Sydney golfers will be able to play on a 12-hole course in the inner city after the state government compromised on its plan to halve Moore Park\u2019s 18-hole golf course to create more public green space.<\/p>\n
The Minns government announced on Thursday its final plan for the 45-hectare Moore Park golf course site after a years-long battle over its future.<\/a><\/p>\n The government said the new plan would retain a 12-hole golf course \u2013 up from a previous nine-hole offering on the same amount of land \u2013 after feedback from golfers and the wider community.<\/p>\n \u201cThis plan delivers quality open space which will act as a backyard for thousands of people in one of Australia\u2019s most densely populated communities,\u201d the planning minister, Paul Scully, said.<\/p>\n Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMoore Park South will have something for everyone, whether people want to play sport, enjoy time outdoors, walk the dog or play a round of golf.\u201d<\/p>\n The number of people living within 5km of the new park is expected to rise to almost 790,000 in the next five years.<\/p>\n The government said the park would include pathways for running, walking and cycling, a fenced off-leash dog area, a community sports field, multi-purpose sports courts and outdoor fitness equipment, space for food kiosks \u2013 and the downsized 45-par golf course.<\/p>\n A government render of \u2018sand bunker nature play\u2019 at Moore Park South. Illustration: NSW government<\/p>\n There will also be an expanded driving range with up to 90 bays, putting and chipping greens and an 18\u2011hole mini\u2011golf course.<\/p>\n The community will be able to access the park from July, with substantial upgrades and additions expected to be completed by 2028.<\/p>\n The government vowed that \u201ca minimum of nine holes will be available to play until the 12-hole course is opened in 2027\u201d.<\/p>\n The Greater Sydney Parklands chief executive, Joshua French, said: \u201cOver the next three years, we\u2019ll be focused on delivering a park that is welcoming, accessible and well-managed, with facilities that respond to community needs, now and into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Splitting the existing 18-hole golf course in half to make way for the new public park had been resisted by golfers and an alliance of industry bodies.<\/p>\n Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia, Golf NSW and the Moore Park golf club responded to a draft plan in 2024<\/a> with their own plan to convert what it said was under-utilised land at the northern end of the course while retaining 18 holes.<\/p>\n The golf course is on public land but has been operated privately under successive lease agreements with the NSW government. The current agreement expires in mid-2026.<\/p>\n Jared Kendler, the vice-president of the Moore Park golf club, said an 18-hole golf course alongside new parklands had \u201calways been possible\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s still baffling that the government would not consider our alternative approaches and remains committed to Clover Moore\u2019s dream of cutting the golf course in half,\u201d he said, referring to the lord mayor of Sydney\u2019s long-time campaign for new parklands.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile any additional hole above nine helps to add capacity for people wanting to access this great game, we still have big concerns that the people who will be most impacted by cutting the course down from 18 holes will be those in our community who can least afford alternate options.\u201d<\/p>\n Kendler said the course was an affordable option for people with annual fees of $2,000 compared to higher costs at nearby private clubs.<\/p>\n The final plan for Moore Park South released on Thursday. Illustration: NSW government<\/p>\n