February 2021

At the Council meeting held on 1 February 2021, Council considered recommendations regarding the facility formerly known as the Mt Barker regional sports hub.

Council resolved to support the recommendation to name the facility Summit Sport and Recreation Park.  

Look out for information on the Summit Sport and Recreation Park as the facility is activated and open to the public  https://www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/discover/recreation/summit-sport-and-recreation-park.

Thank you for your interest in this exciting stage of bringing the Summit Sport and Recreation Park to life!

April 2020

We now have a project photo gallery. Have a look at the latest progress photos on the gallery tab.

December 2019

16 December 2019 - The Buildings Construction Contract was considered at the Special Council Meeting held on 16 December 2019 following the recent building design review process led by Marc Voortman, General Manager, Planning and Development and John Ashcroft, BeyondInk.

To seek:

• Authorisation of the amended Mount Barker regional sports hub stage 1 scope and budget to include portion 2, buildings; and
• The award of contract 2018.006, Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Construction, Separable Portion 2 (buildings).

Recent report(s) to council on the project can be found on the Council meetings page.

5 December 2019 - Earthworks have begun on the regional sports hub to remove the topsoil preparing the area for the oval and soccer field. This is expected to continue until the Christmas break after which, the topsoil will be loaded into trucks and moved to various sites in early 2020.

The images show the process of removing the top soil with a Land Plane and Water Cart.

Works to begin on multi-million dollar regional sports hub

Preparations for stage 1 of the regional sports hub on the Council land at Springs Road, have continued with handover of the site to Sarah Constructions.

Sarah Constructions will have responsibility for the site until practical completion scheduled to occur in late 2020. As the site will be under-construction, they will install perimeter fencing and control all access to the site.

Works will include traffic management on Springs Road during the construction of the regional sports hub entrance and associated turning lanes. Activity on and around the site  will also include a large number of truck movements to remove surplus spoil site which may result in traffic delays on Springs Road for periods of time.

Sarah Constructions intended maximum days and hours of work per week are Monday – Saturday, 7am – 5pm.

Stage 1 construction is supported by $14.6 million in grant funding and in-kind support from the Australian Government through the Community Development Grants Programme, Building Better Regions Fund, the South Australian Government, Football Federation South Australia, Australian Football League, South Australian National Football League, Cricket Australia and the South Australian Cricket Association.

Should you have any concerns during construction please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 8391 7200.

Update November 2019

Council made a strategic decision many years ago to purchase the land on the corner of Bald Hills Road and Springs Road to accommodate the planned increase in the district’s population to 60,000 people. Council further made the decision to build a sports facility on the site and invest over $20M into improving community wellbeing. These decisions retain open community space and outweighed other possible alternatives including the land being purchased by developers for further housing estates.

At a Special Council meeting on Monday 14 October Council awarded the construction contract to commence portion 1 of stage 1 of the Regional sports Hub to Sarah Constructions Pty Ltd.

This month, to prepare the land for construction, planned and approved work to remove four significant trees from their current location on the site of the Regional Sports Hub off Springs Road commenced.

Three of the trees were in areas identified for playing areas and infrastructure in the Regional Sports Hub.

The terrain and existing infrastructure, as well as sighting and orientation required for sports fields, restricted the location of the Springs Road entry point to the site which resulted in the loss of the fourth tree.

Endorsed Site Layout + Minor Variations (click for larger image)

Because they were full of natural habitat due to existing hollows, three of the trees have been relocated elsewhere on the site near two of the remaining trees (indicated by the arrows in the Site layout).

As the root systems have not been included in the relocation, these trees will decline and die but the wildlife habitats will be preserved.

In relocating the three trees, the trunks have been buried 3 – 5 metres below the surface of the ground. Most of the weight of the trees is, therefore, underground ensuring that they do not topple in high winds.

One of the trees removed was relatively young and was not bearing numerous existing habitats. The timber from this tree has been cut for landscape logs which will be used at the site.

Hollows will be added to the relocated trees to attract birds and wildlife, including bats, owls, ducks, parrots, pardalotes, nightjars and possums.

The understory at the new location of the trees along with the two existing living gums will be replanted with rare and remnant native vegetation to create a protected biodiversity exclosure.

The land around the new location has suffered from rural decline and the revegetation process will improve the health of the living trees in the vicinity.

