A heated debate has emerged in Sydney over the future of the popular Moore Park Golf Course, following the announcement of plans to provide more additional green spaces for Redfern, Waterloo, Green Square, and Zetland.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore proposed to halve the size of the Moore Park Golf Course, transforming it into more parkland for inner-city residents. However, the plan has divided the community and government officials.
“The Government has accepted our proposal to convert the course from 18 holes to 9, retaining the larger area of land for golf, the clubhouse, depots, parking and popular driving range, and returning up to 20 hectares of land to Moore Park for public recreation,” she revealed.
“The Government will soon commence public consultation with the local community and stakeholders on how best to revitalise the parkland.
“It has been the policy of successive State Governments to increase housing in the Green Square urban renewal area and by 2040, up to 80,000 more people will be living in the Green Square and Waterloo area within two kilometres of Moore Park.
“The City is creating 40 parks and playgrounds as part of the Green Square urban renewal, but small parks don’t provide the same opportunity as large green spaces to stride out, relax and recharge, play sport and connect with nature.”
Photo Credit: NSWGovernment/Artist Impression
Government and Community Response
NSW Premier Chris Minns has shown support for the conversion, citing the pressing need for more parkland due to the increased housing density around the Moore Park Precinct.
“As the New South Wales government issues more density, more apartment living, more units, we need to balance that with more open space,” Mr Minns stated.
However, his decision has not been without its critics. The NSW Department of Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes initially backed the retention of the 18-hole course, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
Financial Impacts and Urban Development
The Moore Park Golf Course, contributing over $4 million annually to the Centennial and Moore Park Trust, is a significant financial asset. Club president John Janik has raised concerns that a nine-hole course may not be viable, affecting the broader community. Other club members have reportedly written councillors to express their opposition for the plans to covert the gold course.
“This course was built for the working class,” Mr Janik said, pointing out the affordability of the club compared to others in the area.
The debate also extends to the broader theme of land use in urban development, with Ms Moore emphasising the changing needs of the public in densely populated areas.
The Future of Moore Park
The government plans to release a discussion paper next year for public consultation on the design of the new park area. This move indicates a commitment to involving the City of Sydney, the local community, and stakeholders in the decision-making process.
Despite the division, the case of Moore Park Golf Course underscores a broader conversation about balancing urban development with the need for accessible public spaces in Sydney’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Published 26-Nov-2023