Golf courses in Melbourne are poised for a shake-up with the Andrews government launching an inquiry into land use and development of the lucrative land holdings.
![The fairway at the Eastern Golf Course in Doncaster, now a housing estate.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170607034908im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/9/m/r/a/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwicmh.png/1496381009114.jpg)
The move comes as greens and fairways covering more than 290 hectares have been sold for housing since 2014 but courses located outside of the urban growth boundary in green wedge areas are stuck in a holding pattern.
Documents show the aim of the enquiry is to develop a new planning framework to assess "the value of golf courses and alternative land use development proposals".
The Smorgon family's Intrapac development company could be the beneficiary of any proposal to move the urban growth boundary. Intrapac has been in negotiations to buy the 76-hectare Keysborough Golf Course since 2015 but it is locked away in a green wedge area.
The state government has established a Golf Task Force and is set to release a discussion paper seeking the views of golf clubs, local government, business, community groups and other interested individuals.
The task force will report in September and prepare a final recommendations report for the planning minister. Changes to the urban growth boundary requires a majority vote in both houses of parliament.
A government spokesman did not return calls for comment.
The enquiry comes as state and federal governments search for developable land in urban areas. Former industrial and Department of Defence "brownfield sites" are often badly contaminated and carry remediation bills running into multi-million dollar sums.
Golf courses on the other hand are often in the leafy suburban enclaves. They have been shifting further and further towards the rural fringe for the past 50 years.
Recent deals include the $60 million sale of the 67-hectare Kingston Links last year to Queensland property investor Neville Pask.
In 2014, ISPT paid around $125 million for the 53.4-hectare Kingswood Golf Club and ex-Carlton footballer spent $40 million on the 48-hectare Amstel Golf Club in Cranbourne.
The sale of the Eastern Golf Club is one of the most high-profile of the recent deals. The club sold its 47 hectares course on Doncaster Road, Doncaster to Mirvac for a staggering $100 million and shifted to links 25 kilometres away in Yering in the Yarra Valley.
Golf Victoria chief executive Simon Brookhouse said the selling trend was not new.
"Some golf courses are on to their third or fourth location," he said.
Golfing is "in transition", according to a report by Golf Victoria. The lobby group estimates there are 300,000 golfers, a significant proportion of which are over the age of 55.
Victorian numbers are not declining but the sport was attracting different sorts of users, keener on health and fun than competition. New golf courses had to be more accessible and modern, he said.
"The last thing we need is another 18-hole golf course with sign on the gate saying 'members only'," he said.
Golf Victoria's recent report found golf contributes a direct $558 million into the economy with a further $320 million ancillary benefits, including nearly $34 million in health benefits. There are 374 golf courses in Victoria and 35 driving ranges.
Golf clubs are merging in a bid to become more sustainable as member numbers fall. Waverley and Churchill Park clubs have merged and plans to relocate to Churchill Park's Endeavour Hills course would result in the sale of Waverley's Rowville course.
However the trend is reversing in Brighton where Bayside City Council recently voted to retain the 20 hectare Elsternwick Park Golf Course but increase parkland and facilities for local residents.
Bayside City mayor Alex del Porto said there had been a golf course at Elsternwick Park for more than 100 years.
"Retaining golf on the site is the most financially sensible option for the council. It provides the opportunity for some investment at Elsternwick Park without losing vital ongoing revenue from the lease of the public golf course," Mr del Porto said.