New Byron Bay Golf Club (BBGC) board members Fiona Grigg and Ralf Pelz have said that transparency and planning for the future of the BBGC is how they want to move forward.
Along with BBGC manager Shaun Breheny they told The Echo that while there had been a number of issues over the last 18 months they are clear that there are no plans to sell the BBGC land for housing. This is an issue that has continued to raise its head following the proposal to include the golf club land in the Byron Shire Council’s Residential Strategy 2041 last year.
‘It is a beautiful club, a special piece of land and everybody loves it,’ said Fiona. ‘Since Ralf and I have become board members we have been working towards open and transparent relationships with all club members.’
‘We have done a lot of engagement,’ said Ralf. ‘We have an open line with the members and transparency is very important to us. We’ve done a lot to engage with members and give them an opportunity to air their concerns.’
Planning for the future
Ralf and Fiona emphasised the importance of planning for the future of the club and highlighted the fact that the club has to be run as a business and meet a range of legislative requirements as well as maintain the golf course and buildings.
As part of their new transparency initiatives the board are looking to do a member survey and will be holding a ‘meet the board nominees’ session on Thursday, November 14, from 5–6pm at the golf club prior to the annual general meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 19 November.
‘This is a new opportunity for members to meet board nominees,’ said Ralf.
‘Board members are also available at any time before that,’ explained Fiona. ‘We have put out email and phone contact details into the Club Updates that regularly go out so any club members can contact us with concerns.
‘We are also going to hold information evenings on benchmarking so members can have a view on where our holes are and what our services are. Many of our members have a lot to contribute to the future direction and actions of the club. We want to involve the members and get their feedback.’
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