LIV Golf North Adelaide Project in Adelaide’s Park Lands

A proposed $45 million Greg Norman-designed golf course in North Adelaide’s Park Lands, including areas known as Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1) containing River Red Gums estimated at 150–300 years old, has been advanced as a flagship tourism and sporting infrastructure project. The South Australian Government promoted the development as a means of attracting international LIV Golf tournaments backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to Adelaide’s National Heritage-listed Park Lands.

Project Overview

This section summarises key factual details about the LIV Golf North Adelaide project proposal in Adelaide’s Park Lands.

Project cost	$45 million
Designer	Greg Norman
Location	North Adelaide, within Adelaide Park Lands (National Heritage-listed), including areas known as Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1)
Trees to be removed	585 trees, including River Red Gums identified as heritage trees by community advocates
Funding source	Proposed backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to support LIV Golf events
Funding status	PIF funding reported withdrawn in April 2026
Project status	Tree felling commenced at Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1); overall project status described as uncertain following withdrawal of PIF funding

Timeline of Key Events

The following chronology outlines key publicly reported milestones in the LIV Golf North Adelaide project affecting Adelaide’s Park Lands and Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1).

Project announcement – The South Australian Government announced plans for a new LIV Golf-aligned course in North Adelaide’s Park Lands as part of a broader tourism and major events strategy.
Design commissioned – Golf course designer Greg Norman was commissioned to prepare a layout for a new or expanded course to accommodate LIV Golf events.
Tree removal figure disclosed – Planning documentation and public materials identified 585 trees proposed for removal, including mature River Red Gums in Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1).
Tree felling commenced – Felling operations began at Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1), affecting areas containing River Red Gums and other vegetation within the Adelaide Park Lands.
Community protests and legal challenges – Community groups, environmental organisations and local residents mounted protests, petition campaigns and legal challenges, citing concerns about heritage trees, park integrity and public access.
PIF funding withdrawn – April 2026 – Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), identified as a financial backer for LIV Golf events associated with the project, withdrew funding in April 2026, according to statements reported by project stakeholders and media.
Current status – Following the withdrawal of PIF funding, the future of the LIV Golf North Adelaide project has been publicly described as uncertain, while community advocacy regarding the protection of River Red Gums and Adelaide Park Lands continues.

Note on claims: The following sections summarise claims made by project proponents and by opponents/community groups. They are presented as reported positions and should not be read as independent findings or endorsements.

Claimed Benefits

The following points summarise claims attributed to the South Australian Government, project proponents and supporters of the LIV Golf North Adelaide proposal.

A major tourism drawcard intended to bring international LIV Golf events to Adelaide and position the city as a recurring host for global tournaments.
Projected increases in economic activity, event-related spending and visitor nights associated with LIV Golf and associated tourism.
Development of a world-class golf facility on a prominent Adelaide Park Lands site, designed to meet international broadcast and tournament requirements.
Creation of construction-phase jobs and ongoing employment opportunities in course operations, hospitality, events and maintenance.
Enhanced international profile and prestige for South Australia through association with LIV Golf and the wider LIV tour calendar.
Upgraded public amenity, landscaping and supporting infrastructure in and around the course footprint after completion of works, as described by project proponents.

Claimed Negatives

The following points summarise concerns reported by opponents of the project, including community groups and environmental advocates.

Removal of 585 trees from National Heritage-listed Adelaide Park Lands, including River Red Gums in Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1) described by campaigners as 150–300-year-old heritage trees.
Concerns about irreversible loss of mature urban tree canopy and associated habitat within a long-established green corridor.
Objections to what opponents describe as effective privatisation or restricted use of public open space for elite sporting events and ticketed activities.
Concerns that general public access to parts of the Park Lands would be restricted or excluded during LIV Golf tournaments and associated event operations.
Environmental impact concerns, including effects on urban biodiversity, bird life and understorey habitat linked to existing River Red Gums and surrounding vegetation.
Allegations by community groups of inadequate or insufficient community consultation regarding the scale and design of the golf course expansion.
Reports that tree felling at Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1) commenced before all legal proceedings and community challenges had concluded.
Concerns raised about the role of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and what critics describe as sportswashing through association with LIV Golf.
Fears of a lasting reduction in publicly accessible green space and amenity within a National Heritage-listed precinct of the Adelaide Park Lands.

Current Status

As of April 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) had withdrawn financial backing linked to LIV Golf events associated with the North Adelaide project. Prior to the withdrawal, tree felling had commenced at Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1), affecting vegetation within the Adelaide Park Lands. Following the loss of PIF funding, public statements from various parties have described the future of the LIV Golf North Adelaide proposal as uncertain.

Community advocacy and legal action concerning the protection of River Red Gums, the heritage character of Adelaide Park Lands and the use of public open space continue, with opponents seeking to limit or reverse elements of the golf course expansion affecting Possum Park (Pirltawardli Park 1) and surrounding areas.