Lawyers for the South Australian government told the Federal Court that the exact number of trees that may be cut down during the redevelopment of the North Adelaide Golf Course in Adelaide has not yet been determined. This contradicts a statement by State Premier Peter Malinauskas, who said on the same day that, “as far as he recalls,” the government had publicly cited a figure of 585 trees prior to the election.
According to ABC News Australia, government representative Alison Dock KC explained that the design phase is still ongoing, so the final number of trees to be removed remains undetermined. She added that the government is also unable to provide the court with information on the species of trees slated for removal.
The parties to the lawsuit agree that 400 trees have already been cut down on the site. The lawsuit was filed by two private citizens who claim that the redevelopment violates laws protecting Adelaide’s parklands, which are listed as part of the national heritage. A government representative stated that the national heritage value should be assessed in relation to the entire park area, rather than a single park or activities within it. She also noted that thousands of trees remain in the parks.
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The renovation of the course was initially announced as part of a plan to host the LIV Golf tournament in the city. Judge Natalie Charlesworth asked whether the involvement of entities associated with the tournament in the design constituted an example of the commercial use of public parklands. A government representative responded that the course would remain publicly owned and accessible to visitors without requiring membership, although its design would allow for the tournament to be held there.
Malinauskas also acknowledged the risk that LIV Golf might not return to Adelaide next year, although, he said, he had received indications that the organizers intended to do so. The premier stated that the course could host the Australian Open for both men and women; the women’s tournament could potentially take place there in early 2028.
Meanwhile, opponents of the redevelopment submitted a “Stop the Chop” petition to the South Australian Parliament. According to them, parliamentary staff have collected more than 43,000 signatures.
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