Locals fight for trees against Royal Sydney Golf Club overhaul plan

POSTED ON August 31, 2020 @ 6:56 pm

A locals campaign to save 569 trees has pitted plans to restore Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Of the 569 trees slated for the axe to widen fairways by 64 per cent and improve bunkers, three needed to be removed because they were in poor health or a risk to golfers or the public

Victoria’s Royal Botanic Garden’s director Tim Entwisle was also among 58 people who have lodged submissions with Woollahra Council supporting the $17 million redevelopment of the championship golf course.

298 submission

Woollahra Council is waiting on more information from the club about the trees before it makes a decision. It has received 298 submissions against the development.

Of 58 submissions in support, 26 were members of the club including Mr McGeoch. Another 13 were golf industry professionals, including the Australian PGA, which said the development would attract new golfers and retain members, and create an international standard course.

The club’s plan is to create a links-style course, typified by fewer trees. It plans to restore the grounds to their “original coastal heathland character” by replacing the trees – including paperbark, swamp she-oak, tea tree, fig, hoop pines and banksia – with 700 others, including angophora and other banksias.

The club says it will increase biodiversity by planting an additional 100 species of shrubs, low profile plants and native grasses, sedges and rushes.

Source: smh