Blue Mountains City Council has resolved to get the ball rolling on the future of the former Lawson Golf Course and is urging the NSW Government to make the draft Crown Lands Bill available for comment by local councils to pave the way.
While council awaits the release of the draft crown lands legislation, it will continue planning for the future of the former Lawson Golf Course, a 19.5 hectare area of crown land, managed by council.
Ward 2 councillor Romola Hollywood said she was pleased that council had responded to her call for the site’s future “to be placed back on the table for discussion”.
“Council’s 2016-2017 budget has been amended so that we can commence the master planning process, in consultation with the community, for this important community land,” Cr Hollywood said.
In 2007, council conducted extensive community consultation over the site. But this process was stalled because of the crown lands review and the absence of a funding agreement with the NSW government to allow for the development of community and recreational facilities on the land, a council spokeswoman said.
Fellow ward 2 councillors Chris Van der Kley and Annette Bennett also weighed in on the issue.
Cr Van der Kley said he looked forward to “hearing from the community about what they would like to see on the former Lawson Golf Course”.
“It is important to get it right for such an important site in the Mid-Mountains,” Cr Van der Kley said.
Hearing from the community what they would like to see on the former Lawson Golf Course ... It is important to get it right for such an important site in the Mid-Mountains
- Chris Van der Kley
Cr Bennett said she was “excited about the potential for this site and how it can meet changing needs of the local and regional community”.
“I will be offering my full support to the community consultation process as we move forward on the master plan,” Cr Bennett added.
The Lawson Golf Course closed in April 2004. It is is held in trust for recreational purposes. Numerous groups use the site including a bushcare group. It is also used as a dog off-leash park.
