NSW premier Chris Minns’ government was cautioned in 2024 that its controversial plan to scrap nine holes from Sydney’s Moore Park Golf Course could come with a big price tag given “significant capital investment” was required, and that there could be a reduction government revenue from paying to maintain public land.
The proposed removal of nine holes at Moore Park is set to happen after current golf course operating agreements end in mid-2026, with the government wanting to repurpose 20 hectares of the golf course for green spaces.
As reported by the News Corp‘s Daily Telegraph this week, a “consultation outcomes report” which the newspaper obtained via freedom of information laws, flagged “significant” upfront costs and lost revenue could be incurred if the plan to cut the golf course by half went ahead.
The issues – which included how Centennial Parklands and Moore Park would operate and be maintained – were raised by stakeholders in a public consultation for the Minns Government’s proposal.
Last year, it was revealed the government is paying design firm Hassell close to $1 million for concepts of a reworked golf course and additional green space. The reworked Moore Park Golf Club would be a “minimum” of nine holes designed by golf course builders Golf in Design. The government won’t detail the cost of the construction but one estimate said a new public park could cost the government more than $200 million.
It comes months after the Moore Park Golf Collective, formed jointly by Golf Australia, PGA of Australia, Golf NSW and Moore Park Golf Club, unveiled plans to retain the 18-hole course but reduce the size and par to 68, while adding public amenities such as new walking, running and cycling tracks, mini-golf, futsal courts, a BMX pump track and even a nature reserve.
