Indigenous elders and native title holders have expressed profound distress as the South Australian government considers disturbing a significant ceremonial and burial site to upgrade a golf course for the Saudi-backed LIV tournament. The proposed expansion of the North Adelaide golf course, aimed at hosting the tournament from 2028, has sparked outrage due to its potential impact on the sacred site.
The state government plans to expand the golf course, despite being informed of a “high probability” of burial sites located just 1.5 meters beneath the grass. Indigenous leaders and academics have alerted the government that the southern section of the course contains a “substantial archaeological record” of Pirltawardli, a ceremonial precinct historically significant to the Kaurna people.
Historical Significance of Pirltawardli
Government documents recognize Pirltawardli as having played a “central role in the history of South Australian race relations.” The site once hosted an Indigenous language school, a colonial store, and the first Christian mission in the state. The potential disturbance of this site has raised alarms among Indigenous communities and historians alike.
Mitzi Nam, chair of the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation, expressed the community’s anxiety, stating, “This is quite distressing. There has been no consultation. We know there’s a need for development, but there should be more compassion about what this land means to us.”
Government Response and Consultation Efforts
While the course upgrade has not been finalized, the government has acknowledged that bones could be disturbed. A report by the Attorney-General’s Department outlines plans to handle human remains that “cannot be avoided,” proposing their removal by an archaeologist.
A government spokesperson stated that there had been consultations with traditional owners and the Indigenous community, including a public meeting. The deadline for submissions was extended to facilitate more feedback, and a report is currently being prepared for a decision.
Voices of the Kaurna People
Lynette Crocker, chair of the Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association, has voiced her discomfort, stating, “It just makes me feel sick.” Crocker highlighted the historical removal of over 1,500 ancestors from burial sites along the River Torrens, emphasizing the community’s ongoing efforts to reinter their ancestors with dignity.
“I have said on numerous occasions to state government, if you don’t do anything else for Kaurna people, return their ancient ones to where they come from. They are spiritually angry with successive governments.”
Susan Dixon, a Kaurna custodian and member of the state’s First Nations voice to parliament, emphasized the deep spiritual and historical connection her people have with Pirltawardli. “We wouldn’t knock down Adelaide’s cathedral. We need to honor this parkland. It should have the same value,” Dixon asserted.
Economic Considerations and Cultural Integrity
The state government has highlighted analysis from consultants Vision Insights, which claims the LIV tournament brought $81 million to the state in 2025, with 86,000 “visitor nights” from tourists. However, this economic benefit is weighed against the cultural and historical significance of Pirltawardli.
Dr. Jenni Caruso, an Eastern Arrente woman and academic at Adelaide University, criticized the proposal, stating, “They should not be doing it in any way, shape or form. It is the foundations of this state that are being disturbed.”
“Once again, we become disposable don’t we? Our history falls into the bucket of disposables as it doesn’t carry a dollar alignment.”
The City of Adelaide’s reconciliation council has also weighed in, urging the state government to preserve the site to demonstrate respect for Kaurna custodianship. In a letter to the state government, they emphasized that any redevelopment must ensure the site is safeguarded, honored, and interpreted in ways that support cultural continuity and broader community understanding.
As the debate continues, the decision on the golf course expansion will likely have lasting implications for both the cultural heritage of the Kaurna people and the economic ambitions of the state. The outcome remains uncertain, but the voices of those advocating for the preservation of Pirltawardli are growing louder.
