Protected Heritage Area Established at North Adelaide Golf Course

Greg Norman, Peter Malinauskas and Scott O’Neill following their announcement that Adelaide will remain the exclusive home of LIV Golf Australia.

A significant portion of the North Adelaide Golf Course will be established as a protected Aboriginal heritage area, a move that places strict limitations on a planned multi-million dollar redevelopment intended to host the LIV Golf tournament.

On Friday, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher granted conditional authorisations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA). Crucially, a condition mandates the permanent establishment of a protected area over the site’s par three course.

Strict Limitations on Development

The establishment of the protected zone effectively halts future development in that specific area. According to a state government spokesperson, work within the protected area, which runs “from the River Torrens up to the road,” will be limited to “things such as lawn resurfacing, maintenance and services.”

Minister Maher confirmed this section of the course would not allow “further development.” He explained that the ‘protected area’ recognizes the site’s “very significant cultural heritage values” spanning both the pre-European contact era and the early days of colonisation, where it housed a Kaurna language school and mission established in 1839.

For the rest of the site—the north and south 18-hole courses—redevelopment will be permitted, but under 31 stringent conditions aimed at protecting Aboriginal heritage.

Conditions to Ensure Respectful Management

The strict conditions imposed on the project applicant are intended to manage Aboriginal heritage “as respectfully as possible” during works. Key conditions include:

• Consultation: Requiring the applicant to consult with the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC) and key Kaurna traditional owners to embed Kaurna values, stories, art, language and history into the project’s design and delivery.
• Protection: Mandating the avoidance and in situ protection of any discovered Aboriginal remains, remnants, and heritage.

The decision followed an extensive period of wider community consultation with Kaurna elders, traditional owners, and community members. The course is situated adjacent to the Karrawirra Pari (River Torrens), a highly significant cultural site for the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains.

LIV Golf Tournament Timeline Unclear

The state government is pushing to have the North Adelaide course, which is planned for an approximately $50 million Greg Norman-designed upgrade, ready to host the international LIV Golf tournament in 2028. Adelaide is contracted to host the tournament until 2031, with venues, Grange and Kooyonga golf clubs hosting in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

The redevelopment plans involve “ground disturbing works” to create a world-class course, amenities, a new driving range, and mini-golf facilities, leading to a recognized “potential for sub-surface Aboriginal heritage to be discovered” during construction. Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act, it is an offense to disturb heritage without the Minister’s authorisation.

When questioned about whether the new conditions could impact the 2028 deadline, Minister Maher was clear that the Aboriginal Heritage Act process is “not concerned with the delivery of a project.” He stated that the conditions are strictly about ensuring “Aboriginal heritage is treated” and respected, which the project design will now have to incorporate.