Media response - land revocations
Published on 28 April 2025
Response to The Advertiser.
- Was just getting in touch to see if you'd please be able to grab some responses for me regarding council allegedly deeming seven community reserves across the region as "financial assets", and proposing to sell them off for development.
- Why does council wish to revoke the land from being community reserves and sell it for development?
- How do the properties no longer meet "the current or future needs"?
- How exactly will council look to reinvest the proceeds?
- What's your response to the concerns locals have about the abundance of wildlife and native trees in these reserves?
- Which reserves have been earmarked for sale?
- Why does council need to raise revenue?
Comments attributed to Acting Director Corporate Jade Bird
In March, Council approved the declaration of seven parcels of council land (listed below) as being surplus to requirements and potentially suitable for disposal.
This doesn’t mean the seven parcels of land will be sold, but it does kickstart a process to explore the possibility that the land could be sold.
Community feedback is vital to this process, and any concerns raised about specific parcels will be carefully considered. Council will take a balanced approach, weighing the needs of the broader community alongside those of local residents to ensure the best outcomes for all. Concerns raised will be shared with elected members and the local government minister before Council makes final decisions on each parcel of land. All feedback received within the public consultation period will be taken into consideration by Council.
To support the prudent management of community assets, the council regularly reviews its landholdings to ensure they align with the current and future needs of our community. The vacant and undeveloped parcels identified have been carefully assessed as surplus to the community needs, and our approach ensures land with significant community, environmental, or strategic value isn’t considered for revocation and possible disposal.
The parcels of land identified don’t serve a broader community function and aren’t identified in the council’s strategic plans. This doesn’t necessarily mean the land in question isn’t appreciated or used by local residents, which is why we’re so keen to hear from them in our community engagement.
Native trees are protected under the Native Vegetation Act 1991, and planning legislation applies equally to both the council and private developers.
The revocation of community land is a lengthy legislative process involving a number of approval steps. Once the revocation process has been completed, future use of the land will be assessed.
Proceeds from any sales may be reinvested into projects that directly benefit the community, such as new footpaths, reserve upgrades and building renewals. They could also allow us to bring forward projects that are highly valued or sought by the community, and potentially enable more land for homes amid the housing crisis.
To learn more and have your say, visit onkaparingacity.com/yoursay
The land parcels are located at:
- Marie Avenue, Morphett Vale (engagement closed 16 April)
- Selaru Way, Noarlunga Downs (provide feedback by 12 May)
- Thames Drive, Reynella (engagement TBA)
- Hopkins Cout, Woodcroft (engagement closed 16 April)
- Mindarie Street, Port Willunga (provide feedback by 12 May)
- Brodie Road, Huntfield Heights (engagement TBA)
- Canberra Drive, Aberfoyle Park (provide feedback by 12 May)
ENDS