General News
2 December, 2025
Mt Garnet faces golf club loss
MT GARNET community could lose another community asset following the failure of leasing renewal negotiations involving Mt Garnet Golf Club and the trustees of the L. D. Lucey Memorial Trust that controls the facility.
A club spokesperson said the club – which has been operating at the facility since 1968 – normally worked with the trustees via a renewable three-year leasing agreement.
However, the agreement had reached a stalemate, with no new lease offered, and the current lease expired (after 22 November).
“This has put our golf club’s future in immediate jeopardy and the future of the club in jeopardy,” the spokesperson said.
This latest threat on a social hub in Mt Garnet comes after the town recently had its beloved public swimming pool and facilities demolished by the Tablelands Regional Council.
The community was also in the sights of council’s now-abandoned plan to close the library.
“Like most clubs in rural areas, our facilities have existed for many years through the generous support of our membership and community volunteers who cater for townsfolk and people from surrounding properties who regularly support our social activities,” the spokesman said.
“Mt Garnet Golf Club and clubhouse has become the social hub of the district with golf scheduled every Wednesday afternoon and also on Saturday afternoon, usually with a following social at our community-built clubhouse.
“We had a recent attendance of 90 people at one of our Saturday night functions, so the otherwise regular renewal of our leasing agreement with the L. D. Lucey Memorial Trustees is critical to our continued operations.”
The venue was also used by Mt Garnet Rodeo Association and Mt Garnet Turf Club over three days each year for its annual races and rodeo. The golf club is the only regular user of the facilities throughout the year.
The spokesperson added that as the facility and the town lie within a semi-arid region, it was difficult to present a lush, green golf course all year round.
“This has been exacerbated by a lack of a regular water supply, despite many adjustments being made to the facility’s water supply.
“We have sought legal advice and approaches to the Department of Resources have not yet been responded to,” the spokesperson said.
“Neither has there been any formal Airing of Grievances under the Land Management Plan provisions.
“To make matters worse, most of the trustees do not live locally so it’s doubtful they have a full grasp of the wide-reaching impacts that result from Mt Garnet Golf Club not having a lease renewal,” the spokesperson added.
The L.D. Lucey Memorial Park trustees were contacted for comment but said the “escalating problem” was “in the hands of our solicitors” and they would not comment until they “got the go-ahead” from them.
