Melton Valley Golf Club will continue to call its long-time home base on Melton Valley Drive and High Street its own, after council unanimously moved on a new pair of leases at its Monday 24 November meeting.
The decision grants the not-for-profit club a 20-year lease term, with no further extension options, covering the 40-hectare site that includes the public 18-hole course, clubhouse, pro shop, maintenance facilities and about 80 car parks.
Under the commercial terms, the club will pay $1000 in annual rent and remain responsible for rates and ongoing maintenance – continuing the operating model it has upheld since first leasing the land in 1994.
Cr Sophie Ramsey said the golf club had served as a place of importance to Melton’s community.
“The Melton golf-club is an institution in our town. It’s been here for well over 30 years and its membership comes from far and wide,” she said.
“They look after it with the greatest amount of detail and I’m sure that will continue for the next 20 years.”
A public notice for the renewing of the lease issued earlier in the year attracted no submissions.
Cr John Verdon spoke in support, saying golf clubs were “under threat”.
“They are under threat… I think it’s a really important and significant thing that Melton continues to support our open spaces and the Melton golf club,” he said.
