice to see common sense prevail.

Legitimate concern.
Low return on poker machine revenue seems correlated with magnificent real estate value.

The Vikings Club, which is suffering reduced revenue from its poker machine licences…
Sure, it has been falling for years, but claiming it still is would need proof.
09/10 figures havent yet been released, according to ACTG&RC as recently as yesterday…

Excellent and for once unambiguous message. I just hope it fares better than some of its predecessors along those lines.

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