NSW Premier Chris Minns has walked back a declaration that he had not spoken to Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore ahead of the government's decision to halve the Moore Park Golf Course.
Speaking to 2GB's Ben Fordham, Minns this morning said he had not spoken to Moore directly before the decision, which was revealed yesterday.
But afterwards he contacted Fordham to amend that, saying he had met with the Lord Mayor some months prior to the decision.
Moore has been a long-time advocate for reclaiming land from the golf course.
Minns said the decision to convert the golf course into a public park was the right one for the city and for the densely-populated Moore Park Precinct.
To make room for more green space, the golf course will be cut from 18 holes to nine.
Minns conceded the decision would not be universally popular.
"If I was a member there, of course I'd be upset," he said.
"Putting these parks together does make them a magnet for families across Sydney."
He said the decision was motivated by the success of Barangaroo as a family destination for people right across Sydney.
"It's a way to spend time together without spending any money," he said.
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But, he said, the government had no further plans to take over crown land golf courses.
"The specifics of this golf course are unique to that area," he said.
He said the club was given an opportunity to put forward its case in a meeting with the Planning Minister, and that it had been notified ahead of time about the decision.
However, club president John Janik said they had been "blindsided" by the reveal.
