Arabic version: تحويل ملعب جولف مور بارك إلى مساحة خضراء مجتمعية

The historic Moore Park Golf Course in inner Sydney is being restructured to create new leisure space for the community. The first stage of the proposed 20-hectare recreational park is set to open to the public on July 13. This initiative has sparked controversy, particularly among the golfing community, as it reduces the course from 18 to 12 holes.

According to ABC News, New South Wales Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully announced that the park will feature an off-leash dog area, picnic benches, and food services from the nearby golf club. A new 12-hole golf course is also planned for construction in the next few years.

Minister Scully emphasized the necessity of this transformation to provide recreational space for the increasing population in the area, which currently has about 690,000 residents within five kilometers of the site. Projections indicate this number could rise to 790,000 by 2041.

The changes have faced pushback from Golf Australia, whose chief executive, James Sutherland, expressed concerns over the significant reduction in golf capacity. He highlighted that Moore Park Golf Course is one of the busiest public golf facilities in the Southern Hemisphere, serving as a vital space for learning and playing golf close to the city center.

Architect Harley Kruse has been contracted to design the new 12-hole course, promising improved greens and engaging hole designs. The state government has committed $50 million to develop the park, which will include amenities such as pathways, barbecues, and lighting, ensuring it evolves to meet community needs over time.