An artist’s impression of the proposed Federal Golf Club retirement village. Image: GDH.
Federal Golf Club has been accused of trying to silence members who may have misgivings about or be opposed to its retirement village plans that were recently frustrated by an ACAT decision to throw out a development application.
Recently, the board changed the club bylaws to inhibit members communicating with each other by email or acting against what it deems is the interests of the club, including any legal action.
A retired ANU economics professor and club member Ross McLeod had been posting articles on his website and emailing other members arguing against the proposed 125-dwelling development on a section of the Red Hill course.
He is also a member of Friends of Federal Fairways, which has led the charge against the retirement village. Developer Mbark intends to build and run the village in partnership with the club.
Dr McLeod recently served a six-week suspension for breaching clause 37 of the club constitution which refers to conduct prejudicial to the interests of the club.
According to the club, this included emailing members and speaking out against the development proposal in the media.
The club cited privacy concerns about Dr McLeod’s emailing list, and said members had complained and accused him of spreading misleading information.
It has now changed a number of bylaws to tighten rules about use of members’ personal information and unsolicited emails and to capture more actions that may not be in the interests of the club.
Dr Mcleod said the club was fed up with his criticism of the board and its justifications for the development.
“The various changes to the bylaws, they’re pretty obviously aimed at me and at Friends of Federal Fairways,” he said.
“They’re pulling out all their guns to try to silence opposition, especially within the club.”
With Mbark intending to appeal against the ACAT decision in the ACT Supreme Court, the new bylaw would mean any member involved could face disciplinary action.
Dr McLeod said the club bylaws were written to regulate member behaviour on the golf course or in the clubhouse, not to stop them criticising those running the club.
He said members’ human rights and rights in law were being trampled
“What they’ve done now actually impinges our rights as citizens,” he said. “We have a right to go to the courts to protect our interests. We have a right for me to speak to you.
“Theoretically in terms of the new bylaws, I’m not even allowed to be having this conversation unless I cleared it with them first.”
Dr McLeod said the board was weaponising the rules and regulations against people who might want to speak out with the best of intentions for the club’s future.
The board was now in an even stronger position to discipline the likes of him or even expel members, although he believes this would be vulnerable to a legal challenge.
When contacted by Region, Federal Golf Club general manager Lloyd Miller rejected Dr McLeod’s claims.
“Trying to connect changing our bylaws and the development is a stretch,” he said.
The club says that the retirement village is crucial to its survival but Dr McLeod has long argued that the club’s financial worries stem from its unprofitable hospitality business.
He also argues that the cost of water, which the club says is also a factor, is only three per cent of total costs over the long term.
Dr McLeod believed that the longer the development issue went on, the more questions would be asked about it and the impact on the course and environment.
Former club president David Bain-Smith quit last year over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with MBark.
Mr Bain-Smith told Region at the time that he did not support the direction the board was taking the club.
The board has previously rejected Mr Bain-Smith’s claims.
