FAQs
- Cronulla Golf Club
- Sylvania Par 3 Golf and Soccer
- Planet Putt
- X-Golf
- a condition assessment of Council-owned golf facilities
- a review and benchmarking of potential golf management models
- alignment with key stakeholders such as local community clubs, Golf NSW, and other relevant bodies.
Why is Council preparing a Golf Facilities Plan?
Developing a Golf Facilities Plan is one of the key priorities in our Sport Strategy and Implementation Plan. This plan highlighted Council's commitment to maintaining and improving golf facilities as part of our broader sport strategy.
The draft Golf Facilities Plan has been prepared to ensure our golf courses and facilities meet the needs of our growing community. It provides a strategic approach to future investment, facility improvements and long-term planning.
What is the purpose of the plan?
The Sutherland Shire Golf Facilities Plan aims to enhance golf facilities within the Shire. The plan provides Council, golf clubs, course operators, and the community with a clear understanding of the current situation, usage trends, and challenges regarding our three Council-owned courses.
It outlines clear and practical actions geared towards improving the long-term sustainability of Council’s golf facilities while maintaining high levels of usage and participation across these courses.
Which golf courses are included in the plan?
The draft plan covers our three public golf courses in Woolooware, Kareela, and Barden Ridge.
As part of the broader review that contributed to the development of the plan, we considered golf services at other facilities, including:
What are the key elements of the plan?
The plan involves developing tailored management models that include:
The actions in the plan aim to keep our courses well-used while offering more diverse opportunities to attract new users through different play formats. It also provides a roadmap for ongoing and future investment.
What consultation with the community has been done so far?
Council asked for input from the community in 2021 as we prepared the Sport Strategy and Implementation Plan, and again in 2022 when the draft strategy was shared.
In mid-2024, Council conducted a review of council-owned golf facilities using a coordinated and targeted consultation approach to gather information on current usage and participation rates, trends, values, needs, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
As part of this review, we engaged in extensive consultation with both the community and key stakeholder groups, including NSW Office of Sports, existing leaseholders and facility operators, local coaches, schools, Sport and Active Communities Reference Group, as well as other user groups to ensure a comprehensive approach to planning.
How have you addressed previous feedback?
We heard that our golf courses are highly valued and well-used by the community and that existing clubhouses and amenities need improvement.
In response, the draft plan proposes actions to improve facilities and explore a broader range of golfing options that better suit busy lifestyles. It also outlines steps to make golf more accessible and inclusive, ensuring more people can enjoy the game.
A key focus of the plan is to strengthen the long-term sustainability of our courses by lifting operating standards and continuing to improve the quality of our facilities.