Councillors voted at last week’s special council meeting to proceed with a restructured golf course developer.

Mr Yuryevich said this was the right decision for the region’s golf enthusiasts.

“Council considers this is the best outcome for the ratepayers and residents of the City,” he said.

“I fully understand the levels of frustration in the golfing fraternity and the community in general, however, the council is determined that the golf course and resort will be completed under the original model, which would see developers undertaking the work and raising the finance to do this.”

Delays on the golf course began when Austzone Pty Ltd won the right to construct the 18-hole course but failed to complete the project within the contract period.

The special council meeting endorsed the change in equity of Austzone to approve a 50 per cent holding by Premier Residences Pty Ltd, a Queensland-based company.

Premier Residences is part of the OzzyConnect group, which has extensive experience in hotel, resort and land development.

Mr Yuryevich assured critics the new development structure would see the golf course and resort constructed together.

“It is anticipated that work on the golf course will restart in the coming weeks when the contractors, McMahons, return to site,” he said.

“This stage of the project should take approximately 12 months to complete. Council acknowledges that it is very important that grass is planted as soon as possible to get the most out of the coming growing season.”

Work on the resort is expected to start before the end of the year.