The development of a golf course resort town north-west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is attracting investors and providing a boost for longer-term tourism plans for the region.
The development of a golf course resort town north-west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is attracting investors and providing a boost for longer-term tourism plans for the region.
Construction has started on a $20 million, Graham Marsh-designed 18-hole golf course, together with a five-star spa resort and tennis complex, to be completed by late 2007.
Not missing an opportunity, the state government has just released 28 single residential lots in stage one of its Karlkurla Rise estate, located close to the resort, which will be sold by ballot on July 27.
The elevated lots range in size from 617 square metres to 1,256sq m, and will be priced between $95,000 and $188,000.
John Mathew and Sons is one of two real estate agencies registering expressions of interest. Principal Alan Pendle said the subdivision had drawn considerable interest from mainly owner occupier-type investors.
“There has not been a lot of land released in the last five to six years in the town and so these land releases must be carefully managed to make the opportunity fair for all,” he said.
Development of a further 36 lots at Karlkurla Rise and civil works for the first stage of the Goldfields Golf Course Estate are also under way and will eventually add a further 1,500 homes to the region.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce chief executive Hugh Gallagher said that, despite overheated property prices in some sectors, he was hesitant to describe the town as undergoing a boom.
Instead, he claimed, the town was entering a new cycle after emerging from a serious downturn in early 2000, with levels of investment now strong.
“The amount of commercial development in the town is unprecedented and it’s changing the retail dynamics of the city,” Mr Gallagher told WA Business News.
He said consumers now had a terrific choice of stores in bulk retail precincts, and major department store Target had just set up shop.
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder chief executive Don Burnett said the town was enjoying a very vibrant period and Kalgoorlie had everything to offer.
“The golf course resort project is very exciting and will put the city on the map as a major tourist destination,” he said.
Surprisingly, the council wants to draw more visitors by hosting surfing competitions at its new indoor artificial wave park, which will form part of a $1.8 million upgrade to the leisure centre.
It has also set aside a $1 million fund over two years to attract a third air carrier to the region, with an aim to establishing direct flights between Kalgoorlie and the east coast.
Mr Burnett said the city had initiated discussions with Virgin Blue and was certain that demand would ensure the carrier was successful.
“We lost out when Ansett collapsed, but we’re now keen to negotiate another arrangement with a new carrier, and this fund is an incentive to make it a commercial reality,” he said.
In the meantime, Kalgoorlie-Boulder is awaiting the federal government’s decision on whether to award it Solar City status, and a share in a $75 million grant to install solar power generators.
The aim of the program is to embed sustainability within communities and reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Ten cities nationwide are aiming to be among just four that will share the grant.
