A major redevelopment of the North Adelaide Public Golf Course has cleared a significant legal hurdle, with the Federal Court dismissing a challenge seeking to stop the project.
Justice Natalie Charlesworth handed down the decision on Thursday, October 1, following a six-day trial over whether the redevelopment should have been referred to the Federal Environment Minister for assessment under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The challenge was brought by Edwin Kemp Attrill and Kaurna woman Janette Milera, with concerns raised about the redevelopment’s impact on the Adelaide Park Lands, including the removal of trees and potential effects on the grey-headed flying fox. The Federal Court ultimately found the project was not likely to have a significant impact requiring referral under the Act.
“At the completion of the project there will remain in the parklands more than 70,000 trees,” Justice Charlesworth said in the judgment, according to the State Government.
“The predominance of landscape has not been disturbed in a way that is likely to constitute a significant impact on the listed values.”
The decision means work can continue on the major transformation of the South Course into a championship-standard public golf course.
The $45 million redevelopment includes a new 18-hole championship course, driving range and practice facilities, alongside expanded walking and cycling connections through the surrounding park lands. Construction on the South Course began in April this year.
Around 585 of more than 9,000 trees within the project area are expected to be impacted. Under the North Adelaide Public Golf Course Act 2025, at least three replacement trees must be planted for every tree removed, with more than 1,700 new trees planned across the site.
The redevelopment has attracted significant opposition over its impact on the Adelaide Park Lands, while the State Government has argued the project will improve the public course, provide additional recreational connections and allow Adelaide to host major international golf tournaments.
From 2028, North Adelaide is set to become a major Australian tournament venue. A long-term agreement with Golf Australia will see men’s and women’s Australian Opens staged at the course between 2028 and 2034, while the redevelopment has also been designed to accommodate LIV Golf Adelaide.
Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed Thursday’s ruling.
“We can now get on with delivering a world-class public golf course in the heart of Adelaide,” he said.
“This project will deliver better facilities for public golfers, create opportunities to host major international tournaments, support tourism and jobs, and provide improved walking and riding connections for the broader community.”
The North Course and Par 3 Course remain open while redevelopment work continues on the South Course.
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