Creating more public parkland by reconfiguring Moore Park Golf Course

The 18-hole golf course covers 45ha of public land – similar to Sydney Park. With an increasing need for open space, we’re asking if the golf course is the best use of public land.

Project Status: Closed

Public consultation period to

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What we’re doing

When space at Moore Park was allocated for a golf course in 1913, the surrounding land was predominantly industrial. Moore Park now neighbours the Green Square urban renewal area, the densest residential community in Australia.

By 2040, there will be up to 80,000 additional people living in Zetland, Redfern and Waterloo within 2km of the Moore Park. 

As cities grow and change, many councils are now reviewing how to meet their community’s open space needs. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of public parkland.

Reconfiguring Moore Park Golf Course to create up to 20ha of new public parkland would provide more equitable access to this significant open space.

The City of Sydney is testing 2 potential options to create new parkland by reconfiguring the golf course from an 18-hole to a 9-hole course.

Both options retain the popular driving range facility, club house and maintenance depot. They include space for new public paths around the perimeter of the course improving access to other parts of Moore Park and Centennial Park proposed in the Moore Park master plan. 

The outcome of the consultation will be provided to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to inform decisions about public land in the area including Moore Park Golf Course.

Issues to consider

  • Importance of large green areas: The City of Sydney is creating 40 parks and playgrounds as part of the Green Square urban renewal. However, small parks don’t provide the same opportunity as large green spaces to stride out, relax and recharge, and connect with nature.
  • Putting public parklands to best use: Each year there are 31 million visits to Centennial Parklands while 60,000 rounds of golf are played at Moore Park. At any given time, the 18-hole golf course accommodates up to 80 golfers.
  • Golf courses in the area: There are 12 other golf courses in the inner city and eastern Sydney area.
  • Community need: The pandemic has reinforced how valuable parklands are for people to relax and recharge, connect with nature, exercise and socialise – especially for people living in high-density neighbourhoods.
  • Other examples: Use of public land is being reconsidered in cities around the world. New public parkland is being created by opening up land previously reserved for golf at Victoria Park, Brisbane
Aerial photograph showing a golf course alongside housing and businesses.

How you can give feedback

Complete our short online feedback form.

Feedback form

Feedback may be published in publicly available reports at the end of the consultation period. Your name or organisation's name may appear in these reports with your feedback attributed. If you would like your feedback to be kept confidential, please let us know when making your submission.

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