Meadowbrook Golf Club is calling on the community to support calls for “a fair go” in a decade-long dispute with Logan City Council.
In 2011, council built a sewer line through the course, saving the city a believed $89 million on an initially-suggested route through Shailer Park.
But current leaseholders believe council’s negligence sent previous owners bankrupt, and caused one to lose his home.
Council owns the land and leases management of the club to a third party.
Gold course operator Tom Linskey says it would be fair for council to re-visit mediation claims, and instead of taking the matter to court, should invest up to $20 million to ensure Meadowbrook is of world-class standard.
The club has posted a “fair go” campaign to its website, publishing a 118-point timeline of events which previously led to financial ruin.
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.
The current lessees have invested millions of dollars into the club, making it one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the region, inclusive of an elite training program which is fostering one of the largest junior programs in Australia.
Mr Linskey said there were now plans to build a new clubhouse.
However, the move is dependent on a poker machine license, which requires an assessment of checks and balances from council. It would also require development application approval.
“How is it that a development application, inclusive of poker machine license, from an incorporated body of members (Meadowbrook Country Golf Club Inc)Â can be assessed by the same lawyers who have been appointed to manage the litigation claim?” Mr Linskey said.
“How is it impartial and due process that the same people can determine the fate of our club? Surely, there’s a conflict of interest.”
Mr Linskey said he has invited councillors and the mayor to discuss the claim. Neither local councillor Tony Hall or the mayor have accepted the invitation.
“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.”
Mr Linskey said if a new clubhouse went ahead as planned, it would create 100 jobs, 18 of them full time.
And money spent on a modern irrigation system would ensure the course was world standard, he said.
He also said council investment in the club made economic sense for ratepayers. The club’s lease is based on a percentage of turnover, which meant the current success of the club was “infinitely more than the rent that council would have received since 2017 had (the club) not been recapitalised.”
Council said it was unable to comment because matters were before the court.
