Royal Sydney Golf Club launches legal challenge against Woollahra Council over $17m course upgrade

A legal showdown is looming between an elite Sydney golf club and a local council over the club’s plans to cut down almost 600 trees to make way for a $17 million course upgrade.

A legal showdown is looming between an elite Sydney golf club and a local council over its plans to cut down almost 600 trees to make way for a $17 million course upgrade.

The Royal Sydney Golf Club will take Woollahra Council to the Land and Environment Court to appeal the rejection of its long-planned course revamp by the local planning panel.

The development has been in the works since 2019 and would involve upgrading the site’s greens, fairways and bunkers to cater for its 5900-plus members.

The council’s planning panel knocked back the development in March – finding the removal of 595 established trees as part of the project was not “justified”.

Many of the 358 submissions lodged during two rounds of consultation also opposed the loss of vegetation and habitat. Construction impacts, including the 910 truck movements estimated to be generated during the development period, were also highlighted by residents.

Plans for the redevelopment have been in the works for three years.

The golf club’s plans stated the loss of trees would be offset by “rewilding” one quarter of its 57ha site with native trees and shrubs which would “restore the grounds to their original coastal heathland character”.

Club general manager Michael Solomons said the golf course would “continue to decline” if the development does not proceed.

The club has hosted major events including the Australian Open.

“The club is appealing the panel’s decision because it is confident in the mutual benefits of the development application for both the club and the local community,” he said in a statement.

“The project addresses many long standing infrastructure issues with the golf course and presents an opportunity to create one of the most important sanctuaries of flora and fauna in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“The club will work through its appeal process within the processes and discretions provided by the Land and Environment Court.”

The golf club – which is a regular host of the Australian Open – is the latest venue in Sydney to face planning hurdles against local council planning authorities.

The club is taking the development bid to the Land and Environment Court.

Recent examples include Marrickville Golf Club which was subject to a long-running lease dispute with Inner West Council, while Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore previously lobbied for Moore Park Golf Course to be reduced from 18 holes to nine to provide more parkland for residents.

Woollahra Council’s planning panel, in its decision, stated it did support the preparation of a masterplan for the Rose Bay club and a reduction in the grass area to be revegetated as part of the proposal.

Greens councillor Nicola Grieve also described the battle against the club as one between nature and “some of Sydney’s most cashed up elites”.

The Royal Sydney Golf Club’s appeal has been set for a first directions hearing in the Land and Environment Court on Thursday.