The plans would see the defunct club redeveloped into a 12-hole course and over-55s lifestyle resort with more than 300 manufactured homes, under a joint venture between the Stevens Group, the McCloy Group and Sue Mann Nursing and Community Care.

About 150 people attended Saturday's information session, and Principle Living development and strategy manager Murray Blackburn-Smith said it was a positive meeting.

"Most people who came through the door had good attitudes, and were interested in what is going on," he said.

"The purpose of the day was to show the technical information on our draft plan, and for people to help us fill in the gaps - and there were some good suggestions."

Mr Blackburn-Smith said the main concerns relayed on Saturday were flooding, vehicular access and the location of the proposed houses.

The course layout was another talking point, with the former 18-hole course to be reduced to a 12-hole format.

Former club captain Peter Conroy said he was pleased to see the course would be up and running again.

"It's really good to see that golf will once again be alive on what has been such a good-quality course," he said.

"It will present some new and interesting challenges, and people will once again be able to enjoy the amenities."

Mr Blackburn-Smith said the company has employed greenkeepers to maintain the course, but could not provide any more resources until it is certain that the development will go ahead.

He said the development application should be lodged in about three months' time.

The company's aim is to have the course operational by 2021, pending council and other approvals.

Cessnock Golf Club closed in April 2019, after a year under voluntary administration.

Stevens Group - which also developed The Vintage golf resort at Rothbury - is also behind the Hunter Business Park at Black Hill, and recently teamed up with the McCloy Group to redevelop the former Hydro aluminium smelter site at Kurri Kurri.