2021-03-15 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                  15 MARCH 2021


   The application was supported by a range of supporting material including:
   •    Town Planning Report
   •    Acoustic Report
   •    Traffic Engineering Report
   •    Geotechnical Investigation Report
   •    Ecological reports
   •    Engineering Services Report
   •    Bushfire Hazard Assessment and Management Plan
   •    Economic Need Assessment
   •    Community Needs Assessment
   •    Infrastructure Agreement
   •    Unitywater Decision Notice
   It is the applicant’s position that the proposal provides for the following community benefits,
   a number of which are proposed to be delivered via an Infrastructure Agreement between
   Council and the applicant.
   Supporting the viability of an important community sports club (the Cooroy Golf Club)
   The Cooroy Golf Club is an important community use which has been experiencing financial
   hardship as a result of a declining membership base.
   GemLife agree to be bound by an Infrastructure Agreement that will deliver a number of
   financial and social benefits to the Cooroy Golf Club in an effort to make sure the club stays
   viable into the future. A summary of these committed benefits is provided below:
   a)    Guaranteed membership boost – Guaranteeing 1 golf membership per new dwelling
         in the GemLife resort for a period of 10 years.
   b)    New clubhouse facilities – Construction and fitout of a new golf clubhouse with a
         dedicated pro shop, restaurant, café, function room, outdoor deck and terrace area.
         This clubhouse has been designed to accommodate weddings and functions so that
         the club will have the ability to generate supplementary income from such events (in
         addition to golf course activities).
   c)    New and safer access – Safer vehicle access to the golf course and clubhouse via a
         new private road and associated access rights. This is a significant improvement upon
         the existing access and car park from Myall Street.
   d)    New and larger car park – A new car park with 97 dedicated car spaces to cater for
         patrons of the golf course and clubhouse (significantly more than the current car park
         capacity).
   e)    New golf buggy storage facilities – A new golf buggy storage shed with space for
         the permanent storage of 40 carts.
   f)    Modifications to golf course – Reconfiguring the golf course to maintain 18 holes
         whilst accommodating a newly re-located club house, car park and associated access.
   Promoting synergy between the golf course and GemLife retirement resort – GemLife
   are committed to promoting a genuine synergy between the Golf Club and the retirement
   resort. The benefits of co-locating retirement living with other land uses is well documented
   as being a positive impetus for social interaction and inclusion. The GemLife community will
   result in a population of around 500 people on the doorstep of the golf club, many of whom
   will take advantage of their included membership by taking up the sport or taking advantage
   of the dining / leisure opportunities available in the clubhouse. GemLife is optimistic that this
   development will re-enliven the club’s membership base and result in improved social
   opportunities for both Golf Club members and GemLife Residents.


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