Golf course sale potentially pivotal for tourism
Selling agents have confirmed the course was under offer to a developer but declined to provide more detail.
The sale of a popular Illawarra golf course could result in a new tourist mecca for the region.
Picturesque Calderwood Golf Course, nestled under the escarpment, is a par-70, 18-hole course which in the past has been at the centre of debate over its future tourism potential.
The course, which opened in 1995, was designed by Ken Mackay, and last sold in 2012 to an Australian-Chinese consortium which hoped to unlock the tourism potential of the site.
The total site is 51 hectares, most of which (17 of the 18 holes) is in Shellharbour LGA. The remainder is in Wollongong LGA.
In 2013, after the site was rezoned to allow for tourism development, Shellharbour Council approved a 24-cabin rural tourist facility, including a golf clubhouse with bar and restaurant/function centre and associated golf course infrastructure. That proposal was never developed.
In a report to Shellharbour Council at the time, the proposal to rezone the land from RU1 Primary Production to RE2 Private Recreation would clear the way for additional tourism investment, including hotel or motel accommodation, backpackers’ accommodation, camping ground, function centres, restaurants and cafes.
The report to Shellharbour Council at the time said “it is considered that these uses may be suitable on this site … the current buildings and structures associated with the existing golf course are quite basic.”
Community's concerns raised
Not everyone was happy with what was proposed as the Calderwood area was rapidly being developed for new housing estates under the big Stockland brand.
At the time, more than 1000 people signed a petition objecting to the proposed development of the site.
The petitioners said they weren’t opposed to some development.
“It is the amount of development that is of concern and the proposal to reduce the golf course from 18 holes to 9 holes. We also fear that the reduction of the course to 9 holes may well be just the start and eventual reduction to zero holes and a further residential/caravan park development," they said.
“It would be a tragedy if the council approves this development and fails to preserve the current 18 holes of golf for use of future generations.”
The larger tourism plans didn’t proceed but it’s understood they remain on the table for future development.
Fastest growing
NSW government data reveals just why Calderwood is now one of the fastest growing residential areas in the state.
In 2026, the population is 4525, but that is predicted to grow to 7309 by 2031 and more than double to 10,215 in 2036.
In earlier objections to “overdevelopment” of the golf course site, petitioners said: “as the population grows and pressure on recreational areas increases in future it will be important that the Council … preserve the site for recreational use and the benefits it will have in the future community’s physical and mental health cannot be understated.”
The Sydney-based selling agents confirmed the golf course was under offer to a developer but declined to provide more detail.
