Plans to transform Moore Park Golf Course into Sydney’s new central park

The NSW Government is set to transform a section of the Moore Park Golf Course into a new central park, following proposals for additional recreational spaces within the growing inner city.

In anticipating the end of operation agreements between Moore Park Golf Course and the state government, an expected 20 hectares of the public land will be utilised for the new green space. Moore Park Golf Course is currently spread across forty-five hectares and is close to many growing residential suburbs.

The golf course’s location at the corner of South Dowling Street and Darcey Avenue is the proposed section for the new park area, and will be easily accessible for Green Square, Zetland, and Waterloo residents.

Addressing the growing demand

The government anticipates over 80,000 people will be living in a 2km radius of Moore Park by 2040. In announcing the new plans, Premier Chris Minns acknowledged increasing demand would only rise along with the density of the city.

“Over the past century, Sydney has changed significantly. When the golf course was first established, the surrounding areas were largely industrial lands,” Minns explains.

“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.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, expressed the significance of Moore Park within the growing area.

“We know that getting more people into homes closer to the city through increased density, needs to be supported with more open space,” says Scully.

Recalling the $2.2 billion dollar Budget investment towards enabling infrastructure, Scully says, “We’ve always said were focused on increasing housing with supporting infrastructure [and] today’s announcement is a great start.”

Returning parkland to public use

Describing the park as apart of “Sydney’s backyard,” Scully explains that in addition to the new public space, the golf course and accompanying driving range will be retained.

“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,” Scully continued.

The park will also be utilised by visitors of neighbouring Centennial Parklands, which receives over 30 million visits every year.

Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich expresses his gratitude towards the government for addressing the “expanding inner city” and “returning this precious parkland back to public use.”

The government is expected to begin consultation on the project soon, involving the local community and relevant stakeholders to the space will be optimal for both sport and recreational use.

City of Sydney will also be apart of the upcoming consultations, previously providing the park concept of reducing Moore Park Golf Course from eighteen to nine holes in 2020.

Following the announcement, City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore expressed her excitement for the governments approval of their proposal, in providing extended green spaces for the community.

“The City [of Sydney Council] is creating 40 parks and playgrounds as part of the Green Square urban renewal, but small parks don’t provide the same opportunity as large green spaces to stride out, relax and recharge, play sport and connect with nature,” said Moore, in a post to Instagram.

“So I thank and congratulate the Premier – it is imperative for growing, densely-populated communities to have access to open space with parkland and this will really help.”

In early 2024, a document is expected to be publicly issued in order to direct consultations. The document is to feature discussions with the current operator of Moore Park Golf Course regarding the future of the remaining holes, and the operation of the clubhouse and driving range.

Current agreements between the gold course and state government are to expire in June, 2026.