Over 200 additional trees will be planted in stage 1 as indicated in the Landscape Diagram.

Council are proactive with tree plantings. In the past 4 years approximately 45,000 locally indigenous trees, shrubs, grasses and ground covers have been planted by Council, with the assistance of community members.

Landscape Diagram (click for larger image)

A rigorous process of investigations and approvals preceded this work:

Process Plan (click for larger image)

In early 2018, an Environmental Impact Study formally identified 7 significant trees and other environmental fauna and flora on the site.

A Cultural Heritage Study was completed at the same time and, in consultation with traditional owners, confirmed that the 7 trees had ‘no signs of cultural modification’.

In February 2018, Oxigen was appointed as the design consultant for the regional sports hub (RSH) project. They were selected for their significant experience in designing sports facilities including Adelaide Oval.

A Community Reference Group was then established to provide ideas on how the site could be developed to benefit the community. The group represented a small composition of people from areas of the local community including district sporting community (not a particular sport), education providers, business sector, community groups, allied health service providers and general community representatives.

The Community Reference Group met on four occasions (between 21 February and 23 May 2018) to advise the design team and Council on how the broader community is likely to use the site. The final meeting of the group included discussion around the removal of the trees.

In March 2018, a community information session was advertised and held at the Mount Barker Civic Centre allowing the general public to drop in and understand more about the project including removal of the trees.

On 3 April 2018, a public report was presented to Council which included a recommendation to remove the trees subject to Native Vegetation Council approval and Development Approval. The recommendation was endorsed.

Council Meeting Agenda - 3 April 2018
Council Meeting Minutes - 3 April 2018

Detailed design work which indicated the significant trees to retained and removed and preparation of development application commenced following the Council decision of 3 April 2018.

A site layout plan showing the location of the seven significant trees and those that could not be saved was developed by Oxigen.

On 11 April 2018, the Courier published an article on the Regional Sports Hub project with the site layout plan shown.

At this time, Council also published a project update to all ratepayers in its District Matters - Autumn edition - with site layout plan shown.

In June 2018, the project web page was updated with the new site layout plan and another Council report provided a project update advising that DA had been delayed. The report attachment showed a fourth tree (at entrance) now was to be removed (subject to approvals) (See item 14.1 (page 291)

Council Meeting Agenda - 4 June 2018
Council Meeting Minutes - 4 June 2018

On 22 June 2018, FAQs on public website were updated to include information on significant trees:

Question. Significant Trees. Are there any significant trees on the site that will be removed?

Answer. The site does have tree constraints and the Council has worked to retain as many trees as possible. The masterplan requires the removal of 4 significant trees (of 7) (native vegetation clearance has been obtained). It is anticipated that hundreds of new trees will be planted on the site

In July 2018, the DA was lodged which included details of the trees to be removed and the EIS & Heritage Study and Category 3 full public notification occurred in August.

In August 2018, a further public Council report highlighted that the DA was in progress and that approval was being sought for removal of 4 significant trees.

Council Meeting Agenda - 6 August 2018
Council Meeting Minutes - 6 August 2018

On 30 Aug 2018, the Minister for Planning approved the site Master Plan as it met the Land Management Agreement requirement to develop this site for community use.

On 19 Sep 2018, the Council Assessment Panel gave planning consent approval for removal of trees subject to Native Vegetation Clearance Approval. An extract from this meeting is shown below:

Given the nature of the proposal a small number of remnant vegetation and regulated trees are required to be removed from the subject land.  It is inevitable that to accommodate this regional scale facility some trees are required to be removed.

Council’s Urban Forest Officer and the Open Space Department have been involved in discussions with the project team throughout the evolution of the application and a number of development incarnations have been contemplated in an attempt to retain the trees however design parameters did not allow this to occur.

While not typically desirable the proposed removal of four (4) Regulated trees is acceptable in the context of the relevant provisions of the Development Plan in that no reasonable alternative development options and design solutions are considered possible to prevent substantial tree-damaging activity occurring. This justification is consistent with the provisions of the Development Plan in particular Regulated Tree PDC 2.

It is noted Council understands its obligations under the Native Vegetation Act regarding native vegetation clearance permits.  A Native Vegetation Clearance Report has been provided by the applicant (Appendix L) and this proposes payment into the Native Vegetation Fund as a means to offset the removal of the four Regulated remnant trees.

