Kingston Council is committed to ensuring that any future decisions regarding the Rossdale Golf Course are informed by a thorough environmental assessment.
For several months, Council has been requesting access to the site to allow independent experts to conduct an environmental audit. Unfortunately, these requests have been repeatedly refused by the club.
As previously communicated to both the club and the community, Council remains determined to undertake this important work. This week, we informed the Rossdale Golf Course that Council will be exercising its powers under the Local Government Act 1989 to enter the site and proceed with the audit.
Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said that while the club may have its own ideas for the site, a comprehensive environmental assessment was an essential step before any discussions regarding the site's future take place:
"Sometimes tough decisions need to be made to act in the best interests of our community. We have let the Rossdale Golf Course know Council will be entering the site to conduct an important environmental audit. We had tried to work with them, but after several refusals, we were left with no choice but to enact our powers to enter the site."
Council has previously undertaken similar assessments, such as at Kingswood Golf Course in Dingley Village, to ensure environmental factors are properly considered in planning decisions.
While Council remains committed to undertaking this assessment, we continue to hope for a collaborative approach with the club to minimise any disruption to its members and players.
