FAQs
FAQs - Redevelopment of Morack Golf Course and Driving Range
How did the redevelopment come about?
The redevelopment is an outcome of the Morack Public Golf Course Strategic Plan. This plan was developed by industry experts in 2015/16 to guide the future direction and potential development of the facility. The plan notes that to remain viable into the future, like all golf facilities, Morack needs to address several key considerations, including:
• Adapt to stay relevant in today's changing sport, recreation and hospitality market;
• Become friendlier to families, diverse groups and younger generations;
• Introduce short-format and other golf-entertainment participation options;
• Consider new business models to ensure greater facility visitation and revenue diversification and;
• Actively engage with their local community.
The redevelopment addresses these key challenges and opportunities.
How will the project benefit the community?
The redevelopment will deliver significant benefits to the community, including:
• Providing a more diverse array of social and leisure opportunities, attractive to golfers and other people in the wider community such as children, young people, families and the corporate sector;
• Providing a contemporary golf, entertainment and hospitality experience that will meet the needs of current users and attract new generations of golfers into the future;
• Providing an attractive local community facility available for both business and private functions and;
• Strengthening the Whitehorse economy.
What are the key design considerations?
• A facility for everyone
The proposed design includes facilities and future operations designed to appeal to both golfers and mini-golfers as well as families, businesses and others in the community.
Key features will include:
• New golf pavilion with golf retail, modern café, change facilities and multipurpose room to accommodate the resident golf clubs and social groups;
• Upgraded driving range from 20 bays to 25 bays with premium bay for group functions;
• New 18-hole premium mini golf facility;
• New golf cart storage facility and;
• Additional car parking.
• Preservation of the natural environment
The proposed design integrates the buildings and infrastructure within the natural landscape to retain an intimate and compact scale.
The golf pavilion has been designed to be retained within the existing building footprint, as far as possible. This will minimise any impact on the existing vegetation and allows a number of significant trees on the eastern edge of the current carpark to be retained.
The mini-golf facility re-purposes an underused open grassed area to the north of the car park.
• Orientation of buildings away from private properties
The orientation of the new golf pavilion, driving range and mini golf has been carefully considered to ensure key activity areas are facing south, towards the golf course, away from nearby residential properties.
• Best practice Universal Access standards
Throughout the site and within all buildings, the proposed design meets best practice ‘Universal Access’ standards to ensure the facility is accessible to everyone in the community.
There will be four accessible car spaces near the golf pavilion main entry. The mini-golf course will encompass four fully accessible holes.
• Improved community health and fitness
The key functional activities of the design - golf, driving range and mini-golf - provide opportunities to enhance community health and fitness.
Will the new facilities be available for general community use?
Yes. The multipurpose rooms within the new golf pavilion will be available for hire by members of the general community in addition to the resident golf clubs. The event room next to the mini-golf course will also be available for hire.
The café will provide seated dining and a take-away service for both golfers and the general community.
What is the project timeframe?
Construction is expected to start in early - mid 2022 with an anticipated project completion in 2023.
What is the project budget?
Council is contributing $9.745 million towards this project as a strategic investment in the health and wellbeing of the Whitehorse community.
Is a building permit required?
Yes. A building permit is required for the demolition of the existing building and construction of the new golf pavilion, driving range and mini golf facility.
What sustainability measures will be put in place?
Sustainability measures of the proposed design include:
• 30kw solar panel design;
• Rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and general wash down;
• LED lighting throughout;
• Increased thermal and acoustic insulation barriers and;
• Double- glazing.
How has lighting been considered?
Lighting has been carefully considered throughout the site to ensure good visibility for users of the facility while minimising the impact on the local community.
What car parking will be provided?
Prior to the building works starting, the existing car park will be extended by an additional 26 spaces. This will allow onsite public parking during the pavilion works.
Current parking restrictions will remain in place on East Road.
The existing car park entry/exit will be retained as the main entry.
Will any trees be removed?
The layout of the golf pavilion and car park has been designed so that the majority of trees can be retained. While some smaller trees will be removed, they will be replaced with new semi-advanced trees.
What about construction impacts?
All contractors will be required to put in place a Construction Management Plan to minimise the potential impacts of works, such as noise, dust and traffic disruption to the site. They are also required to operate within Environment Protection Authority standards.
Will the golf course still operate during construction?
Yes. The golf course will remain open during construction for playing nine or 18 holes.
Temporary portable buildings, with amenities and limited food/beverage offerings, will be setup on the existing practice putting green. The putting green will be reinstated at the conclusion of the redevelopment works.
The driving range will be closed during the redevelopment.
What will the operating hours of the new facility be?
The facility will operate in line with similar golf courses and golfing industry standards.
• General facility operating hours:
o Monday to Thursday, dawn to 10pm
o Friday and Saturday, dawn to 10pm
o Sunday, dawn to 9pm
Note: the café will open within the general operating hours and subject to demand.
• Golf course operating hours :
o dawn to dusk, 7 days
• Driving range operating hours:
o Mon – Thurs, dawn to 10pm
o Fri/Sat, dawn to 10pm
o Sun, dawn to 9pm
• Mini golf operating hours:
o 9.00am-8.00pm, 7 days
Who will operate the new facility?
The redeveloped facility will be run by an external operator. The successful operator will by appointed by Council following an expression of interest process.
The facility operator will be responsible for obtaining a liquor licence for the consumption of alcohol on site. Subject to approval of the liquor licence, the permitted Liquor Licensing Hours will be Sunday to Thursday 10am to 10pm and Friday and Saturday 10am to 12 midnight. (Note: the later liquor licensing hours compared to operating hours are to allow for booked functions in the multipurpose room and café, if required.)