Keeping the Fairway Fair

Questions Emerge Over Wisdom and Viability of Proposed Golf Course at Mount Batur, Bali

(10/14/2012)

A plan put forward by Indonesia’s Minister of Natural Resource and Energy, Jero Wacik, to build a championship golf course on the foothills of Mount Batur on the western escarpment of the volcano, is getting a lukewarm response from many parties in Kintamani.

The proposal to build a golf course at Kintamani has been made several times in the past, failing on each occasion to garner popular support.

Those who question Wacik’s proposal insist a well-developed study that examines the economic and environmental implications of the proposed golf course is needed.

A member of the Bali provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) from Batur, Drs. I Wayan Gunawan, told Bali Post on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, the proposal to build a golf course in his home district is nothing new. He said it remains to be seen whether or not there is an investor prepared to invest the substantial amount required to develop a golf course. He also said that any plans for a golf course automatically entails the need for supporting services and infrastructure.

Gunawan also questions the economic benefit of the proposed golf course to the people of the region, saying the amount of jobs created by a golf course is fairly limited.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com