Time for Change
The golf course built in the 1960s can better serve our community.
By creating an environment where golf, native vegetation and animals all thrive and local community groups gather, Northcote grows too.
It’s time for a golf, sporting and multi-purpose community hub in the city of Darebin.
It’s time for the HUB.
Improve the Golf Course
Northcote Public Golf Course was created from land acquired by the Northcote City Council. It opened in December 1962 with 1,000 people attending an exhibition match between four great amateur players of the day, Doug Bachli, Tom Crow, Ralph Judd and Les O’Shay.
Sixty years later Northcote is still a good golf course.
When COVID restrictions were lifted, golfers of all ages and gender came to play and in record numbers. The surge of golfers to Northcote hasn’t stopped. These people deserve an even better golf course. A course master plan is in development.
The quality of the golf course is fundamental to the enjoyment of players.
Create Native Vegetation & Animal Habitat
The land controlled by the Darebin City Council covers 24 ha, the golf course uses a bit more than half the total space, this leaves a great opportunity to create native vegetation and animal habitat.
Trial planting area (approx. 300 sqm) to assess how different species thrive
Nesting Boxes for possums and gliders on the Merri Creek meadow
Community Garden for locals to grow food and plants, learn new skills and meet people
Nature Reserve habitat for native species, ‘out of bounds to golfers’
Bullen’s Wetland would filter out pollutants and provide a habitat for water birds
Upgraded litter trap to Bullen’s drain to filter rubbish from the stormwater
Build a Community Pavilion
Northcote is seriously interesting!
Working-class roots, diverse immigration, socially progressive and the second most songwriters (just pipped by Brunswick) all make Northcote a great place to be in the 21st century.
Darebin is an active municipality with many clubs including Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Gardening, Golf, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Photography, Rugby, Scrabble, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and Walking in operation and with gender diverse participants.
Many of Darebin’s clubs, but not all, have good facilities, rooms where they can change, meet for a drink, even hold a social or fundraising event.
Our aim is to create a golf, sporting and multi-purpose venue in Northcote where all are welcome!
Building a two-level community pavilion is core to delivering the HUB.
Level one will contain a well-stocked golf shop and change rooms, not only for golfers but all using the HUB.
Level two will offer catering and bar facilities with a view to the city. This large room will welcome all clubs, groups and individuals who want a place meet. The HUB intends to develop weekly events for the community, Trivia Nights, Dances, Weekend Jazz, to name a few.
Create Walking / Cycling Trail
Northcote Public Golf Course lives between Mayer Park and the newly constructed Merri Bridge.
Creating a trail between the park and the bridge opens up the golf course to the community. The route proposed meanders through trees whilst avoiding a sensitive nature reserve and golfers.
The trail will have a surface of crushed rock suitable for walking, jogging and cycling.
Petition
During the Covid 19 lockdown the Darebin City Council opened the Northcote Public Golf Course to local residents. This access was allowed on the basis that post lockdown the course would return to being a golf course.
Many people used the golf course for exercise and enjoyed the attraction of a different environment. So much so that a number are now campaigning to share or close the golf course and make it yet another Darebin Council park.
Public golf courses give golfers an opportunity to play a game they love at a reasonable price.
This petition provides golfers and their families with an opportunity to show the Darebin City Council and elected Councillors that we care about our golf course.
The Northcote Public Golf Course gives golfers a physical and social activity and as golfers know a mental challenge too, let’s keep it open to golfers!
If you haven’t yet signed the petition then please do and share with any friends and family.
Please DO NOT donate through the Change.Org petition. They pocket the cash, not us! We will let you know about any fundraising campaigns”.
The HUB is being developed by local residents to create an environment where golf, native vegetation and animals all thrive and local community groups can gather.