Consultation opens for future of Belair Golf Course

MEDIA RELEASE

The draft master plan for the former Belair Golf Course and Country Club precinct - including opportunities to increase nature-based tourism experiences in the national park – is now open for community consultation.

Key upgrades proposed in the master plan and draft amendment include:

• The inclusion of a lease to a local Mountain Bike hire and skills training business to operate from the old clubhouse in the precinct.
• Sturt Lions Soccer Club proposal to establish a new home ground on up to 10ha of the southern boundary of the precinct.
• Creating more opportunities for people to engage with nature by building a shared use trail and proposing mountain bike flow and jump trails to support a growing interest in this recreational activity.
• The removal of the Belair Function Centre and appropriate re-use of the site considered.
• New zones proposed in the draft amendment to the Belair National Park Management Plan. This will facilitate greater use and enjoyment of the former Belair Golf Course precinct that support tourist accommodation/development and heritage/recreational use.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the release of the draft master plan provided a unique opportunity for community members and stakeholders to continue to help shape the site’s future as part of Belair National Park.

“Belair is South Australia’s oldest, and also one of our most popular national parks and this is an exciting opportunity to reinvigorate the area and provide further amenities and experiences for visitors,” Minister Speirs said.

“South Australia’s parks play a crucial role in conserving our natural environment as well as stimulating local economies which is why the Marshall Liberal Government is investing a record $130 million across South Australia to improve visitor experiences.

“The Belair precinct is an important site for the local community who have made it clear they want to see the site revitalised. This redevelopment will reinvigorate and reunite the precinct back into the broader Belair National Park, while offering new experiences to benefit all visitors.

“The master plan details the use of existing and new infrastructure to create an accessible and inclusive new area of space for the community to be proud of.”

A community drop-in session will be held on 14 February to allow community members to view an artist’s impression of the master plan and provide feedback on its key features.

The draft master plan was developed in consultation with the Belair Community Reference Group to ensure the future use of the site meets community expectations. An amendment to the Belair National Park Management Plan is also proposed in order to facilitate greater use and enjoyment of the former Belair Golf Course precinct. Visit www.yoursay.sa.gov.au to find out more.