Decision details

Minute by the Lord Mayor

To Council:

After years of campaigning for the return of this precious parkland to the community, I strongly support the NSW Government’s decision to transform 20-hectares of Moore Park Golf course to publicly accessible parkland, which will achieve the highest and best use of this public land.

Moore Park neighbours Green Square to the west, one of the densest residential areas in Australia. By 2040, up to 80,000 more people will be living within 2km of Moore Park in Zetland, Redfern and Waterloo. Expanding the public park at Moore Park South is a welcome response to the City’s growing population and needs of our community.

NSW Government consultation

Greater Sydney Parklands, which is responsible for Moore Park, completed consultation on the future of Moore Park South last year on behalf of the NSW Government. The ‘What We Heard’ Report outlined what people want the new park to look like and be used for. It highlighted existing access barriers to the park and other issues that need to be examined such as the need for certainty around ongoing funding for the new open space, which I agree is important. 

In response to that feedback, on 28 October 2025, the NSW Government released a draft Moore Park South Establishment Plan (‘the Plan’) showing how it intends to transform 20ha of Moore Park Golf Course into new parkland alongside a 9-hole golf course, expanded driving range and 18-short form (mini) golf course.

Now, the NSW Government is seeking further community and stakeholder feedback on the Plan for Moore Park South until Monday, 24 November 2025, to inform planning and shape the future of new park. On 3 November 2025, Council was briefed on the Plan by Greater Sydney Parklands and City of Sydney staff attended a workshop on 12 November 2025.

City of Sydney submission

The City’s submission to the consultation, which is attached to the subject Minute, supports the NSW Government’s Plan for Moore Park South, which aligns with my advocacy for more passive recreation space, the City’s strategic directions and responds to increasing population growth and density in surrounding areas.

We support the location of the new park on the western side of the current golf course, north of Dacey Avenue, and agree with a staged masterplan approach that allows the park to evolve in response to community feedback and recreation trends.

Early activation should prioritise removing as much of the existing fencing as possible, establishing the pathway network with lighting, and creating a perimeter loop to connect with Centennial Park to encourage walking, running and cycling while improving safety and accessibility.

A large playground, community sports field, pump track (used by people on bikes, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades) and multipurpose courts are all supported as inclusive facilities that will attract a wide demographic. While amenities such as BBQs, picnic areas, toilets, water bubblers and shelters are essential for comfort, social interaction and longer visits.

The City welcomes plans for increased canopy cover, ecological zones and enhanced habitat, which will strengthen the park’s landscape character and climate resilience.

Improved access and connections from surrounding neighbourhoods to the new park are critical. Currently, there are up to 8 lanes of traffic across South Dowling Street and the Eastern Distributor that separate the large residential communities to the west and Moore Park. 

A new active transport bridge is needed near the south-east corner of Moore Park as well as other options for safe connections from Green Square via Dacey Avenue and South Dowling Street. An additional bridge would provide access for dense areas of Waterloo and Zetland. Existing bridges link the dense neighbourhoods of Surry Hills and Redfern to Moore Park. A new regional bike route along Dacey Avenue would also make it easier and safer for more people to walk, ride and enjoy the park.

Active transport should be prioritised over private vehicle access, which is why I don’t support adding more car parking, especially with the new 1,500-space Venues NSW car park currently under construction nearby. If parking must be provided, it should focus on essential access only for people with disabilities or families with prams so the majority of the site can be parkland for everyone to enjoy.

The reconfigured 9-hole course, supported by safe buffers to surrounding parkland, provides a practical way to manage shared use of the site. The addition of mini golf and an expanded driving range supports more casual and family-friendly participation and increases income for Greater Sydney Parklands.

I welcome the NSW Government's $50 million commitment to establish the 20-hectare park and reconfigured golf course at Moore Park South over the next 3 years, after the current operating agreement expires in mid-2026. However, long-term funding is also essential to ensure Greater Sydney Parklands can respond to community feedback, maintain the park over time, and fully realise its potential.

Moore Park South is a major opportunity to create significant new parkland for Sydney’s growing population. The City of Sydney stands ready to work with Greater Sydney Parklands to ensure its timely activation and long-term success in meeting community needs.

the Rt HOn CLOVER MOORE AO

Lord Mayor of Sydney

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Maxwell –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         on 28 October 2025, the NSW Government released a draft Moore Park South Establishment Plan showing how it intends to transform 20-hectares of Moore Park Golf Course into new parkland alongside a 9-hole golf course, expanded driving range and 18-short form (mini) golf course;

(ii)        the NSW Government has committed $50 million to establish the 20-hectare park and reconfigured golf course at Moore Park South over the next 3 years, after the current operating agreement expires in mid-2026;

(iii)      the Establishment Plan is currently on public exhibition until 24 November 2025, to inform planning and shape the future of new park; and

(iv)      the City of Sydney website provides information about how people can have their say and make a submission to Greater Sydney Parklands about the Moore Park South Establishment Plan;

(B)      Council endorse the City of Sydney's submission on the draft Moore Park South Establishment Plan as shown at Attachment a to the subject Minute, which notes the many positive aspects of Greater Sydney Parklands' Plan as well as matters we want them to reconsider and improve;

(C)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to lodge the Council-endorsed submission with the Greater Sydney Parklands by the above deadline; and

(D)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to the NSW Premier and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces with a copy of the subject Minute and the City's submission and offering for the City of Sydney to work with Greater Sydney Parklands to ensure Moore Park South is appropriately activated and well used by the community, after the current operating agreement expires in mid-2026.

The Minute was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (8)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Arkins, Ellsmore, Kok, Maxwell, Miller, Thompson and Worling

Noes (2)          Councillors Gannon and Weldon.

Minute carried.

S051491