It is understood that the trees to be removed will remain onsite as landscape and habit features within the landscaping and wetland area.  This is considered to be an acceptable outcome in the circumstances.

On 16 Oct 2018, Council were advised of Native Vegetation Clearance approval

On 7 May 2019, planning approval was granted.

Business case and project stages

The Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub business case as at 5 December 2017 is shown here:

Regional Sports Hub - Business Case as at 5 December 2017

Regional Sports Hub - Business Case Addendum 01

Regional Sports Hub - Business Case Addendum 02

The Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub Project is currently at detailed design stage and is expected to be constructed over at least 3 stages.Stage 1 will include:

• Site excavation, storm water drainage, sewage and services (water, power, telecommunications)
• Initial lighting
• Initial landscaping
• 1 of 2 AFL / Cricket premier standard oval/pitch
• 2 of 4 soccer pitches (1 premier standard)
• Female and male change rooms, public toilets, umpire and medical rooms, equipment storage
• Entrance, roadway and parking

Council’s target timings for stage 1 are as follows:

• 2019/20 – commence construction
• 2020/21 – open to the public

The project is currently in the tendering for construction process.  Following an open expression of interest process last year, Council issued the construction select tender at the end of May 2019.

Council agenda items

Recent report(s) to council on the project can be found on the Council meetings page.

Special Council Meeting Agenda - 14 October 2019
Special Council Meeting Minutes - 14 October 2019

3.1 Regional Sports Hub – Capital Funding Deed between Council and FFSA

• To seek authority to execute the Capital Funding Deed for the Mount Barker regional sports hub between Council and the Football Federation SA Incorporated.

3.2 Award of Contracts for Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Construction – Separable Portion 1 (Bulk Earthworks & Civil Infrastructure)

To seek:

• Endorsement of the Mount Barker regional sports hub stage 1 additional Federal Government $2 million grant funding; scope and budget (less portion 2, buildings); and Business Case Addendum 02;
• Award of contract 2018.006, Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Construction, Separable Portion 1 (bulk earthworks & civil infrastructure) and the award of a contract for the sports lighting; and
• Authority to (a) extend the scope and budget for stage 1 to include an additional 55 car park spaces on the eastern side of the premier oval and (b) enter into the required construction contracts.

Background

In 2009, with the assistance of a State Government Grant, Mount Barker District Council purchased 38HA of land bordered by Bald Hills and Springs Roads.  Over the following years, various demand and feasibility studies as well as high level concepts were developed, further refining the sports to be located at this site. This work confirmed that the Council Land should be developed for regional level sporting facilities and that the south-eastern half of the site (approximately 20HA) is the most suitable location for this to occur.

In 2014, the Council, with the assistance of the Office of Recreation and Sport commenced the production of the Detailed Concept Designs for the Mount Barker Regional Sports Facility.

The full development of the facility is not likely to occur for over 10 years, with initial stages to be constructed as dictated by funding availability and facility demand. The reasons for this approach include:

• There are multiple sites within the township that can accommodate the short term demand for additional playing fields for significantly less cost.
• The cost to develop a regional sporting facility will require significant external funding and stakeholder commitment, which can take a significant period of time to secure and co-ordinate.
• This facility is responding to the demand of an expanding population and therefore the demand for facilities will come as the population grows over the next 25 years.

Design

Concept plans were prepared in 2015 and 2017.  In February 2018 Council engaged Oxigen Pty Ltd to finalise the site layout and prepare detailed design and documentation for stage 1 of the project. Following extensive stakeholder input, including feedback from the Community Information Session on 7 March 2018, a recommended site layout was presented to Council at the 3 April 2018 meeting. Council unanimously endorsed the site layout. Stage 1 is still to be resolved subject to project funding and Council endorsement (date to be advised).

The ENDORSED site layout with minor variations and PROPOSED DRAFT stage 1 as at 31 May 2018 (subject to project funding and budget [future Council decision] and development approval) are shown here:

Endorsed Site Layout and Proposed Draft stage 1 as at 31 May 2018(1266 kb)

The development application was lodged on the 7 June 2018.

Planning consent granted - 19 September 2018.

Planning Approval Stage 1 granted 3 May 2019.

