Number of trees to be removed from North Adelaide Golf Course 'not certain', court hears
Government lawyers have contradicted South Australia's Premier over the number of trees to be cut down in the North Adelaide Gold Course redevelopment.
On the third day of trial, government lawyers contradicted South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, telling the Federal Court the precise number of trees to be removed from the North Adelaide Golf Course is still unknown. The Premier had previously released the figure of 585 trees publicly before the state election. Crown lawyers maintain the exact number remains uncertain as the plans are an evolving process.
The redevelopment, initially proposed to support the LIV Golf tournament, has been criticized by two private citizens who allege the project violates laws protecting the national heritage-listed parklands. Both sides agree that 400 trees have already been cut down, but the appellants argue the government plans to ultimately remove up to 585 trees.
The government asserts all plans were publicly disclosed prior to the election, including the tree removal number. The role of LIV Golf in the redevelopment is under scrutiny, with Justice Natalie Charlesworth questioning whether the project constitutes commercial use of public parklands. The trial is expected to continue until Friday, while protesters have gathered in Adelaide's parliament to present a petition signed by over 43,000 individuals opposing the development.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
