Hamersley Golf Course’s layout could be about to change as the City of Stirling bids to ease parking congestion at the public facility.
Following a $20m redevelopment of the course facilities and driving range, which opened in December 2024, public demand has exceeded expectations.
While 71 additional car parking spaces were created during the redevelopment process, these have proved to be inadequate for the increased visitor numbers, leading to incidences of illegal and unsafe along Marmion Avenue and College Court in peak periods.
As a result, the City of Stirling is proposing to construct an overflow parking area with 50 additional bays on land that is currently part of the golf course’s 10th hole.
The project – which could cost up to $350,000 – would see the 10th fairway reduced in size by nearly half and the tees moving forward, with the par of the hole changing from 4 to 3.
The 18th hole, meanwhile, would change from a par 4 to a par 5 to ensure the course rating remains unchanged.
Concept artwork of the proposed overflow car park on part of Hamersley’s existing 10th fairway
The rationale behind the proposal
A report released by the City of Stirling states: “The Hamersley Public Golf Course redevelopment has delivered exceptional community and financial outcomes for the city.
“However, the sustained parking shortfall presents a clear and immediate risk to accessibility, safety, and utilisation.
“Despite several mitigation measures, including signage, shifting peak event periods, and off-site parking agreements, the issue persists and is expected to worsen over the spring and summer periods when demand is at a peak.
“It is considered that the creation of approximately 50 bays, in conjunction with other mitigation measures already put in place, will address the current overflow parking issue and maximise site capacity without impacting course functionality,” the report added.
“The proposed parking solution is a pragmatic, low-impact response that addresses urgent operational pressures while allowing time for a permanent solution to be developed through future budget processes.”
The redevelopment of Hamersley Public Golf Course has been an unprecedented success for the City of Stirling, with revenue expected to exceed $6m this year.
The city will draw the funds for the overflow car park project from its Corporate Project Fund Reserve, which will be repaid using operating surpluses from the driving range.
City councillors will vote on the proposal in late November. If approved, the overflow parking solution is expected to be in place by June 2026.
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