Next move in golf course battle

The campaign to save North Lakes golf course is not over - despite plans for a 68-bay driving range being refused this week.

JH Northlakes has announced its next move following Moreton Bay City Council’s decision to reject its development application for part of the former course.

A spokesperson for the company said: “JH Northlakes is disappointed at City of Moreton Bay’s refusal of an application to return golf to its North Lakes site.

“JH Northlakes is of the view that the proposed driving range is a permitted use on the land and will be appealing the refusal to the Planning and Environment Court.

“We hope that this matter can be resolved in mediation with Council.”

On Monday, Council knocked back proposals by JH Northlakes for a driving range, pro shop, bar, restaurant and conference/function facilities.

The plan was to use 2.1 hectares of the 67-ha former course, including the Bridgeport Drive clubhouse and three holes running parallel directly north.

After Council’s decision, Save North Lakes Golf Course (SNLGC) spokesperson David Orr said the community had been “anxious” about the privately-owned land.

“On behalf of the community, we sincerely thank Council for its painstaking and thorough approach to reaching the decision,” he said.

“We thank those who made over 300 submissions against the proposal (an extraordinary result given it was not formally notified for consultation) which we know were taken into account in framing the decision.”

Mr Orr said Council ruled the application “does not comply,and cannot be made to comply with the Mango Hill Infrastructure Development Control Plan” which covers North Lakes.

“Beyond this, the land remains privately owned, so the ball is in the developer's court.

“SNLGC's goal remains the same: to restore the land as a golf course, have it maintained as a golf course, as always intended, with a clubhouse and beautiful surrounding environment for everyone to enjoy.”

Council’s ruling follows JH Northlakes’ 2023 decision to withdraw plans for up to 250 retirement homes and a 12–bed residential care home covering 14ha.

That, in turn, came after a five-year battle by SNLGC to retain the land as a golf course and two years after the course itself closed.

However, an application, through the State Government MID process, is still anticipated for a new school on the southern end of the former golf course.