Win for golfers as final Moore Park plans are revealed

More than half of Moore Park’s 18-hole golf course will be retained in the NSW government’s controversial plan to carve up the fairways, under changes aimed at appeasing golfers who fought to save the full course in Sydney’s east.

The Minns government angered golfing enthusiasts with its $50 million-plus proposal to chop in half the inner-city course to create a 20-hectare civic park for the area’s fast-growing population.

Draft plans last year included a rejigged nine-hole golf course and an expanded 90-bay driving range at Moore Park South. But the government on Thursday revealed its final designs, which feature a reconfigured 12-hole course, following feedback from sporting groups, the community and councils.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the government had worked with Golf NSW and a golf architect to devise the par-45, 12-hole golf course to replace the existing full-length, par-72 course.

“Moore Park South will have something for everyone, whether people want to play sport, enjoy time outdoors, walk the dog or play a round of golf,” Scully said.

“This plan delivers quality open space which will act as a backyard for thousands of people in one of Australia’s most densely populated communities.”

But Moore Park Golf Club deputy president Jared Kendler said staff were “bitterly disappointed” the government had not considered any of the alternative proposals that would have retained the 18-hole course and the park.

“This could be careening towards the worst of worse outcomes unless they start listening to experts on the ground,” Kendler said.

Labor has charged ahead with its ambition to tear up part of the championship-length golf course – a controversial plan that has pitted NSW Premier Chris Minns and influential City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore against the club, golf players, local councils and MPs, and the NSW opposition.

Work on changes to the course are expected to begin in July, and the government said there would be “access for the community immediately”.

The 12-hole course will retain its finish at Golf House, and facilities will include the driving range, an 18-hole mini-golf course, and putting and chipping greens. A minimum of nine holes will be available to play until the 12-hole course is opened in 2027, the government said.

The parkland will include new bike and pedestrian pathways, a fenced off-leash dog area, a community sporting field, a nature playground, public toilets and outdoor fitness equipment.

Construction on substantial upgrades is expected to be mostly completed by 2028.

Golf NSW chief executive Stuart Fraser said the group, which is the state’s peak body for golf, acknowledged it had been consulted on the project, specifically on the final course layout.

“The preference has always been to retain 18 holes; however, this was physically not possible,” Fraser said.

“Internationally recognised golf course architect Harley Kruse has, however, configured a 12-hole layout that would be practical and still offer a challenge for golfers of all abilities.”

Kendler said while any additional holes from the previously proposed nine-hole course were welcome, the size of the 20-hectare park remained the same.

“The plan the government put out today does not do anything innovative to maintain access to golf,” he said.

The government said in a statement that the public would be kept updated on changes to parkland access and the phased opening of parkland recreation facilities at Moore Park during construction.

“The final plan was also informed by the results of soil testing which found common contaminants deep underground which will not impact Moore Park South’s future use as a parkland,” the statement said.

Separately, a new 12-hole golf course is expected to open at Chatswood in June.

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