The NSW government has announced plans to repurpose up to 20-hectares of Sydney’s 45-hectare Moore Park Golf Course into a public park.
The public golf course is currently under agreement with the NSW government for the entire site until June 2026. When the agreement expires, the NSW government has revealed it intends to transform less than 20 hectares of the course into a new central park, with the objective of providing Sydney-siders with more green space for sports and recreation.
The preferred portion for repurposing is the western boundary and north of Dacey Avenue to maximize accessibility to Green Square, Zetland and Waterloo suburbs, which are forecasted to experience significant population growth.
In a communique issued by the government, it stated: “It’s time this green space in the heart of the city shifts from being used only as a public golf course accessible only to paying golfers into parkland that supports our growing city.”
NSW premier Chris Minns said Sydney has changed significantly since the golf course was first constructed.
“When the golf course was first established, the surrounding areas were largely industrial lands,” he said.
“Significant urban regeneration has seen housing density around Green Square and Zetland transform industrial land into a vibrant community. As we work to tackle the housing crisis facing NSW by building up, we know that delivering public infrastructure including parks is more important than ever before.
“There is huge demand from residents in the city for a variety of community sporting facilities in the city’s inner south, and with further density planned this will only grow.”
The public consultation phase will soon commence with the City of Sydney, the local community, and other stakeholders about how best to revitalize the public asset. A discussion paper will be released in early 2024 to guide the consultation process, which will include dialogue with the current operator of Moore Park Golf Course.
A proposal to half the Moore Park Golf Course was first suggested by City of Sydney in 2016. In 2020, the then-planning minister Rob Stokes knocked back the proposal after intense lobbying from golfers.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said they are committed to supporting an increase in housing and public infrastructure.
“This land is part of Sydney’s backyard. We can repurpose this area as public open space while retaining a golf course and driving range. We know that getting more people into homes closer to the city through increased density, needs to be supported with more open space,” Scully said.
“The communities of Redfern, Waterloo, Green Square and Zetland are crying out for more green space and this change will go a long way to satisfying their needs.”
Green Square urban renewal area is expected to become one of the most densely populated areas in Australia, with the City of Sydney forecasting that 80,000 residents will live within two kilometres of Moore Park by 2040.
The NSW government will soon engage in discussions with the City of Sydney about a memorandum of understanding on the ongoing maintenance of the new park.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