An overview of the proposed stage 1 design drawings, subject to funding and approvals, is shown here:

Regional Sports Hub Summary Design Package

Funding the project

The preliminary cost estimate for the entire master plan design is in the order of $38m.  As the project progresses to detailed site assessment and design and through value management processes a further project cost estimate will be prepared enabling the project budget to be finalised.

Stage 1 project funding currently committed includes:

• Australian Government Funding $8.15 million
• South Australian Government – soccer facilities $2.5 million (via SA Football Federation)
• South Australian Government – female change room facilities $0.475 million
• South Australian Government - premier oval $0.8 million
• Australian Football League / South Australian National Football league - $0.25 million

Negotiations are ongoing with funding partners including sporting peak bodies.

Further project funding will continue to be pursued for stage 1 (such as premier oval sports lighting) and related elements (such as the Laratinga Trail connection to the Regional Sports Hub site).

Council’s Community Connections team plans to promote a community fundraising program during construction which will provide the opportunity for business and individuals to have a personal connection with the new regional facilities.

As required by section 48 of the South Australian Local Government Act 1999, Council received a prudential report on the stage 1 project at the 6 May 2019 Council Meeting as recommended by the Risk and Audit Committee at the 18 April 2019 meeting:

Regional Sports Hub - Prudential Report(1048 kb)

Project point of contact

If you have any queries regarding this project, please email the Project Leader Regional Hub Delivery at  council@mountbarker.sa.gov.au or on 08 8391 7200.

Keep up-to-date and subscribe to the mailing List

Stay in touch with the project by joining our mailing list to receive notification of project updates.

This mailing list is now closed.

Managing the facility

Council will own and operate the new regional sporting facilities on behalf of the community.

Board

The regional sports hub will be governed by a board appointed by Council (under section 41 of the Local Government Act 1999) with four independent members and one Council Member.  The Board is accountable to Council and its role and objective is to:

• ensure that the facility is promoted and that there is maximum participation while seeking to minimise the cost;
• set the strategic direction and govern the operational management;
• be responsible for the strategic, financial and governance aspects;
• establish and manage lease/licence agreements with users;
• consider commercial arrangements;
• direct all activity on the site; and
• provide advice to Council on matters referred to the Board by Council.

Board Terms of Reference

Board members were appointed in confidence at the 20 January 2020 Council meeting. Board members have accepted their appointments and preparation for Board induction and the inaugural meeting are in progress. The Board members are:

• Mr Iain Evans, Chairperson (3 year term)
• Mr Paul Brown (3 year term)
• Mr Peter Scargill (2 year term)
• Ms Jane Russo (2 year term)
• Cr Samantha Jones (appointed for the remainder of Council term [Nov 2022])

Sub-committee

The Council requires the RSH Board to establish a sub-committee to facilitate representation and input to the operations of the facility by regular users. The Sub-committee is the communication mechanism for RSH users to the Board and will advise on operational matters e.g. bookings, events, requests, complaints; and effectiveness of the management of the facility.

Sub-committee Terms of Reference

The following documents have been endorsed by Council to set the operating and governing framework and the business strategy.  Further details on how the facilities will be operated will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders and at the direction of the independent board (subject to Council approval and appointment - pending).

Business Strategy and Governance Model Summary - 1 April 2019(269 kb)

Operating and Governance Model - 1 April 2019(4259 kb)

Buisness Strategy - 1 April 2019(2508 kb)

Project Partners Group

A Project Partners Group has been established to provide funding partners (State and Local Government and Peak Sporting Bodies [excluding Federal Government])  input to Council on Stage 1 of the Regional Sports Hub including: site layout; design, procurement and construction/development; and governance model and management arrangements.

RSH Project Partners Group Terms of Reference(75 kb)

Informal Gathering 14 December 4.30 - 6.00pm - Regional Sports Hub Site Visit.

The purpose of this informal gathering is to enable the Council Members and Regional Sports Hub Board Members to tour the regional sports hub.

As the regional sports hub is still a construction site, safety remains paramount and the numbers who can attend are very restricted.

As a consequence there is no public access to this site visit.

Public access to the regional sports hub will be available once construction of all elements of the project are completed. That is currently scheduled to be late January 2021.

Community Reference Group

A Community Reference Group has been established to provide ideas on how the Hub might be used for greater community use. The group represents a small composition of people from areas of the local community including district sporting community (not a particular sport), education providers, business sector, community groups, allied health service providers and general community representatives.

