City of Canning greenlights business case for it to take over running Whaleback Golf Course

The City of Canning has approved it taking on the management of a local golf course but not all councillors are convinced that benefits will be swung to ratepayers.

The Whaleback Golf Course in Parkwood will now operate under Canning management, with the takeover formalised on December 18 after a business case was approved at the council’s December 12 meeting.

The green — which is the only golf course in Canning — was previously operated under private management by Peter Hopkins for more than 40 years but his lease expired in December.

The city says it will be “business as usual” under the new management.

As part of its new management responsibilities, the city will oversee “all aspects of golf” at Whaleback, including rounds, driving range revenue, cart hire, cafe services and marketing.

Whaleback Scout Group representative Steven Smith last week asked the council if risk assessments had been completed to enable scout and guide groups to continue operating at the course.

Canning infrastructure and environment director Warren Bow said at the meeting the city was still investigating mitigation measures.

“The city will assume the liability for all risks associated with the operation of the Whaleback Golf Course and will continue to look at risk mitigation, including those that have been identified by our insurer,” he said.

The city plans to renew driving range ball equipment, upgrade safety netting, irrigation infrastructure, the alfresco area and entry link, all of which is likely to cost more than $5 million in any financial year, triggering the need for a business plan.

But Mason ward councillor Michelle Hurn was not convinced of the merits of the takeover, asking council staff if the business case was “transparent” in accordance with the Local Government Act.

She was worried ratepayers would be left to “carry the can” if operations fell over.

“Our requirement is to comply with the legislation; that’s what we’ve done in this instance,” Mr Bow said.

“There are lots of levers that will apply to the business as we proceed, all of which will be considered by council through an annual process as its budget setting.

“The community will have transparency about the success or otherwise of the business.”

But Cr Hurn remained unconvinced, asking staff to confirm the expected operating surplus was different to that supplied to council deliberations over the business plan earlier in the year.

“Would you agree that the referred to $426,000 per annum is a variation to the expected operating surplus in the business case approved by council earlier this year?” she asked.

Mr Bow said the business case accounted for a “range of options”.

“The city sought to articulate the base level of revenue that was expected to be generated,” he said.

“I think it adequately complies.”

Mayor Patrick Hall told Cr Hurn she had to submit any more questions over finances to the chief executive.

“I’m not going to allow it,” he said.

“We had an agenda briefing last week, the agenda briefing is the forum to be asking questions.

“Shaking your head and rolling your eyes is not going to help.”

Cr Hurn was the sole dissenting vote in the council’s approval of the business case.