Background:

The Vines Resort is situated in the suburb of The Vines, Western Australia. It is a primary tourist attraction in the Swan Valley, a major leisure amenity used by WA residents, and forms a crucial ecosystem for wildlife, including vulnerable and critically endangered species.

The Vines Resort, including a large golf facility, is owned by The Vines (WA) Pty Ltd. The golf facility currently comprises two full-length 18-hole courses, a large grass driving range, plus pitching and putting practice areas. The golf facility is open to members, the public and resort guests. 

Petition Overview – Redevelopment of The Vines Golf Course:

The redevelopment plan for The Vines Golf Course, first publicised by The Vines (WA) Pty Ltd in June 2021, has multiple stages.

The overall plan includes a concrete two-storey driving range, high density over-55s housing, a short golf course, (commonly known as “pitch and putt” course), plus a large amount of additional housing. All of these are proposed to be built on land which is currently part of the golf course facility. The Development Application for the first stage – the concrete driving range - was rejected by the Joint Development Assessment Panel in April 2023, but this has not deterred them.

The green open space subject to this redevelopment plan contains important habitats supporting a fragile and complex ecosystem. This is the home for a huge range of wildlife, including Federally protected and critically endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoos, some 90 species of birds, Quendas (Southern Brown Bandicoots), possums, kangaroos and many other creatures. The lakes and waterways traversing The Vines Golf Course are critical to flora and fauna in both the suburb and the wider Swan Valley region.

There will be a significant impact on the local climate. Turf grass and vegetation produce oxygen and have the effect of reducing the heat island effects of an area, which is critical in urban environments.

Impacts on residents' quality of life will also be substantial.

The Vines is a bushfire prone area, with five bushfires breaking out within two kilometres of The Vines in the last ten years. The most recent, in February 2021, resulted in the suburb being placed in an evacuation situation for multiple days. Increased population adds risk to any bushfire situation. The redevelopment plan includes infill of lakes which are currently used by DFES (Dept of Fire & Emergency Services) fire-fighting helicopters. The loss of this accessible water source puts both The Vines and the wider Swan Valley area at increased risk.

This redevelopment will result in the loss of golf course amenity for this area of Perth. There will be complete loss of 9 full-length golf holes, and replacement of a further 9 full-length holes with a ‘short course’. Public access to the remaining full-length golf course will be reduced significantly as those holes will be set aside for members for five days of the week.

With the golf course having been integral to the suburb, and the Swan Valley, all community members have been under the belief that this amenity would be as it is forever – not converted for any use other than the traditional game of golf, which is the second most popular sport in Australia.

The owners of The Vines Golf Course and their chosen developers have to date consistently failed to meaningfully engage with any community members, nor given any valued consideration to the community’s expressed concerns, wishes or desires.

Applications to begin the process of redeveloping the golf course have started and, therefore, The Vines Residents & Ratepayers Association is earnestly seeking your help to stop this redevelopment and the associated loss of environment, amenity and unique character of the area.

This Petition highlights opposition to the redevelopment of The Vines Golf Course. 

For more information, and to watch videos on our opposition points, please visit The VRRA's website.