Workers have begun cutting down trees at the North Adelaide Golf Course as part of a controversial redevelopment at the site.
Almost 600 trees are set to be removed from the area, north-west of the Adelaide CBD, for the golf course to host the LIV Golf and Australian Open tournaments.
Protesters filmed and held signs at the site as workers began felling the trees at Possum Park, along the River Torrens, late Monday morning.
Some attempted to stop vehicles from entering.
The South Australian government took control of the golf course from the Adelaide City Council two weeks ago, soon after speculation began about the future of LIV Golf.
The state government plans to spend $45 million to upgrade the golf course, which opened in 1905.
A protester holds a sign up as a contractor approaches the North Adelaide golf course. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
The Adelaide Park Lands Association organised a protest on Sunday that involved people tying yellow ribbons to some of the trees to be chopped down.
Association committee member Tim Jackson told 891 ABC Adelaide on Monday morning the protest could escalate.
“We certainly are considering more action and action of a different nature, but if we are to do that we want to make sure that our people are safe,” he said.
Asked if that possibly meant putting their bodies on the line, Mr Jackson said, “Yes, that’s possibly what might occur”.
Protesters gather on Sunday to tie ribbons to trees at the North Adelaide golf course to oppose trees being cut down. (ABC News)
Mr Malinauskas told a press conference on Monday morning that it was “perfectly reasonable” for people to protest the redevelopment but they needed to comply with the law.
“As long as they do that, there’s nothing to be concerned about,” he said.
He said Labor took the work at the golf course to the March state election.
“We’ve now got the responsibility of developing on that commitment, which is what we’re doing,” he said.
“The plans are now being executed.
“We are seeing the tree removal occur just as we committed would be the case and, of course, they’ll be replanted with at least three trees for every tree that gets removed.”
Concept designs for the redevelopment of the North Adelaide golf course showing its proximity to the CBD. (Supplied: SA government)
Trees are also set to be removed in the park lands for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Port Road and the MotoGP track to the east of the CBD.
The Adelaide round of LIV Golf was held at the Grange Golf Club from 2023 until this year and then will move to Kooyonga next year.