Federal Court dismisses challenge to Adelaide golf course tree removal plan
A Federal Court judge rejected a legal challenge by Edwin Kemp Attrill and Janette Milera against the South Australian government's plan to cut trees for a golf course redevelopment in North Adelaide.
Edwin Kemp Attrill and Kaurna Arabana woman Janette Milera sued the South Australian government in June, claiming the removal of hundreds of trees for the North Adelaide golf-course redevelopment breached federal environmental law and threatened the parklands' national heritage. By the time the suit was filed, 401 trees had already been felled. On Thursday, Federal Court Justice Natalie Charlesworth ruled the project would not impair the site's heritage values, noting that over 70,000 trees would remain.
She also concluded the developers had not required prior approval from the federal environment minister, leading to the dismissal of the case. Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed the ruling, saying it enables the construction of an 18-hole course, driving range and practice areas, and will support tourism, jobs and major events such as the 2028 Australian Open. The court gave the state until October 22 to consider seeking costs from the applicants. The future use of the venue for the bankrupt LIV Golf tournament remains uncertain.
Why it matters
The ruling allows a major public golf project to proceed, affecting Adelaide's parklands, tourism and local employment.
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