Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg has thrown his voice behind the campaign to “save” Sydney’s Moore Park Golf Course.
The NSW government announced in October half of the public golf course would be seized and nine holes of the course would be turned into Sydney’s “central park” from 2026.
This means that up to 20 hectares of the public course will be repurposed in a bid to support an estimated 80,000 residents living within two kilometres of the Moore Park area by 2040.
Sydney’s Green Square urban renewal area is already home to 33,000 people.
The change will see more green space opened up to the general public, with grassroots sports and recreation being prioritised for the new “central park”.
Up until this point the 45 hectares of public land has been used as a golf course, where only paying golfers were given access.
A nine hole course will still remain at Moore Park, with the popular driving range and clubhouse also staying put.
In a video shared on Saturday from Moore Park’s 10th hole, Wahlberg called on authorities to reverse their decision and keep the full 18-hole course.
“Hey everyone — especially in Sydney, Australia — Mark Wahlberg here,” he began.
“I know I am not a citizen of Australia but I am pleading to you to save Moore Park Golf Club,” said Wahlberg, an avid golf fan who recently touched down in Australia.
“It’s been here for over 100 years, it’s been giving people hundreds and hundreds of years of pleasure and joy.
“Just people being able to come out and get a nice healthy walk, spend quality time together with family and friends.
“Please, I’ve seen lots and lots of parks and I haven’t seen too many lovely public golf courses like this that have access for everybody. Please save Moore Park Golf Club.”
The decision to cut Moore Park’s golf course in half has riled up many golfers, who noted Sydney’s Centennial Park was just down the road from Moore Park.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said last year local residents – as well as others from metropolitan Sydney – have been asking for more parklands.
“As the New South Wales government issues more density, more apartment living, more units, we need to balance that with more open space,” he said.
“This will transform people’s experiences as they come into the world’s greatest city with more natural parkland, more recreation space. It’s great opportunity for the residents in this community to get out and have fun with their family and friends in this densely populated area.”
Speaking to golfers who may take issue with the decision, the Premier emphasised that the area is “one of the most densely populated parts of the entire country”.
“I just want to say there are a lot of golf courses in Sydney and we’re not taking over all of them,” he said.
“This community is expected to grow from 30,000 to 80,000 by 2040 in a five kilometre radius of where we’re standing.
“And it’s a recognition by the government that given we are making decisions about urban consolidation, more units, more apartments, there’s got to be more green space too, this has got to be a trade off and this is part of our vision for Sydney.”
He added that the government is “certainly not declaring war on golf”, but that this particular golf course has better use for apartment blocks.
Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich expressed his support for the move, adding that he’s excited to see people enjoy public parkland rather than a closed off golf course.
“You know, closed off 18 hole golf courses are no longer fit for purpose in global cities with density continues to grow,” he said.
“This is a massive opportunity to open up new parkland and we’re gonna see golf buggies being replaced with picnic mats and kids playing, and that’s what that’s what we need in this part of the world.”
Public submissions to the NSW government on the future of Moore Park golf course close on April 10.
Discussion about this post