A new future for the Rossdale Golf Course site at Aspendale
The current Rossdale Golf Course is located in Aspendale within the City of Kingston, 25 kilometres south-east from the Melbourne CBD.
Since 1949, the Rossdale Golf Club has owned approximately 43.5 hectares (0.435 square kilometres) of privately held land along Sixth Avenue, Aspendale.
The Club has commenced planning for a new future of the current golf course site whilst exploring options of relocating the club.
Technical investigations into the site’s values, opportunities and constraints have been undertaken. These, along with community feedback from Phase 1 of consultation on the future of the Rossdale golf course, have been incorporated into an Ideas Plan which is now subject to further community feedback.
The Club wants the future of the site to be something that the whole community can benefit from and leaves a positive legacy for Aspendale.
We understand many community members have a personal attachment to the site. We acknowledge there will be significant change which may be of concern to local residents and community members.
Read our supporting factsheet: Overview and Planning Process
Introducing the Ideas Plan
Our preliminary Ideas Plan has been developed as a tool to help explore opportunities for how the eight Key Principles outlined below could be embedded into Your Future Rossdale. The Key Principles directly reflect eight themes we heard from Phase 1 of consultation.
The Ideas Plan is for illustrative and discussion purposes only and subject to change and refinement in response to feedback and further work by the project team.
Read our supporting fact sheet: Project overview.
Principle 1: Provide more housing choice for Aspendale
Your Future Rossdale will provide for a mix of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, duplexes, and low-scale apartments. Buildings will be thoughtfully designed to blend with the natural surroundings, utilising sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies. Townhouses and low scale apartment buildings will be focused along open space corridors and pocket parks. This approach will enable more people to live close to areas of high amenity and increase surveillance of these important public spaces.
Read our supporting fact sheet on housing choice.
Principle 2: Build a more sustainable community
Integrating energy principles into the development process is crucial for creating an environmentally sustainable and resilient community. Our project team has highlighted the importance of reducing energy consumption, promoting renewable energy sources, and enhancing energy efficiency. By embracing innovative technologies and sustainable practices, the project aims to minimise environmental impact, mitigate climate change, and ensure long-term energy security for residents.
Read our supporting fact sheet on building a sustainable community
Principle 3: Protect valuable vegetation on site
The existing trees throughout the Rossdale golf course are a significant feature and offer an opportunity to integrate mature trees into future development, enhancing the landscape character. The community has emphasised the importance of retaining and increasing tree cover, particularly mature trees and significant vegetation, and protecting natural habitats and biodiversity.
Read our supporting fact sheet on site vegetation.
Principle 4: Provide real public open space
Creating accessible and meaningful open space is a key part of the Ideas Plan. The new neighbourhood aims to preserve its landscape character by prioritising the preservation of existing high- value native trees and the planting of new native species to enhance biodiversity and enrich the site's natural qualities. Approximately 30% of the site is designated as public open space in the Ideas Plan.
Read our supporting fact sheet on open space.
Principle 5: Create new wetlands and habitat
The Ideas Plan envisions over 1.1 Hectares of permanent wetlands, providing for water treatment, storage of floodwaters, and biodiversity and community connection with nature. Extensive areas of publicly accessible reserve will be planted to restore depleted and endangered plant and wildlife communities. This will create new ecological linkages to the adjacent Edithvale-Seaford wetlands and strengthen this important biodiversity corridor.
Read our supporting fact sheet on on wetlands and habitat.
Principle 6: Design to respect culture and heritage
The site has a rich history spanning decades as a golf club and millennia as part of Bunurong Indigenous lands. Development of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan will occur in collaboration with the Bunurong Land Council to identify appropriate measures for responding to any Aboriginal Cultural Heritage on the site. Opportunities to integrate cultural values into the concept and detailed designs can also be explored.
Read our supporting fact sheet on culture and heritage.
Principle 7: Integrate and link to existing neighbourhoods
The new neighbourhood will bridge missing links between Aspendale, Edithvale, Aspendale Gardens, enhancing the overall open space network within these neighbourhoods. It is strategically positioned to connect seamlessly with public transport, activity centres, education facilities, recreational areas, wetlands, and cycling trails. A comprehensive network of walking and cycling trails will weave through the development, connecting homes to communal amenities, parks, and surrounding destinations.
Read our supporting fact sheet on linking neighbourhoods.
Principle 8: Respect our neighbours
The neighbourhood will foster community interactions and offer a variety of activities for residents. The extensive offering of parks will include playgrounds, BBQ shelters, and community gardens, creating spaces for people to connect. The strategically placed mixed-use hub will serve both new residents and the broader community, promoting a sense of unity and shared identity.
Read our supporting fact sheet on the Rossdale neighbourhood.
