In 2019, agreed a formal investment partnership to create an affordable lifestyle living Community on land currently owned but not used by the golf club to ensure a long-term income stream for continued course and clubhouse improvement and the viability of the club.
It was called a “truly momentous day” by the golf club, stating the land lease community of up to 130 homes would be built.
Over four years later, MidCoast Council has told the golf club the site chosen for Lincoln Place’s lifestyle village would not be rezoned as it was “unsuitable”. Council gave alternatives to the Wingham Golf Club, all of which Board member Shane Greenaway said council knew the club "could not comply with".
The alternatives were to build the lifestyle resort on a portion of the golf course, and relocate the course to the unused land, or to build the resort somewhere else in Wingham.
Refusing to rezone the land leaves the club without a financial support.
"I know we're struggling like every other club because our membership fees here is only $350 a year. Where you go to Taree and theirs is $700, Harrington is $1500. But we don't want to do that. We want people playing golf here, so we want to keep our membership (fees) low," Shane said.
The SOURCE: Lincoln Place is a financial lifeline to a number of golf and recreational clubs
