Frankton Golf Centre’s nine-hole course may be reduced to eight holes to make way for alternative transport options and increased road capacity as part of Queenstown’s highway upgrade project.
Tomorrow, the Queenstown Lakes District Council will consider approving consultation on the disposal of parts of Frankton Golf Centre (FGC) and the adjoining Queenstown Events Centre (QEC) to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
The disposal would be a step forward in the delivery of the government-funded New Zealand Upgrade Programme’s $115 million Queenstown package.
Council’s community services general manager Thunes Cloete said council had been working with Waka Kotahi for years to design upgrades along State Highway 6 and 6A to provide dedicated public transport infrastructure.
"As part of this work Waka Kotahi has requested to acquire parts of the Queenstown Events Centre and Frankton Golf Centre to support significant intersection upgrades through to the existing BP roundabout."
The proposal affects about 2493sqm of council-owned QEC land and 8230sqm of FGC land, which is Crown-owned through the Department of Conservation but managed by the council.
The proposed layout would require modifications to the golf centre — the first hole would be cut and the current ninth hole reconfigured, making it an eight-hole facility with a driving range.
"We’ve worked closely with golf course designers on options to reorientate the facility to ensure we can maintain a quality golfing experience for the community," Dr Cloete said.
FGC golf team leader Jamie McIsaac said the centre was comfortable with the proposal which would allow an improvement.
"It’s better than ... losing the whole golf centre.
"[It will improve] the short game area, and the facility in general, so we’re just really only losing the one short par three at the first hole."
Dr Cloete said a suggested layout would be included with consultation information and community feedback would be assessed.
"Our intention is to provide all feedback to both the Department of Conservation and Waka Kotahi as part of the decision-making process."
If approved at tomorrow’s full council meeting, a six-week formal consultation process will begin the next day.
