Killara Golf Club plans tree removal and course realignment over falling pine cones

A Sydney golf club is proposing to spend almost $100,000 reconfiguring its greens due to concerns golfers are at risk of being injured by falling pine cones.

Bunya pines pictured at the golf club.

Concerns over large pine cones falling on north shore golfers has prompted a leading golf club to plan a major tree removal project.

Killara Golf Club is proposing to spend almost $100,000 to reduce safety risks at the venue, which includes falling pine cones from four-decade old Bunya Pine trees located on the course.

Bunya Pines can grow 30 to 45m in height and are known for their large spiky cones filled with edible seeds.

Some cones have been weighed as heavy as 6.2kg – prompting some authorities, including Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden, to fence Bunyas off when they begin producing nuts.

Last year, a British tourist had to be taken to hospital after being struck by a falling cone during a walk in Cremorne Point.

Bunya pine trees at the golf club.

At Killara Golf Club, it is understood there have been people struck by the pine cones rolling down the fairway as well as several near misses involving pine cones and golfers.

The club has raised further safety concerns over the potential for stray golf balls hit by golf members injuring members of the public at a nearby tennis court and bowling green, located directly next to the first tee.

Bunya trees are proposed to be removed at the course.

A photo of a bunya pine cone at the course.

In response, the club is proposing to realign the tee to “mitigate the safety risk of errant tee shots hit towards” the tennis and bowling facilities.

Bunya Pines planted during the 1980s will also be cut down at the club’s 18th hole and replaced with “more appropriate” species. In all, 39 trees will be cut down as part of the project.

Plans state the tree removal would mitigate the risk of the golf club being held legally liable if a golfer was hit by a pine cone.

“These cones are extremely large and pose a very real danger to anyone in its path or directly under a cone free falling to the ground. They are totally inappropriate to be planted this close to regular golf play and golf traffic,” a planner for the realignment stated.

A concept image of the course realignment.

“On one site visit to inspect the course I was very nearly struck by a large Bunya Pine cone as it hit the ground and bounced and rolled quickly down into the middle of the 18th fairway.

“The prospect of having to close the 18th golf hole at the time of year when these cones drop would be most detrimental to the operation of the golf course and the business of the club.”

The club stated replacing the Bunya Pines with lower profile trees could open up views of the club house from the golf course and therefore “add to the visitor experience and the desire of Killara Golf Club to provide a top-class golf course and entertainment experience”.

The club’s general manager David Gazzoli said the safety of club members was paramount.

“We’ve had several near misses (between the pines and golfers) and in fact we had a near miss just the other day,” he said.

“The pine cones roll down the fairway and if one was to take out a 76-year-old person out they could really do some damage to their legs. There’re huge trees and it’s an issue across the north shore and the beaches where they’ve been planted.”

The proposal has been lodged to Ku-ring-gai Council and remains under assessment.