Wingecarribee Shire general manager Mike Hyde said the Local Government Act required Councils to prepare Plans of Management for all public open space classified as community land.

“The main purpose of the plan is to provide the community users and the council with a clear statement on the future use and management of community land,” Mr Hyde said.

Mr Hyde said the efficient and appropriate management of the land was essential if its value to the community was to be maintained and enhanced.

A number of workshops were held with key stakeholders and a community workshop with over 200 participants was conducted on the October 2, 2007. Additionally, 1200 questionnaires were distributed with 180 being returned.

“The overwhelming response from the consultative process supports the site’s primary use as a golf course and secondary use as an area for open passive recreational use,” he said.

Mr Hyde said community consultation was a vital component in the development of the Draft Plan of Management.

The consultation process identifies the values attached to the land and provides a forum in which Council can collect and understand related community issues, he said.