Golf club set to win land dispute

The Waikouaiti Golf Club seems set to win a long-running dispute over recreation land in the township.

A Dunedin City Council staff report has endorsed the golf club's proposal for its course extension as a better use of the 18ha Waikouaiti Recreation Reserve block than an equestrian course.

For nearly two years, the golf club has been in a stand-off with Dunedin's Highcliff Trust, which wanted to develop an equestrian eventing course on land the golf club leases for grazing.

The golf club plans to use the land to extend its course from nine holes to 18.

In a report to this week's Waikouaiti Coast Community Board, reserves planning and policy officer Paula Gunn said, in an independent assessment, the golf club's proposal out-scored the horse trust's.

"The Waikouaiti Golf Club also came out ahead in all three individual assessments, so the outcome was clear and unanimous."

Subject to approval by the community development committee next month, and a public consultation process, the council would revoke the grazing agreement, and draw up a new lease based on the extension proposal.

Highcliff Trust president Gary Cole told the Otago Daily Times Dunedin had lost an opportunity to gain a top-class equestrian course, a facility the city lacked.

He hoped the council would override the staff recommendation.

However, the trust was negotiating for land outside the Dunedin area.

"The trust [was] prepared to fund and build the facility and offer the facility to host major equestrian events at Waikouaiti.

"Our proposal would have attracted many staying visitors, including top New Zealand and international instructors, into Dunedin and Waikouaiti."

Waikouaiti Golf Club president Richard Russell said he was pleased with the recommendation, but would take nothing for granted until it was approved.

The club was excited about the extension, which would be an asset for the community, he said.