Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg has thrown his voice behind the marketing campaign to “save” Sydney’s Moore Park Golf Course.
The NSW authorities introduced in October half of the general public golf course could be seized and 9 holes of the course could be became Sydney’s “central park” from 2026.
Which means as much as 20 hectares of the general public course will probably be repurposed in a bid to assist an estimated 80,000 residents residing inside two kilometres of the Moore Park space by 2040.
Sydney’s Inexperienced Sq. city renewal space is already residence to 33,000 individuals.
The change will see extra inexperienced area opened as much as most of the people, with grassroots sports activities and recreation being prioritised for the brand new “central park”.
Up till this level the 45 hectares of public land has been used as a golf course, the place solely paying golfers got entry.
A 9 gap course will nonetheless stay at Moore Park, with the favored driving vary and clubhouse additionally staying put.
In a video shared on Saturday from Moore Park’s tenth gap, Wahlberg referred to as on authorities to reverse their determination and preserve the complete 18-hole course.
“Hey everybody — particularly in Sydney, Australia — Mark Wahlberg right here,” he started.
“I do know I’m not a citizen of Australia however I’m pleading to you to avoid wasting Moore Park Golf Membership,” mentioned Wahlberg, an avid golf fan who not too long ago touched down in Australia.
“It’s been right here for over 100 years, it’s been giving individuals tons of and tons of of years of enjoyment and pleasure.
“Simply individuals having the ability to come out and get a pleasant wholesome stroll, spend high quality time along with household and associates.
“Please, I’ve seen tons and many parks and I haven’t seen too many pretty public golf programs like this which have entry for everyone. Please save Moore Park Golf Membership.”
The choice to chop Moore Park’s golf course in half has riled up many golfers, who famous Sydney’s Centennial Park was simply down the highway from Moore Park.
NSW Premier Chris Minns mentioned final 12 months native residents – in addition to others from metropolitan Sydney – have been asking for extra parklands.
“Because the New South Wales authorities points extra density, extra condominium residing, extra models, we have to steadiness that with extra open area,” he mentioned.
“This can remodel individuals’s experiences as they arrive into the world’s best metropolis with extra pure parkland, extra recreation area. It’s nice alternative for the residents on this neighborhood to get out and have enjoyable with their household and associates on this densely populated space.”
Talking to golfers who might take difficulty with the choice, the Premier emphasised that the world is “probably the most densely populated elements of your complete nation”.
“I simply wish to say there are loads of golf programs in Sydney and we’re not taking on all of them,” he mentioned.
“This neighborhood is predicted to develop from 30,000 to 80,000 by 2040 in a 5 kilometre radius of the place we’re standing.
“And it’s a recognition by the federal government that given we’re making choices about city consolidation, extra models, extra residences, there’s obtained to be extra inexperienced area too, this has obtained to be a commerce off and that is a part of our imaginative and prescient for Sydney.”
He added that the federal government is “actually not declaring conflict on golf”, however that this specific golf course has higher use for condominium blocks.
Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich expressed his assist for the transfer, including that he’s excited to see individuals take pleasure in public parkland somewhat than a closed off golf course.
“You realize, closed off 18 gap golf programs are not match for function in international cities with density continues to develop,” he mentioned.
“This can be a large alternative to open up new parkland and we’re gonna see golf buggies being changed with picnic mats and youngsters taking part in, and that’s what that’s what we want on this a part of the world.”
Public submissions to the NSW authorities on the way forward for Moore Park golf course shut on April 10.