Minns has $200m budget black hole for Moore Park plans

The Premier is being urged to back a plan to save an 18-hole golf course — and deliver more parkland for almost nothing, rather than carve it in half and leave the government with a bill of more than $200m.

Carving Moore Park Golf Course in half could whack the Minns government with a bill of more than $200 million, while plans to salvage the 18-hole course and deliver 15 hectares of new public parkland could cost the government nothing.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has allocated just $2.6 million in the budget over the next four years to hack the course in half and provide 20 hectares of “public, green space” for residents of growing city suburbs.

However, the total cost of delivering up to 20 hectares of new public parkland could cost almost 100 times that figure.

That estimate is contained in a public submission from the consortium of golf bodies looking to save the 18-hole course while creating 15 hectares of new public space.

The submission said that creating a 20 hectare “central park” as envisaged by the Minns government and City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore would have a “minimum financial cost” of more than $200 million.

The Save Moore Park Golf Course Campaign’s Jared Kendler said the cost of carving the course in half does not stack up. Picture: Ted Lamb

Ms Moore’s City of Sydney, despite leading the charge to rip up the golf course, is not planning to spend anything on the park conversion until chipping in $3 million in 2032/33.

Its “Operational Plan” commits another $7 million in 2033/34.

One former Coalition Minister said that would not be nearly enough, declaring the plan would cost a “fortune,” and could slash revenue raised from the existing golf course – which covers half the yearly operating budget of Greater Sydney Parklands.

“They could end up killing the goose that lays the golden egg,” the former Minister said.

While the plan championed by Mr Minns and Ms Moore would be a money sink, the government has been told that an alternate plan to save an 18-hole golf course could generate millions of dollars in additional revenue each year.

“There is potential uplift of at a minimum, two to $4 million per year at the site from a revenue potential,” Save Moore Park Golf Course campaign leader Jared Kendler said.

The Minns government wants to cut Moore Park Golf Course in half to deliver new public space. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The extra cash would come from more people playing at the golf course, and more benefits to businesses.

Modelling commissioned for the proposal found that an improved 18-hole course would generate $7.6 million per year in “economic” benefits, $4.38m in extra business revenue, and health savings.

Campaigners trying to save an 18-hole course have proposed an alternative model. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The design would cost about $40 million in capital expenditure over four years, which Mr Kendler said could be privately funded.

“There would be those in the private sector who would look to potentially fund it if they were able to generate some kind of return,” he said.

The plan to rip up Moore Park Golf Course and redevelop the land into premium park space stands in contrast to the Premier’s insistence that his cash-strapped budget cannot afford anything but the state’s essentials.

Nova Johnston, Skye Choueiri and Emily Luo enjoying the driving range at, Moore Park golf course, Sydney NSW. Picture: Ted Lamb

While Mr Minns has poured cold water on golfing groups’ proposal for a redesigned 18-hole course, Mr Scully has left the door open to considering the proposal.

“There will be further engagement on the design, including the re-imagined golf offering this year,” he said.

James Musgrove and partner Karen O’Sullivan said Moore Park is “stunning and affordable” for a public course. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman called on Mr Minns to consider the alternative proposal.

“Chris Minns and Clover Moore have ridden roughshod over a community golf club,” he said.

Golf enthusiasts James Musgrove, and his partner Karen O’Sullivan, who recently bought into the area, said the existing course was a “stunning and affordable” public course.

“It’s one of the better value places for golf for non members,” Mr Musgrove said.

“The sign on fees can be tens of thousands of dollars on top of private fees throughout the year, Moore Park is really great and open to visitors,” he said.

Originally published as Minns has $200m budget black hole for Moore Park plans