The Royal Sydney Golf Club

Championship
Course Project

Landscape Rehabilitation and Golf Course Renovation

Commenced in late 2023, the Royal Sydney Golf Club is currently in the process of performing a transformational renovation and landscape rehabilitation project on its 100-year-old Championship Golf Course.

The project will result in a net increase of 1,592 trees on the course, while the landscape understorey will be significantly more biodiverse with the planting of a rich array of 500,000 native plants endemic to the local area, transforming Royal Sydney into one of the most important sanctuaries of native flora and fauna in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

There are very real environmental and community benefits to be gained from this project.

The project will result in a net increase of 1,592 trees on the course. The understorey will be significantly more biodiverse with the planting of a rich array of 500,000 native plants endemic to the Eastern Suburbs, in addition to those that regenerate naturally.
Improved biodiversity, control of aggressive and invasive species, provision of wildlife corridors, restored bushland, contribution to the community’s understanding and valuing of biodiversity and providing habitat for birds, insects and fauna species.
Royal Sydney’s Australian Golf Digest course ranking has declined from 4th to 52nd. By regaining its former status, RSGC can contribute to the community through the attraction of major golf events.
Setting an example for other golf courses, and other open spaces, to develop more environmentally sensitive approaches to landscape development and management.
Currently, there are 30 different species of trees, plants, shrubs and grasses across the course. This will be increased to more than 100 different native species (some rare and endangered), featuring different hues, textures and year-round flowering – which will more than triple the flora biodiversity on the site.
An opportunity, at no cost to the public, to implement approaches to the restoration and maintenance of coastal heathland environments in urban Sydney including seed collection and natural regeneration experiments, partnerships.
A 20% reduction in water use, saving 73 million litres per year (equivalent of over 29 Olympic swimming pools).
A significant reduction in chemicals and fertilizers.

Before and After