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Overview

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.

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