‘Keep no secrets’: Concerns over LIV Golf North Adelaide proposed redevelopment raised

The future of LIV Golf in North Adelaide hangs in the balance as concerns have been raised over the proposed redevelopment.

Any fresh plans for the redevelopment of the North Adelaide Golf Course to host LIV Golf faces potential opposition from Indigenous groups if it encroaches on two significant historical sites on the land.

South Australia’s first Christian mission for Aboriginal people and a school to teach Kaurna language, established in the late 1830s, are located on the current Par 3 course.

Pirltawardli/Piltawodli – the significant sites – were part of a $50m masterplan created in 2018, which was last week made public for the first time.

The initial plans placed a mini golf course, which was made public, over the two sacred sites but was eventually shelved in 2021.

A drawing of the Pirltawardli schoolyard by William Anderson Cawthorne, 1843. Picture: Supplied

Premier Peter Malinauskas’ recent announcement that LIV Golf would move from Grange to North Adelaide in 2028, has reignited concerns from the Indigenous community.

Kaurna Elder, Aunty Lynette Crocker, labelled the redevelopment as “outlandish” and said she would like to have had Kaurna consultation prior to the public announcement.

Aunty Lynette said she was concerned the site of the school and mission would get lost to history if there was any further development at the North Adelaide Golf Course.

“This would’ve been on the board years ago, it’s not something that would’ve happened in the last five minutes,” she said.

Kaurna Elder Lynette Crocker. Pic Mark Brake

“My personal and cultural thoughts are that nothing should be there. They’ve got enough land on the golf course as it is.

“There’s lots of history, but you can’t fit 200 years of history on a piece of confetti.”

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said designers and consultants part of the future golf course redevelopment had been given information regarding historic sites and would “avoid sensitive areas” in the planning process.

“We’re going to keep no secrets,” she said.

“I see no reason that one should believe that we can’t progress further with a new plan.”

Any party whose activities will “damage, disturb or interfere” with Aboriginal heritage requires authorisation from the Aboriginal Heritage Act, a state government spokesman said.

Piltawodli memorial in the North Adelaide Par 3 Golf Course which may be affected by the LIV Golf development. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

“Authorisations ensure Aboriginal heritage protection measures can be implemented throughout any authorised project works,” he said.

“Should an application for authorisations be made in respect of this development, the state government’s Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation division will undertake consultation with traditional owners, and other interested Aboriginal parties, in accordance with the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act.”

Aunty Lynette met with the Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Committee on Wednesday.

“I think in fairness to the Lord Mayor, she left it open to more consultation and more people at the table, it’s not going to be a quick fix,” Aunty Lynette said.