The federal government is looking to sell Fairbairn Golf Course as part of a massive defence property sell-off. Photo: Fairbairn Golf Course Facebook.
Stakeholders of the Fairbairn Golf Course are calling on members and casual players to stand against the Federal Government’s plan to sell the 65-hectare course.
The Federal Government announced in February that the course, along with 67 other Defence properties across the country, would go under the hammer as part of a multi-billion-dollar sell-off.
While the fate of the 2025 Golf NSW Country Golf Club of the Year is still up in the air, with Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher set to make a decision later this year, members of the club have launched a petition to ensure the club, even if sold, still operates.
“The Fairbairn Golf Club is up for divestment by the government. The club has been around since 1953, providing sporting facilities in Canberra initially for the benefit of Defence personnel and since the late 1990s to the public,” the petition reads.
“There is no cost to Defence of running this facility, and the community health and social benefits are important. There are currently insufficient golf courses in the ACT to meet demand, and closing the Fairbairn golf course will significantly impact community access to golf courses. The course is an important part of the ACT’s sporting, social and recreational infrastructure.”
Since the petition was launched on 10 May, it has attracted over 1600 signatures, with many, including the club’s president Brian Depree, highlighting the community benefits of the course.
“Last year, we had 40,000 rounds of golf played here,” Mr Depree said.
“There’s nowhere for those people to go if the course closes, and it’s not just about the members, because half the games played out here are just social players that come out looking for a game, so we see it as a community thing.
“The goal [of the petition] is not to set a target; the goal is to get as many signatures as we can to show Ms Gallagher that it is within the community’s interest to keep the course operational.”
Mr Depree highlighted the PFAS contamination of the course and the difficulties potential buyers would face if they wished to change the course’s function.
“We’re still learning about the contamination, but if it were to change hands and be used for something else, it would be very difficult for approvals to be handed out because of the contamination,” he said.
“The club has also been particularly active in developing the site and has spent some $1.6 million over the last five years.
“The loss of this site would further reduce access to golf courses in the ACT and environs, where waiting lists are common.
“The regional population has grown significantly and is outstripping the supply of recreational sporting facilities like golf courses. The region needs to retain Fairbairn to help meet the demand for this recreational activity.”