North Adelaide Golf Course taken over for LIV redevelopment
8/29/2025
In short:
The South Australian Government has seized control of North Adelaide Golf Course to redevelop it as a future LIV Golf venue, sparking fierce debate over the loss of public parklands and potential environmental impacts.
What’s next?
Design plans are still to be released. Community groups, environmental advocates, and the Adelaide City Council are preparing submissions ahead of further planning and approval processes, with LIV Golf expected to arrive in 2028.
North Adelaide Golf Course Taken Over for LIV Redevelopment
The North Adelaide Golf Course, one of the city’s most prominent public sporting facilities, is at the centre of a political and environmental storm after the South Australian Parliament passed special legislation transferring its control from the Adelaide City Council to the state government.
The move clears the path for the course to be redeveloped as a LIV Golf venue, part of a long-term agreement to keep the high-profile tournament in Adelaide through 2031. Officials argue the redevelopment will deliver world-class facilities and secure South Australia’s reputation as a global golf destination.
However, the plan has ignited intense community backlash. Critics, including opposition MPs and parkland advocacy groups, warn that the project could see up to 5,400 trees removed—a figure disputed by the government. Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis has publicly staked his job on that number being inaccurate, but concerns remain about the long-term environmental cost and the precedent set for the city’s green spaces.
The Adelaide City Council, which previously managed the course, expressed frustration at being sidelined, calling the intervention a blow to local democracy. Community members argue the decision prioritises international events over residents’ access to public parklands and recreational space.
Despite the controversy, supporters highlight the economic benefits of hosting LIV Golf, which has already drawn record crowds to Adelaide and injected millions into the state economy. They claim a purpose-built course at North Adelaide could elevate South Australia’s profile even further.
As design plans are yet to be unveiled, the future of the parklands remains uncertain. What is clear is that the redevelopment has become one of the most divisive debates in Adelaide—balancing global sporting ambitions against environmental protection and community access.