A shocking revelation has left the Fairbairn Golf Club community reeling, as their beloved course finds itself on the chopping block. This news comes as a complete surprise, especially considering the club's recent five-year lease agreement, signed just last July.
The 65-hectare golf course, nestled near Canberra Airport, has a rich history dating back to the 1960s when it was established on a former Royal Australian Air Force base. Its proximity to the airport has sparked speculation about potential buyers, with the airport itself being a likely contender.
Club president Brian Depree was on the course when he received the unexpected news via email from a Defence colleague. He expressed his shock, stating, "It came out of the blue." Depree is set to meet with a Defence official on Tuesday to gain more clarity on the situation and discuss the club's next steps.
One of the burning questions on Depree's mind is what prompted this sudden decision, especially considering the course's role as a green buffer between the live-fire range and residential areas. The news has put a hold on the club's investment plans, which were part of a 10-year development strategy for the course.
While the club had expressed interest in acquiring the golf course, they acknowledge that competing in the commercial market would be a daunting task. Depree admits to being in the dark about potential timelines, but the new lease agreement may not provide much comfort, given the presence of a clause for exceptional circumstances.
"Defence is notoriously slow, and I'm not convinced this land is particularly attractive compared to some of their other properties up for sale," Depree remarked. "Time will tell if there's any genuine interest."
Adding to the uncertainty is the unknown extent of contamination from PFAS in firefighting foam. Defence has been conducting tests on the course's edges near the old firefighting area, and low levels of PFAS have been detected in the soil.
Fairbairn Golf Club boasts 882 members from across Canberra, many of whom are ex-Defence personnel, but current Defence members are few. Depree has assured members that it's business as usual at the club, which he proudly describes as offering the cheapest game in Canberra.
Richard Snow, Group Head of Property at Canberra Airport, acknowledged the sale as an obvious opportunity to expand the airport's holdings by integrating the 65 hectares. However, he maintained a cautious tone, stating, "We need to understand how the golf course will be sold, the restrictions involved, and the overall implications."
The land's current status, unsuitable for housing, has led Ashlee Berry, Executive Director of the Property Council ACT & Capital Region, to believe that its best use would be to increase the supply of industrial and commercial land in the ACT. She emphasized, "We have other sites better suited for housing, while this area is known for warehousing and logistics operations."
As the situation unfolds, the future of the Fairbairn Golf Club remains uncertain, leaving the community with more questions than answers. What do you think should be the fate of this historic golf course? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
