by Patrick Maher, Councillor for Central Ward
It's time to debunk some disinformation from the page formerly endorsed by SA Labor. They just can't help themselves.
The "Gotcha" That Isn't
The first post refers to a document from four Council terms ago. No one from that term is a current member.
The document relates to the delivery of the 2012–2016 Strategic Plan, which has since been superseded several times. A strategic plan is a requirement under the Local Government Act and is intended to guide Council action for that term only.
This supposed "gotcha" is about a document that hasn't been relevant for a decade. For the avoidance of doubt, the current year, 2026, is not between 2012 and 2016.
We've got a whole range of policies and plans available for anyone to read. Just remember that some are more recent than others. The fact that we've made them publicly available is the key point.
See here: https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/about-council/plans-reporting/strategies-plans-policies/
It sure would be good if the State Government would make the North Adelaide Public Golf Course plans publicly available too:
Not the Same Project
This Back SA Labor page claims the current development matches the Council's plans. The problem is that these are fundamentally different goals and entirely different pathways to get there.
Council has never advocated for secrecy, awarding a project without tender, or proceeding without public consultation. Even those earlier strategies required a Master Plan and a market demand analysis, both of which depended on public engagement—something this project has never had.
Where's the Evidence?
So, where's the plan for the current project? Hidden by the State Government behind layers of commercial-in-confidence, of course.
Where's the market demand analysis? If one even exists – given the $45 million development was handed to Greg Norman without a public tender – it too has been claimed as commercial-in-confidence.
Commercial viability was publicly linked to the international demand generated by the LIV Golf event. Since then, the Saudi Public Investment Fund has withdrawn funding support. Cue the scramble to secure the Australian Open from 2028, followed by Victoria announcing it will host the tournament in 2029 and 2030. Who even knows what's going on there anymore?
What the Golf Industry Says
This page has also shared another post, pointing to the latest golf participation data and claiming the sport is booming.
See that post here: https://www.facebook.com/BackingSAMajorEvents/posts/pfbid02yYx7iBxfC949whdc3fsNt4TaeXZiXMT7GZfgeyV8FyYhMndygtMadxFgqSjv7Lmyl
Unfortunately, the caption doesn't reflect what the report actually says—or perhaps they didn't bother to read it.
See the report here: https://golf.com.au/news/golf-participation-surges-past-four-million-adults-as-golf-australia-unveils-new
South Australian membership "growth" is -3.9%, and -5.8% in metropolitan Adelaide.
The participation age profile is interesting too. The median age in Adelaide is 32, while the median age of golf club members is between 55 and 65. See pages 8, 26, 30, 36 and 39.
It's an interesting report. Is the demand for this project really there? Not according to the golf industry's own data.
Less Public Access
Not to worry though – the new course will actually have a reduced tee-off capacity!
It loses a further 2% of public tee times for each week an event is held, and that doesn't include additional course closures for event set-up or post-event remediation.
The Bigger Issue
The way I see it, the State is spending $45 million of public money on a project that reduces public access to the golf course, without a public economic analysis, without a public market demand analysis, without a public plan, and without the required heritage, Aboriginal or environmental impact considerations, all under the banner of hosting an event that is now effectively defunct.
Why is the State doing it this way? Who is this for?
It's not even an isolated example. It's part of a worrying pattern in the way this Government is making major development decisions. Wok The Duck, anyone?
The tree removal figures make the easy headlines, but when you step back, they're not the biggest problem.
This is, at its heart, a misuse of governance. The North Adelaide Public Golf Course project is oligarchy in action – at the expense of our public spaces and the democratic ideals that South Australia once pioneered for the nation.
Patrick Maher has lived and worked in Adelaide’s square mile since 2018, giving him a deep understanding of the issues facing the city and its residents. As a current Adelaide City Councillor, he is known for his thoughtful approach to city planning, support for local businesses and culture, and advocacy for the responsible use and protection of the Adelaide Park Lands.
Patrick is a music educator, performer and producer, holding qualifications from the Elder Conservatorium at the University of Adelaide. He holds qualifications in music, government and legal studies, and is undertaking a Juris Doctor at the University of Canberra.
