Merewether Golf Club is celebrating today.
The Newcastle-based club, located two hours north of Sydney between Adamstown and Merewether, has just been handed its site compatibility certificate for the development of an impressive, $120 million seniors’ living village.
The certificate – received after a unanimous decision from the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel – provides the mechanism for future development consent to be obtained from Newcastle City Council across the site.
Merewether GC has teamed up with property developer Thirdi Group to envisage a project that looks to include: a new clubhouse; sports bar; pro shop & conference centre; as well as the provision for 148 serviced, self-care seniors’ living units and wellness centre, within a multi-story tower development with basement parking and associated facilities.
“We are absolutely thrilled with this outcome,” said Merewether Golf Club board member Aaron Spalding.
“We started this process close to four years ago and the SCC is the strongest indication yet our shared vision of a creating a world-class golfing facility and seniors’ living precinct is now on track to become a reality.”
Added Luke Berry from Thirdi Group: “These are the sorts of developments our community needs in a COVID-19 recovery, providing jobs during construction and importantly providing housing for those that have been identified as our most vulnerable during the crisis.
“We estimate that our project will create over 1,000 jobs in the region during construction and close to 100 ongoing jobs when the new club, facilities and seniors living village is operational.”
Merewether’s golf course was established in 1933 and currently features tight, tree-line fairways with strategic bunkers and numerous water hazards.
The club’s board has commissioned golf course architect James Wilcher, founder of Golf by Design, to provide course design assistance – and the following changes to the course would be made should the development go ahead …
- Dismantle the existing 18th hole to cater for the proposed development.
- Split the existing par-5 11th into a par-3 and a par-4.
- Extend the existing 16th to become a dogleg left par-4
- Consolidate the dam infrastructure … This is yet to be finalised but current considerations include: Additional dams proposed for the current 1st, 2nd and 8th holes; modifying the dams on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes.
- Extend the existing 9th to become a par-5
- Change the 7th and 8th from a par-4 and par-3 to become a par-3 and par-4 respectively.
Thirdi Group will now work with the golf club and its consultants to finalise its Development Application and lodge with Newcastle City Council later in May or June this year.
Further details of the multi-million dollar project – including draft designs – can be found by visiting the club’s website.
