Councillors considered a report which listed the way forward to bring the golf course out of the red via The Links Business Plan.

The plan includes a subdivision of part of the land, re-route of the golf course, refurbishing the hotel and introducing 10 poker machines and a retail liquor store.

The council had been looking at various options to fund the operation of business since it took over the golf course in 2008 and an attempt in 2010 to find a lessee was unsuccessful. 

A consensus existed among councillors Peter Moran, Kellie Marsh and Helen Stewart that introducing poker machines and a liquor store would increase problem gambling and alcoholism.

“With all the social costs that come with alcoholism and problem gambling, I find it quite offensive that a local government authority has to lower itself to relying on alcohol sales and gambling income to fund all or part of its operations,” Cr Moran said.

Cr David Boyle said the business plan should have been in place some time ago, as about 15 other establishments in the Shellharbour LGA already offered poker machines.

“It’s unfortunate there is problem gambling but I’m sure they will find one of these other 15 establishments to spend their money,” he said.

“We have to be sustainable and look at other ways of making money without taxing our residents and this is an opportunity to do that.” 

Cr John Murray said council had been continually criticised for running the course at a loss and the plan was an attempt to run it on a commercial footing, to a business model that was in line with its competitors.

Council will lend The Links $2.5million over the next two years under a bridging finance agreement – an internal loan which will be paid back with a recommended interest rate of six per cent.

Part of the business plan was to form a Project Control Group to oversee the operation and viability of the business.  Councillors nominated for the group were Cr’s Paul Rankin, Moran and Marsh.