An aerial view of the Thredbo Golf Course, which would be the site of new self-contained accommodation under the proposal. Photo: Kosciuszko Thredbo.
Plans to subdivide a Snowy Mountains golf course for a major accommodation boost have been given a second wind.
The golf course, located within Thredbo Alpine Resort in Kosciuszko National Park, is the site listed in a development application (DA) for a subdivision and associated infrastructure.
Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Ltd (KT), owned by Event Hospitality and Entertainment (EVT), first lodged plans with the NSW Government in 2023.
In a statement to Region, KT said the proposed changes would retain the nine-hole layout of the golf course and focus further development on areas that had been modified previously.
“This development represents a significant investment in Thredbo, creating jobs during construction and ongoing employment opportunities once complete, while increasing accommodation capacity to support tourism, local businesses and the broader Snowy Mountains region.”
A fresh round of consultation is underway for the project.
According to planning documents, the development would expand self-contained accommodation options within the region (and sit alongside traditional hotel rooms at Thredbo Resort).
“Accommodation styles and preference have changed dramatically since the 1960s with a shift from shared accommodation to fully serviced or self-contained accommodation (70 per cent of the Thredbo market) with only ski clubs and the backpacker market remaining as shared style accommodation (24 per cent of the Thredbo market),” a revised environmental report prepared in November 2025 states.
Under the proposal, the golf course would be subdivided into 18 lots (adding 187 accommodation beds), mostly spanning its first, third and fourth fairways.
It would have a combined footprint of about 14,400 sqm.
The documents also state that following the previous round of exhibition in 2023, a carpark has been moved outside of the Thredbo River riparian corridor.
Instead, it would be located near a community centre, while accessible carparks for individual lots would fall under future DAs.
In their response to the 23 public submissions, released as part of the new consultation, KT states that no road infrastructure will be located within the vegetated riparian zone of the Thredbo River.
Safety concerns around pedestrian access from Crackenback Drive also saw the access road moved uphill, while a dedicated pedestrian pathway will connect to the public carpark and down Crackenback Drive.
The 2023 feedback also triggered changes to the access road and carpark near the Riverside Cabins, to reduce the new development’s visual impact.
“The redesign is also considered positive in terms of addressing concerns over the infrastructure being located too close to Thredbo River thus potentially impacting upon the amenity, recreational (e.g. walking, fishing, swimming and golfing) and environmental values associated with Thredbo River at this location,” the revised environmental report states.
“The visual impacts to Riverside Cabin occupiers are considered minor to moderate and capable of being further ameliorated through planting requirements.”
In the response to submissions, KT also said the move would help to reduce noise and lighting impacts on the cabins.
If approved, the DA would transform part of the golf course into accommodation. Image: Kosciuszko Thredbo.
As with the 2023 version of the DA, the current proposal calls for the golf course along the Thredbo River to be redesigned and shortened.
In the environmental statement, the course is described as being “by and large … an “extra activity” for visitors to Thredbo, rather than “an attraction in its own right”.
“The golf course redesign may have some perceived negative impacts by users as it will result in all par 3s except one short but challenging par 4, and no par 5; loss of 4 shots; and -657 m (reduction in course rating perception).
“Contrary to the above, the design has positive impacts as it allows for a reasonably good spread of short, medium and long par 3s and spread of six (6) slightly uphill holes and the two (2) existing steeply downhill 8th and 9th holes to close.”
If given the green light, the development would also include municipal infrastructure to service the new accommodation beds (such as stormwater drainage, gas, electricity and water).
Planning documents state that approval is expected to be given by mid-2026. Site preparation works would start later this year.
The subdivision project would then be finished by either June 2027 or 2028, depending on what are described as “final contract arrangements”.
The DA, which has the portal reference number PAN-366203, is on exhibition until 4 February. People can make a submission through the NSW Planning Portal website.
