Cammeray Golf Club to reopen amid legal challenge, compensation payouts

A prestigious Sydney golf club is set to reopen in coming weeks after major construction works at the site sparked backlash from residents, a legal challenge and almost $1m in state government payouts.

An artist impression of the reconfigured golf club.

Cammeray Golf Club is set to reopen in coming weeks after major construction works at the site sparked backlash from residents, a legal challenge and almost $1m in state government payouts.

Transport for NSW has confirmed it is winding up construction works at the golf club after using the site as a works zone for the multibillion-dollar Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade.

The announcement comes as new tender documents reveal Transport for NSW last month paid the golf club $172,416 in financial support for a two-month extended construction period at the site.

The payout, made on May 3, follows figures released last year showing Transport for NSW paid the club an additional $821,300 in compensation for a temporary lease on its golfing greens.

Major construction activity at the golf club has involved removing hundreds of trees to make way for temporary construction facilities that will support tunnelling and surface works on the new motorway.

A photo of construction activity at the site.

The work has also included reconfiguring the site into a new nine-hole golf course.

However, 1.5ha of the course has been permanently acquired by Transport for NSW for the use of a “motorway facilities” building which will facilitate the operation of the tunnel once completed.

A photo showing the amount of land permanently acquired at the site.

The acquisition continues to draw critics from residents over environmental impacts including removal of established native trees.

There are also questions over the realignment of the golf course and how much space will be able to be used by the community – as per the public space arrangements prior to construction commencing at the site.

North Sydney mayor Zoe Baker said the council was still in negotiations with Transport for NSW and the golf club on a commitment for public access to the site.

“We just want to make certain that when the state government hands the land back, the council remains the crown land manager with care and control on behalf of the community,” she said. “It’s an important public space, particularly in an area with such high density.”

The golf course has been reconfigured ahead of the reopening.

Kristina Dodds, a P & C member at the nearby Cammeraygal High School, said many residents remained concerned over the loss of trees, the location of unfiltered ventilation stacks near schools, and construction vehicles on local roads.

“Now the Beaches Link (which would have connected to the Western Harbour Tunnel) is on hold, we think the whole project should be revisited,” she said.

“The loss of trees has been devastating and we still don’t know what the public access to the park will be. Inner West Council received a new park at Rozelle for the same project and we think we’ve gotten the raw end of the deal.”

A photo of construction works at the site.

Transport for NSW in a statement said it “was committed to replacing trees and plantings to deliver a future increase in tree canopy in consultation with North Sydney Council as per the conditions of approval, which includes the 2:1 tree replacement requirement.”

A department spokeswoman confirmed the club would reopen in coming weeks and thanked the community for their “understanding throughout the planning and delivery of this new look golf course”.

“Cammeray Golf Club is one of the state’s oldest golf courses and we recognise the important and historic role it plays in bringing our community together,” she said. “New and existing members will soon be able to enjoy this new course, which will deliver an enjoyable experience for golfers at all levels.

“Importantly, it has not only retained much of its existing tree line but also has many new trees, offering extra greenery and shade for players.

“We will continue to work with councils, the community and stakeholders so the land we are temporarily using to support these city shaping projects, is reopened as public space once we have finished construction.”

Residents have opposed the removal of trees at Cammeray Golf Club

Transport for NSW previously offered North Sydney Council $35,000 in compensation as the Crown lands manager of the site.

North Sydney Council has disputed the offer by challenging the acquisition in the Land and Environment Court. Further hearings are scheduled for later this year.

Cammeray Golf Club will open its new course once the fairway is in a playable condition, which is expected in the coming weeks.

The new par three nine-hole course will include landscaping works, practice facilities and holes of varying lengths, up to 165 metres.

Construction on the first stage of the Western Harbour Tunnel began in mid-2022 and is expected to open to traffic in 2028.