A former pick-your-own strawberry farm that closed to visitors three years ago could be turned into a new golf driving range.
A development application has been submitted to Sunshine Coast Council to establish a driving range on about 5.9 hectares of the total 19.7-hectare site at Laxton Road, Palmview.
The farm, known as Strawberry Fields, was sold in 2021 by its owners Maurie and Von Carmichael, who ran it for about 40 years. Property records show it sold for $3.75 million.
Now All Things Golf Pty Ltd has submitted a proposal to develop part of the land into a driving range, along with a practice putting green and short-game area.
The range would include a total of 33 driving bays, with 28 of them undercover, and measure up to 230m long and 145m wide.
A town planning report submitted on April 19 by Innovative Planning Solutions on behalf of All Things Golf Pty Ltd states the existing buildings at the site will be repurposed.
“The driving range development proposes to utilise existing on-site buildings adjacent to the site’s southern boundary to Laxton Road,” it states.
“New built form required as part of the driving range proposal relates to a structure providing cover to 28 of the total 33 driving range bays and the proximate ball store and maintenance storage shed only.
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“The existing caretaker’s residence building is proposed to remain unchanged and re-utilised as part of this proposal.
“The two-storey building accommodating the existing onsite previous strawberry farm food and drink operations is proposed be maintained and co-utilised with the golf pro shop and amenities.”
The proposal includes provision for 40 car parking spaces, including one for people with a disability.
The planning report states the proposed development is a suitable outcome on the site, which is zoned as rural.
“The development has been designed to integrate with the character of the surrounding rural area of Palmview by providing a development outcome that sensitively responds to the site and adjoining development,” it states.
The application for Material Change of Use of Premise (Outdoor Sport and Recreation – Driving Range) triggers an impact assessment.
Sunshine Coast News contacted a representative for All Things Golf Pty Ltd, who politely declined to comment at this stage.
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