AFL clubs to play footy on fairways as golf clubs struggle
Sydney AFL clubs are in formal talks with Golf NSW to use fairways as training grounds, as pressure mounts to open golf courses to the public. REVEALED: SUBURBS CLOSE TO GOLF COURSES
NSW
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Golfers and Aussie rules footballers may soon be sharing the courses as the city’s battle for public space heats up.
Golf NSW and the AFL have confirmed they are thrashing out a deal on how some of metropolitan Sydney’s 91 golf courses can open their considerable land holdings to football clubs desperate for training space.
Golf NSW CEO Stuart Fraser said more than 10 Sydney golf courses — with a combined landmass of at least 300ha — are enduring “financial pressures”.
“Golf NSW has been in discussion with the AFL NSW to explore and identify any golf courses with excess space that could be utilised for ‘out of hours’ AFL training/competition activities,” Mr Fraser said.
“Other clubs in Sydney have connected with their local football community and offer alternative training and cross sport activities such as ‘Foot Golf’.”
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The COVID-19 pandemic has increased pressure on local parks and green space across the city.
There are 1.6 million people in Greater Sydney who live within 1.6km of a golf course and 160,400 that live within 400m, figures compiled by planning consultancy Astrolabe Group reveal.
Waterloo, Beaconsfield, Greystanes, Pemulwuy, Bexley, Arncliffe, Cabarita, Chatswood and Lane Cove have the most number of people within walking distance of a golf course.
Infrastructure and planning expert Michael Comninos called for a “new deal” where local groups or the state government give money to golf clubs in exchange for them increasing accessibility.
“The community is more likely to support change and growth if we can open up these spaces to be used by more people more often,” the Astrolabe Group director said.
“Buying more land for parks is a hard ask in established parts of Sydney.
“In most circumstances the best way to create access to parks is to use scarce public funds to enhance existing public spaces — like public golf courses.”
Asked about the proposal, Planning Minister Rob Stokes said “we should definitely look at it and if there are incentives like that to golf clubs — many of which are struggling with membership — we would be crazy not to look at it”.
Earlier this month Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Moore Park Golf Course should be halved to make way for community open space.
She presented Mr Stokes with a proposal this week.
Hudson Park in Strathfield is one of the most recent public golf courses to be converted to general open space, while Canterbury-Bankstown Council is looking at how it can do the same thing to Sefton and Canterbury courses.
“If you ask me what my preference is, a handful of golfers who have other choices, or families who want to enjoy open spaces, the choice is clear-cut,” Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said.
“We are a family community with an increasing population and they need somewhere to kick a footy, ride a bike or simply have a picnic.
“I want everyone in the community to use these facilities, not a few golfers.”
There are 142,197 golf members in NSW/ACT, according to Golf Australia’s 2019 annual report, a 1.4 per cent drop on the previous year and 5 per cent drop since 2015 (149,855).
But Mr Fraser said there will be “strong demand for golf courses/clubs for many years to come”, citing strong interest from golf-loving Asian communities as a major factor.
An AFL NSW spokeswoman confirmed their talks with Golf NSW, adding their participation has increased significantly in recent years “underpinned by growth in female football”.
“Consequently, our code critically needs additional green space in a variety of forms, particularly in Sydney’s east, lower north shore and inner west to cope with this increasing demand and limited new sports fields coming online in recent years,” she said.
“We’re in discussions with a variety of industry stakeholders to maximise green space and partner with all levels of government to deliver innovative and accessible community facilities.”
Originally published as AFL clubs to play footy on fairways as golf clubs struggle
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