The future of Crescent Head golf course is clear after Kempsey Shire Council voted to enter into a new lease for the crown land it sits on and not to investigate a potential ring road.
At the April meeting, Councillors reconsidered the decision made at the previous meeting to examine the positive and negative impacts of a new road on the crown land, in addition to the golf course, prior to negotiating the new lease with Crescent Head Country Club.
In response to the strong community support for the renewal of the Cresent Head Country Club Golf Course lease on fair and reasonable terms, staff will now negotiate a new 21-year lease with the Country Club.
The suggestion of looking into the road, an idea which came from the community, sparked heated debate in the community in the last month, with a strong community attendance at both the Public Forum and Council meetings.
Kempsey Shire Mayor, Leo Hauville, thanked the community for their passionate engagement with Council on the issue.
“This is a great result for democracy, with people engaging with their elected officials to help reach a great result and secure the future of the golf course,” said Cr Hauville.
“It’s important that the facts are clear on this matter. The community were justified in being upset based on the information they received. Despite speculation to the contrary, Council never intended to implement a road in place of the golf course.
“Councillors consistently voiced support for the iconic PGA-rated 6-hole golf course. In the interests of holistic planning, it was asked if a road might be possible in addition to the course, never in place of it. Had this report been developed by staff it would have been done with due diligence and objectivity.”
Continued community engagement in Crescent Head was also secured with the decision to call for expressions of interest from members of the public who would like to join the Crescent Head Foreshore Advisory Group.
This Group will advise on plans for the Crescent Head foreshore, excluding the golf course and the operation of the Crescent Head Holiday Park.
In response to community requests, Council also decided to extend the public exhibition of the revised concept plans for Crescent Head Holiday Park until the end of May. The revised plans can be viewed and commented on through Your Say Macleay.
