Construction is expected to start in mid-2022 with an anticipated project completion in late 2023.

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 once the project is finished. 

The driving range will be closed from 30 June 2022 during the redevelopment. 

The redeveloped facility will be run by an external operator. The successful operator will be appointed by Council following an expression of interest process.

The current operator (Golf Service Management) have agreed to continue to August 30 2022 to enable finalisation of the appointment of a new operator. Similarly, the current Turf Maintenance Contractor (All Areas Turf Management) will continue until 30 November 2022 to allow sufficient lead time for the new operator to gear up for this service.

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.)

The driving range will close on 30 June for the duration of construction work. Bulk cards will need to be fully used before this date. Any remaining use on a bulk card will not be carried over.

The golf course will still be open for playing nine or 18 holes. People can still use their multi passes during construction.

Monthly direct debits will stay in place with the current operator Golf Service Management until 16 August 2022. There will be a 14 day period from August 15 to 30 where no fortnightly charges will occur or annual membership will be available. Existing members will need to re-sign with the new operator when they commence in September. 

There will continue to be online bookings, however the platform may change depending on the new operator. This information will be communicated to golf patrons prior to the new operator starting. 

Club members will still have the opportunity to play in their weekly competitions as the course remains open for nine or 18 holes of golf. A small meeting space will be provided for club use as part of the temporary facilities.

Prior to the building works starting, the existing car park will be extended by an additional 26 spaces to 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 for golf patrons.

 

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.

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. If you have any questions or concerns about construction impacts please contact customer service on (03) 9262 6333.

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.

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.

Council is contributing $12.11 million towards this project as a strategic investment in the health and wellbeing of the Whitehorse community.

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.

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. 

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.