A balanced plan for the future of the Northcote Golf Course

Published on 23 May 2022

A Council decision will see golf continue on-site with a full nine holes and unlock 5.72 hectares of open space for the community to enjoy.

Darebin Council has decided on the future of the Northcote Public Golf Course following a Council meeting on Monday night.

The endorsed option will see golf continue on-site with a full nine holes, while unlocking 5.72 hectares of open space for the wider community to enjoy.

Darebin Mayor Cr Lina Messina said the decision was a great compromise between golf and other public uses at the site.

“We’ve worked hard to balance our passionate community’s wide range of views with this decision.”

“Despite some people wanting to see this important space used purely for golf or as a park, tonight’s outcome meets everyone in the middle,” Cr Messina said.

The plans include new connections to Warrk-Warrk Bridge, creating a valuable link across Merri Creek and along the eastern side of the golf course.

They are also a big win for Darebin’s local environment, with opportunities to conserve, protect and encourage native wildlife and vegetation along the Merri Creek corridor.

Funding for the project will need to be confirmed in Darebin’s 2022/23 budget before any detailed design starts.

Council also decided to call for a briefing on the terms and conditions of a new golf course management contract for the course, including options that might activate the course for golf prior to 3pm, with non-golf options after 3pm.

To also provide certainty for local golfers, the operator of Northcote Golf Course and Darebin’s community, the current management contract with Leisure Management Services Pty Ltd has been extended until 31 December 2022.

The decision follows extensive engagement with the community in late 2021, when over 7,000 people had their say on the project. Read the engagement report at Your Say Darebin.

Media contact

Email us or call 0448 826 487.