The City of Stirling is taking decisive action to address a growing parking crisis at the wildly popular Hamersley Public Golf Course, with plans for a $350,000 temporary overflow car park set to go before councillors.
Post-Redevelopment Parking Shortfall
This urgent measure comes in response to overwhelming demand following the facility's $20 million redevelopment, which was completed in December 2024. While the upgrade, headlined by a new two-storey driving range, has been a major success, the 71 additional parking spaces added at the time have proven completely inadequate for the surge in visitors.
City officers reported that during peak periods, patrons are resorting to 'illegal and unsafe' parking along Marmion Avenue and College Court. An occupancy survey conducted earlier this year recorded a staggering 104 instances of illegal parking, with demand consistently outstripping supply.
A Pragmatic Solution on the Fairway
The proposed solution involves constructing approximately 50 new overflow parking bays on a section of the course's 10th fairway. This construction will necessitate some changes to the course layout to maintain its overall rating.
The 10th hole will be converted from a Par four into a Par three, with its tee relocated. To balance this change, the 18th hole will be extended from a Par four to a Par five. City officials describe this as a 'pragmatic, low-impact response' to an urgent operational problem.
Financial Success Drives Urgent Need
The redevelopment has transformed the golf course into a significant revenue generator for the city, with revenue this year expected to exceed $6 million. The funding for the new car park will be drawn from the Corporate Project Fund Reserve and repaid using operating surpluses from the highly profitable driving range.
If approved at the November 25 council meeting, the new overflow car park is expected to be operational by June 2026, providing much-needed relief during the busy spring and summer seasons.
