THINGS have turned out well for people near Hurstville Golf Course who were about to have their lives changed by wayward golf balls.
Hurstville Council has backed away from its proposal to install two huge safety screens on the western side of Ballantyne Road, to the relief of residents who said the screens were unnecessary, a waste of money and would lower house values.
The decision is also a relief to the people who use the walking trail that runs along the golf course to Oatley Heights as a shortcut to the nearby shops.
A few weeks ago because of the golf ball danger emanating from the 14th tee — and in anticipation of the construction of the safety screens — the council had blocked the Balmoral Road and Roberts Avenue access, forcing people to hike up a hill.
Now the gates are open again and everyone is happy.
The council had wanted to install the screens in response to complaints about golf balls hitting some properties — and after a trajectory study it had commissioned confirmed the balls were a safety concern.
Meantime, aspects of the problematic 14th tee were altered, solving the wayward ball problem. And the residents along Ballantyne Road put up a good argument against he screens.
At its meeting on August 20, the council refused its own application on the grounds that it did not comply with its local environmental plan's requirements for the foreshore scenic protection area, was not not in keeping with the streetscape and not in the best interests of the amenity of the residents.
The council will review the 14th tee again and probably plant a few more trees for added safety as suggested by residents.
Are you pleased with the outcome?
