Strathallan Golf Club lifeline, $25 Million to prevent eviction.

By: Darius Oliver

According to Melbourne’s Preston Leader newspaper, the dispute over the sale of the Strathallan Golf Course site could be set to end – provided the Darebin Council pays La Trobe University’s asking price of $25 million. La Trobe apparently paid $580,000 for the 18Ha parcel of land back in 1996.

Low on detail, the article explains that council have been open to the idea of a purchase but presumably not at such an inflated price. The Bundoora site is currently green open space, and opponents of the University’s previous development plans have lobbied hard to prevent a residential subdivision and maintain the open nature of the site.

While council would be unlikely to pay anywhere near what La Trobe are apparently asking, at least discussions are underway and members of Strathallan can start to feel hopeful of a positive resolution.

From the Preston Leader:

IN WHAT could be the real estate flip of the century, La Trobe University is reportedly seeking $25 million for a golf course it bought for $580,000 in 1996.

The Leader understands the university wrote to Darebin Council this week offering to sell Strathallan Golf Course for a price more than $25 million.

The council has expressed interest in buying the 18ha Bundoora site to preserve it as open space.

La Trobe has planned to offload the course for several years, claiming it is not in the strategic interests of the university.

Strathallan Golf Club is fighting the plan, which would see its 300 members turfed from the course it has managed since 1957.

The campaign has drawn an array of supporters including Bundoora state Labor MP Colin Brooks and Darebin Council, all who want the land preserved as green open space.

There appeared to be a breakthrough in August with the university’s offer to sell the land to the council.

But this week’s letter puts the possibility of a sale in jeopardy, with the council unlikely to be able to meet the price.

Council spokesman Dave Bell confirmed the letter but said the university had requested the figure remain confidential.

La Trobe University spokesman Tim Mitchell confirmed the university had received valuations from the Auditor General for the land.

“We’re not prepared to talk about specific details as we are currently in discussions with senior Darebin Council officials,” he said.

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