Chris Minns to convert half of Moore Park Golf Course into land for parks and units
The Minns government will convert half of Moore Park Golf Course into Sydney’s own ‘Central Park’ to help cope with increasing population density in the inner city.
NSW
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Half of a premier golf course will be seized by the state government and turned into Sydney’s “central park” to justify greater density in the CBD.
With Chris Minns under pressure to deliver as many as 75,000 homes every year for the next five years to meet a national housing target, the hunt is on for space for both new apartments – and parks for the tens of thousands they must accommodate.
As a massive land audit of potential development sites progresses, the government has made a decision to shrink the 18-hole Moore Park Golf Course, with the seized land to be converted into a “thriving public park” with space for “grassroots” sport.
The move follows years of public debate and failed attempts to end the lease for the 45-hectare course, with former premier Bob Carr, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and independent MP Alex Greenwich among the leading proponents.
With the golf course operating agreement set to end in June 2026, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the government will take as much as 20 hectares for a new park.
The plan has been criticised by the president of the golf club who has claimed there has been “no engagement” on the controversial proposal.
John Janik, president of Moore Park Golf Club, said the government’s plan to whittle down the 18 hole course to just nine holes will mark the end of the club.
“No engagement at all, no explanation, no looking at alternatives like sharing the land. There are a lot more other options than this place,” he said.
“No one goes to nine hole golf courses. The Cammeray golf course has been cut to nine holes and no one goes there.
“That’s a practice course, not a golf course.”
However, the government has said a public consultation process will be undertaken with the City of Sydney, local community and stakeholders on the best way to revitalise the site for community sport.
A discussion paper will be released in early 2024 to guide the consultation, with talks to also occur with the current operator of Moore Park Golf Course on the future of the remaining holes and the operation of the clubhouse and driving range.
The government’s preferred option is the western boundary and part of the section north of Dacey Ave, which it believes will maximise accessibility to this much-needed new park for residents of Green Square, Zetland and Waterloo.
The Green Square urban renewal area already has 33,000 people living within it, with the precinct set to become one of the most densely populated areas in Australia as more residents are accommodated.
In justifying the move, Mr Minns said the golf course was established at a time when it was surrounded by predominantly industrial lands.
“Significant urban regeneration has seen housing density around Green Square and Zetland transform industrial land into a vibrant community,” he said. “There is huge demand from residents in the city for a variety of community sporting facilities in the city’s inner south and, with further density planned, this will only grow.”
When asked on Sunday, Mr Minns defended his decision carve up Moore Park golf club, saying his government is not declaring a “war on golf”.
Mr Minns said he accepted there would be opposition to the plan but said green space for families and kids must be prioritised.
“A key point here is that East Lakes golf course, a public course with 18 holes is just a 10 minute drive away,” he said.
“And we have to think about how Sydney grows into the future. And this is more about ensuring young people and older people, everyday Australians got access to this beautiful park in the heart of the greatest city on Earth.
“This will become an extension of the Centennial Park precinct.”
Centennial Park, which gets about 30 million visitors a year, is just a 7 minute drive from the golf course.
Despite the proximity of the two areas, Mr Minns defended the decision to axe part of the course because the Waterloo precinct is expected to grow from 30,000 residents to 80,000 residents by 2040.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal a “land audit” of sites that could be developed for housing has so far assessed almost 3000 properties.
It is understood Cabinet will consider the first tranche of short-listed properties before the end of this year with several thousand new dwellings expected to be developed on the first round of sites.
With as many as 80,000 additional residents expected to be living within two kilometres of Moore Park by 2040, Ms Moore said it was “imperative” they had access to green space and converting part of the golf course into a park was “clearly the solution”.
“Our proposal involves the golf course having a smaller footprint,” she said.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said creating more density in the city required finding more green space for its residents.
“Getting more people into homes closer to the city needs to be supported with more open space,” he said.
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