Neighbours fight golf course rezoning
WA golfers have been urged to join the fight against plans to redevelop South Guildford's Rosehill golf course, with opponents claiming the move could spark course closures around the State.
Rosehill, which has been owned by the Gatti family for decades, was recently sold to a developer which wants the land rezoned for a housing estate.
Residents whose homes back on to the course said it would set a dangerous precedent by encouraging other private owners to cash in on the demand for land.
"If Rosehill is rezoned urban, it will be very difficult for the Government to reject the next golf course rezoning application and the next one after that and the next one after that," South Guildford Action Committee chairman John Squire said.
About 200 residents with homes bordering the course rallied at the weekend, calling on golfers around the State to voice their concern when the rezoning application is put out for public comment next month.
The City of Swan has given in-principle support, but the WA Planning Commission makes the final recommendation to the minister.
The new owners of the course, Rosehill Waters Pty Ltd, are yet to release development plans, but it is understood about 600 lots have been proposed for the 47ha site.
Residents claim the redevelopment would impact heavily on their lifestyle and some had paid a premium for lots overlooking the course.
But Rosehill Waters general manager Sandra Bransby said residents were warned when they bought their blocks that the Gatti family did not support development around their course. The Gattis also did not profit from the sale of land around the course.
"It is not zoned recreation and it is not an area of public open space … it has always been privately owned," Ms Bransby said.
"We hope that people will see that (the development) will actually in the long-term be a benefit for the whole area and not just those that have a view on to the course."
Golf WA chief executive Gary Thomas said he sympathised with Rosehill residents, but did not share their concerns about other golf courses following suit.
"We do not want to see any golf courses lost … but most of those that are in private hands are highly successful and profitable businesses," he said.