Regional Sports Hub Terms of Reference

The Community Reference Group have met on four occasions (between 21 February and 23 May 2018) to advise the design team and Council on how the broader community is likely to use the site which has provided very helpful information for the design team.

Pictured left-right: Brianna McAvaney, Michael Bails, Mayor Ann Ferguson, Alan Harvey, Sean Hames, Paul Rees, Dianne van Eck, Sam Woodman, Anita Kerr, Gary Carlson and Jock Dean (Emma Bacskai absent from photo)

Council Agenda Items

Recent report(s) to council on the project can be found on the Council meetings page.

2 March 2020

13.2 Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Information Report

• To provide a progress report on the regional sports hub stage 1 project construction and preparation for operations.

16 December 2019

3.2 Award of Contract for Regional sports hub Stage 1 Construction - Separable Portion 2 (Buildings)

• To seek authorisation of the amended Mount Barker regional sports hub stage 1 scope and budget to include portion 2, buildings and the award of contract 2018.006.

4 November 2019

13.3 Regional Sports Hub Precinct Expression of Interest

• To update members on the process for considering an Expression of Interest process(es) for the regional hub.

14 October 2019

3.1 Regional Sports Hub - Capital Funding Deed Between Council and FFSA

• To seek authority to execute the Capital Funding Deed for the Mount Barker regional sports hub between Council and the Football Federation SA Incorporated.

2 September 2019

12.7 Regional Sports Hub Board and Sub-Committee Terms of Reference and Independent Board Members Nomination Panel

• To seek approval of the Terms of Reference for the regional Sports Hub Board and Sub Committee.
• To Appoint Members to the Independent Board Members Nomination Panel.

5 August 2019

13.1 Regional Sports hub project partners group annual review

• To present to Council the regional sports hub Project Partners Group (PPG) annual review on its achievements and effectiveness against the terms of reference.

6 May 2019

11.2.2 Audit and Risk Committee – Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub – Stage 1 Project

• Prudential report recommendations to Council.

12.1 Mount Barker Regional Sport Hub – Term Sheet with Football Federation of South Australia (see addendum paper issued separately).

• To progress the Council / FFSA Agreement negotiations.

12.2  Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub Addendum to Business Case

• To present and seek Council adoption of the Mount Barker regional sports hub addendum 01 as at 17 January 2019 to the Business Case (as at 5 December 2017)

12.3  Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Construction Tendering and Cost Management Report

• To seek Council endorsement of the Mount Barker regional sports hub stage 1 project construction tendering processes, procurement strategy, cost and value management strategies and next steps as detailed in this report.

1 April 2019

To seek Council endorsement of the Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub operating and governance model (part 1) (attachments 1 and 2) and the business strategy (part 2) (attachment 3) to enable preparation for operations to proceed.

5 November 2018

14.2. Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Project Update

• To provide an update on the Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 project.

6 August 2018 

12.2. Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Project Update – BBRF Funding

• To provide an update on the Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 project, including funding and cost/scope considerations, and seek delegation to the CEO to execute the Building Better Regions Fund deed.

4 June 2018

14.1 Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Project Update

• To provide an update on the Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 project.

3 April 2018

12.1 Regional Sports Hub - Stage 1 Project - Site Layout - page 14

• To present the recommended site layout to Council for approval to enable design documentation and development application to proceed.

5 March 2018

12.3. Regional Sports Hub- Project Partners Group Terms of Reference- page 165

• To seek Council’s endorsement for the establishment of a Regional Sports Hub Project Partners Group.

5 February 2018

12.4. Regional Sports Hub Detailed Design Tender Award Recommendation - page 62

• To gain Council approval to award tender 2017.036, Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Detailed Design.

15 January 2018

12.3. Regional Sports Hub Business Case - page 88

• To formally present the Regional Sports Hub Business Case version 1.0 (attachment 1) to the Council and provide a Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Project Presentation (attachment 2).

12.4. Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Project Community Reference Group - page 175

• To seek Council’s endorsement for the establishment of a Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 project Community Reference Group.

4 December 2017

12.2. Regional Sports Hub Grant Funding Authorisations - page 88

• For Council to authorise the CEO to enter into grant funding deeds related to the Regional Sports Hub Stage 1 Project.

6 November 2017

14.1. Regional Sports Hub Update - page 283

• To provide an update on the Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub project.

7 August 2017

13.5 Regional Sports Hub Update - page 128