The development documents describe a staged approach to the expansion. Photo: Supplied.
A South Coast golf club is pushing ahead with an $11.5 million staged expansion.
Catalina Club, located in Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, recently lodged a development application (DA) with Eurobodalla Shire Council (ESC) for new infrastructure and a series of upgrades.
Club general manager Guy Chapman said work on the proposal started several years ago, and he welcomed the release of the proposal for public consultation.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished here at Catalina over the years and the clubhouse,” he told Region.
“Now, it’s [time] to get our teeth into the driving range, the golf wing and the golf course, to get all that up to a standard that we’re proud of, and make Batemans Bay and the Eurobodalla a destination for families.”
If given the green light, an enclosed driving range would be installed, along with a nearby hospitality area and seating.
It would also feature upgrades to the clubhouse, a new driveway and a precinct housing a new shop and a golfers’ lounge.
Mr Chapman said the club initially considered a mini golf facility before moving ahead with the proposed driving range.
“We went and had a bit of a look at quite a few other venues in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne as well. A lot of the driving ranges were getting a lot of traction.
“They seemed to be more popular than the mini golf, so we then pivoted … [It] really fits in with who we are as a club, as well with our golfing membership.”
According to the plans, it would have 20 hitting bays and Top Tracer technology.
The facility would be open from 7 am to 10 pm (Monday to Sunday), while the seating area would be closed after 10 pm.
He believes the addition will attract a different group of visitors and be a family-friendly attraction for the town.
“We’re looking at an outdoor food and beverage precinct with the driving range … All of the stats that were coming back from the US – and also in Australia – [showed] the number of people that are partaking in mini golf and driving ranges or off-course golf experiences was outnumbering traditional golf.
“That’s why we went down this path. It’ll be a great utilisation of the outdoor space there on the first tee.”
Some trees would need to be removed for the driving range, while a nearly 37 metre fence would be installed around the driving range.
The driving range would also connect to the new golfers lounge and shop area, which is included within the development’s second stage.
That area would connect directly to the new driving range, as well as the existing course.
“For golfers, they can sit and relax prior to a game of golf – or post a game of golf,” Mr Chapman said of the proposal.
“That’s for the traditional golfers, who are out on the golf course … We’re still going to be keeping the 27 holes there, but at a later date, we’re looking at maybe doing a full redesign of our golf course as well.
“This facilitates that by doing up our golfers’ lounge and the golf retail space [by] expanding that and making that flow much better.”
The development would also include improved facilities (such as locker rooms and accessible amenities), along with a series of upgrades to the clubhouse.
The latter would include the replacement of parts of the roof, the addition of new solar panels, landscaping and installation of a new lift.
Mr Chapman said a decision on the DA was expected by late 2026.
“We’ll be doing a fair bit of work between then and now, behind the scenes, to get detailed drawings and things done for the construction certificate … We’re still in the throes of interviewing potential construction companies and project managers in regards to this project, as well.”
He also said most Club Catalina members were supportive of the proposal.
“We’re pretty progressive here at Catalina. We’re looking to the future.
“We’ve invested heavily into the clubhouse, and now we want to invest into the golf course, the driving range and the golf wing.”
The DA, with the application ID of DA0290/26, is open for comment until 20 February.
