Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Golfing collective unveils counter proposal for Sydney’s Moore Park

Golfing collective unveils counter proposal for Sydney’s Moore Park
November 9, 2024

The Moore Park Golf Collective, an alliance of golfing organisations, has revealed an alternative plan for Sydney’s Moore Park course, countering plans announced by the NSW Government last year to halve it to a nine-hole course, and convert 20 hectares to public park.

The proposal, developed by consultants Sport Eng, suggest a reduced 18-hole public golf course with part of the open space to be reconfigured with 3kms of running, walking and cycling paths, adventure and nature playgrounds, a sports field, skate park, BMX track, fitness trail and dog park.

The alliance, comprising Golf Australia, PGA of Australia, Golf NSW and Moore Park Golf Club, today announced the plan to transform the Moore Park South precinct into what it calls “a vibrant, world-class recreational and golf facility.”

The alternative proposal, submitted to the NSW Government during its consultation process in April 2024, supports the retention of the 18-hole golf course by maximising un-used and under-utilised open space for active and passive recreation and active transport.

Its release follows resistance by golfers and stakeholders to the NSW Government’s plan to provide more open space to the nearly 700,000 people live within 5km of Centennial Parklands, most in high-rise apartments with little green space. The NSW Government proposal would turn over 20 hectares - nine holes of golf - to public parklands by mid-2026.

Announcing the Moore Park Golf Collective’s alternative proposal, Jared Kendler, Leader of Save Moore Park Golf, stated “we have been working to ensure the alternative proposal aligns with the Premier's vision to establish Moore Park South as a vibrant recreational destination for all.

“By enhancing existing infrastructure and revitalising un-used and under-utilised areas, the initiative aims to create a park that caters to diverse recreational interests in a financially sustainable way that solves the many challenges in the broader precinct.”

“This exciting master plan delivers a minimum of 15 hectares of quality and connected recreational space for play, exploration, relaxing, walking and sports activities for people of all ages and as such is a win/win/win for the Government, the people of Sydney and the visitor economy.”

This morning saw Kendler - along with Damien de Bohun, General Manager of Clubs and Facilities Golf Australia and Golf NSW Chief Executive, Stuart Fraser – unveiled the proposal designed to accelerate the NSW Premier’s vision for upgraded infrastructure and more recreational space while preserving the iconic and highly utilised Moore Park Golf Course.

de Bohun said the proposal prioritises the preservation and enhancement of Moore Park Golf Course, positioning Moore Park South as a park for everyone and the home of public golf in NSW.

He advised “not only does the proposal incorporate innovative features such as protected recreational areas and well-connected walking, running and cycling tracks, it also offers a 500-space carpark to accommodate the growing influx of visitors and overflow parking for major events in the area.

“With golf one of the most popular organised sports in Australia in 2024, this plan addresses the significant demand for golf facilities and ensures that Australia’s busiest 18-hole public golf course remains available and accessible to people from all walks of life, contributing to improved physical and mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

Creating significant employment opportunities in management, events, retail and hospitality, Moore Park Golf Course is also home to a thriving golf academy, where PGA of Australia professionals conduct more than 77 lessons per day, including group classes for children and new Mums and Bubs sessions.

Noting that Moore Park Golf Club has been a key community asset for over 100 years, Fraser added “Golf NSW believes the alternate proposal provides a win-win solution for the NSW Government and a growing Sydney by offering a multitude of recreational activities, whilst continuing to service the massive demand for publicly accessible golf via an 18-hole course.

“The proposed recreational hub will truly be the heartbeat of the precinct, and golf industry stakeholders welcome the opportunity to maximise the recreational benefits of the site for the community."

The Collective is also working to build climate resilience and biodiversity by creating revegetation areas throughout the course for the critically endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS). Undertaken with IndigiGrow, a social enterprise from First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation, sustaining people, land and culture through the propagation and growing of native plants, the initiative will promote environmental sustainability and continue conservation efforts.

Images: The Moore Park Golf Course (top) and plans, designed by the SportEng consultancy, for its reconfiguration with 3kms of running, walking and cycling paths, adventure and nature playgrounds, a sports field, skate park, BMX track, fitness trail and dog park (middle and below).

Related Articles

8th November 2024 - Australian Golf Industry Council emphasises community benefits of golf

16th October 2024 - GolfSpace and UTS collaborate to increase golf’s accessibility and uncover an AI-led coaching tool

30th August 2024 - Western Australian Golf Courses recognise reality of climate change

14th August 2024 - SportEng helps enhance Thomson Oval with all-weather turf field

26th July 2024 - Golf federations back Sports for Nature initiative

12th July 2024 - Swing Factory Terrey Hills introduces new golf experience to Sydney

5th July 2024 - Clublinks reopens Moore Park Golf course following installation of Trackman Range technology

3rd July 2024 - MyGolf junior introductory program attracts record numbers

19th June 2024 - Australia secures 100 signatures for The R&A Women in Golf Charter

30th May 2024 - End of lease sees closure of Sydney Holey Moley mini golf location

27th April 2024 - Golf Australia agrees partnership with LIV tour

27th February 2024 - Community input invited on Sydney’s new ‘Central Park’ and reimagining of Moore Park’s existing golf offering

12th January 2024 - New mini golf attraction opens on NSW Central Coast

28th December 2023 - Royal Sydney Golf Club names new Chief Executive

28th November 2023 - Australian golf reports fourth consecutive year of participation growth

30th October 2023 - Golf Australia welcomes two new directors and new Chair

26th October 2023 - Golf Australia backs public golf facilities highlighting benefits of Moore Park Course

22nd October 2023 - NSW Government announces plans to transform half of Sydney’s Moore Park Golf Course to parkland

11th October 2023 - NSW Government retains on-grass parking for Moore Park event accessibility

5th June 2023 - Clublinks steps in to manage Geelong’s Queens Park Golf Club

14th July 2022 - SportEng secures NSC Sports and Climate Change Award 2022

6th May 2022 - Historic Toll House in Sydney’s Moore Park transformed into contemporary fitness and wellness facility

26th October 2020 - City of Sydney pushes for Moore Park Golf Course to be halved in size to unlock more public parkland

27th August 2020 - Clublinks partners with EnquiryBot on digital marketing project at Moore Park Golf Course

1st August 2017 - Sydney’s Moore Park precinct welcomes more than 1.85 million fans in past year


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Anti Wave Global

Anti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Sport

 
 

Ungerboeck Software

As of February 2023, Ungerboeck Software has rebranded as Momentus Technologies.

read more

Entertainment / Events / Hospitality / Technology / Venues

 
 

SeatGeek Asia Pacific

SeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

VITEC

Stadiums and venues around the world recognise that success hinges on more than just what happens on the pitch. More than ever, fan engagement within each facility is a critical part of the overall…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

Hydrocare Pool Services

Hydrocare Pool Services Pty Ltd offer 30 years of experience in aquatic industry features, products and water treatment. Hydrocare Pools has undertaken water treatment for aquatic centres and…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Technology

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 

PaySmart

Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business