After almost a whole year of negotiations, Wollondilly Shire Council last night awarded Antill Park Country Golf Club a 30 year lease for the operation and management of the historic golf course.
Under the terms of the lease, the golf club and council have agreed on a significant capital investment program for the 90 acre site over the next five years.
This includes a new golf clubhouse building and 10 room motel accommodation, repurposing of the barn for food and hospitality uses, and renewal of the heritage listed Jarvisfield homestead for continued office use and a ground level meeting space.
Jarvisfield homestead is currently used as the club house for the golf club, with the barn providing the pro shop facilities.
Council has hailed the agreement as a “fantastic outcome for the Wollondilly community’’.
It says that the capital investment will enable the community to make the most of the facilities through an expanded and more diverse membership program, with a Kids Zone/junior golf, female golf market and a long-term plan to develop the course to Tier 2 standard.
“I’d like to congratulate the Antill Park Country Golf Club on being awarded the tender for the operation and management of this much-loved Picton facility,’’ Mayor Matt Gould said after council accepted the tender from the Antill Park Country Golf Club – the current operators of the facility.
“Council has always been committed to Antill Park Golf Course remaining an 18-hole public golf course, acknowledging its value to the town Picton and the whole Wollondilly Shire,’’ he said.
“This fantastic outcome is really positive news for our community, and I look forward to seeing the club grow and deliver these amazing improvements for everyone to enjoy.”
The Antill Park golf course tender process commenced in October 2022, with the previous lease ending in early 2023 and no further options for long term renewal.
Council sought submissions “with a compelling vision for the future use of the site and how the site could develop and operate and contribute to golfers and the Wollondilly community.”
Tendering Guidelines for NSW Local Government required council to publicly seek expressions of interest for the operation of the golf course, ensuring an open and transparent process.
Following the review of tenders, council resolved in February 2023 to negotiate with the Antill Park Country Golf Club as the preferred tenderer to seek to enter into a new long-term lease.
With the tender objectives fully met, the future of the Golf Course is assured, and this will help to ensure the heritage of the site is protected and valued.
Pictured above is Mayor Matt Gould with the president of the Antill Park Country Golf Club, Stuart Meredith.
