aussieashley
28th January 2011, 08:11 PM
Helensvale Golf Club in trouble? Anyone got any inside info on this one (or is this old news)?
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/01/28/287221_gold-coast-news.html
OUTRAGED Helensvale residents are demanding Gold Coast City Council (http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/) fix a drainage problem that threatens to close Helensvale Golf Course (http://www.helensvalegolf.com.au/).
More than 300 residents and club members gathered at the golf course's clubhouse last night fearing the 35-year-old club could fold within months if the matter is not fixed urgently.
Meeting organiser Robert Hall said the club was drowning.
"There is a blockage to the flow of water that used to run naturally to Lake Coombabah," he said.
"What we leased originally was a drainage reserve, now it is a water storage area.
"In times of rain it becomes a lake. In the days and weeks that follow it becomes a foul, stinking swamp with marsh grasses that cannot be mowed because of bogging of the machinery."
Mr Hall said committee members had approached the council several times for help but had only been offered excuses.
"Every time we have sought help we encounter buck-passing," he said.
"Our argument is that the council is in breach of the lease and has been in breach since day one and even before that.
"That long-term breach entitles us to damage amounting to millions."
Bernie Ryan, a club member since 1986, said lives could be lost if the blockage wasn't fixed.
"What will happen if we have the amount of rain that Toowoomba or Brisbane recently had?" he asked.
"We would lose a lot of houses in this area and lives could also be lost."
Councillor John Wayne said fixing the problem was a State Government issue.
Member for Coomera MP Michael Crandon (http://www.crandon4coomera.com.au/index_flash.html) said he would take the matter to Parliament.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/01/28/287221_gold-coast-news.html
OUTRAGED Helensvale residents are demanding Gold Coast City Council (http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/) fix a drainage problem that threatens to close Helensvale Golf Course (http://www.helensvalegolf.com.au/).
More than 300 residents and club members gathered at the golf course's clubhouse last night fearing the 35-year-old club could fold within months if the matter is not fixed urgently.
Meeting organiser Robert Hall said the club was drowning.
"There is a blockage to the flow of water that used to run naturally to Lake Coombabah," he said.
"What we leased originally was a drainage reserve, now it is a water storage area.
"In times of rain it becomes a lake. In the days and weeks that follow it becomes a foul, stinking swamp with marsh grasses that cannot be mowed because of bogging of the machinery."
Mr Hall said committee members had approached the council several times for help but had only been offered excuses.
"Every time we have sought help we encounter buck-passing," he said.
"Our argument is that the council is in breach of the lease and has been in breach since day one and even before that.
"That long-term breach entitles us to damage amounting to millions."
Bernie Ryan, a club member since 1986, said lives could be lost if the blockage wasn't fixed.
"What will happen if we have the amount of rain that Toowoomba or Brisbane recently had?" he asked.
"We would lose a lot of houses in this area and lives could also be lost."
Councillor John Wayne said fixing the problem was a State Government issue.
Member for Coomera MP Michael Crandon (http://www.crandon4coomera.com.au/index_flash.html) said he would take the matter to Parliament.