A 10-year dispute has ended in a truce.
The bitter feud between the managers of Meadowbrook Golf Club and Logan City Council last week landed in the Supreme Court.
The Australian Golf Management Corporation (AGMC) wanted $24m in compensation for damages they say were caused by sewage works carried out by council between 2011 and 2016.
AGMC alleged this led to financial ruin for the former operators of the club.
Council defended the allegations.
This week, the two parties agreed to call it a day and came to a “mutually acceptable compromise”.
Neither AGMC nor council have admitted liability.
“The proceeding has been dismissed with no order as to costs,” the parties said in a joint statement.
“Pre-existing costs orders in favour of the Council have been satisfied.
“Neither party will make any other payment to the other.”
The trouble dates back to 2011, when council announced it was changing initial plans to build a sewage line through Shailer Park, and instead redirect it through the golf course.
Council claimed alterations to the route would save the city $89 million.
AGMC, which leases the land from council, claimed “membership numbers collapsed and revenue plummeted” following the announcement.
The club published a 118-point timeline of events on its website, which details why the project sent the previous course operators bankrupt, and caused one man to lose his home.
It speaks of delays to construction of a sewer pipe, alleged incompetence of bureaucrats, uncertainty from council, and a compensation process which did not cover the club’s losses.
Mayor Jon Raven questioned why the dispute ever began.
“Members of the club have said they think the whole thing was a waste of ratepayers’ funds and the club’s resources,” Cr Raven said.
“Now that the case has been dismissed and partial costs awarded to Council, I have to wonder why this whole thing started in the first place.”
AGMC director Tom Linskey said in the past that it would be fair for council to re-visit mediation claims.
He said instead of taking the matter to court, council should invest up to $20 million to ensure Meadowbrook is of world-class standard.
“We are not seeking money to line our own pockets,” Mr Linskey said.
“We are asking that council invest in its own facility.
“If the compensation we believe is owing to the club is spent on making this an even better place for the people of Logan, then that is a great outcome for everybody.”
Logan City Council refused to comment further.
Mr Linskey also refused to comment further following the case.
