Media response - land revocation at Port Willunga

Published on 12 May 2025

Response to the Fleurieu Sun.

• The journalist asked if the council had any comments about a proposed land revocation at Mindarie Street, Port Willunga.

Comments attributed to Acting Director Corporate, Jade Bird

In March, Council approved the declaration of seven parcels of council land as being surplus to requirements and potentially suitable for disposal, including a 1,480 sq.m portion of land on Mindarie Street, Port Willunga.

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.

Community engagement on the Mindarie Street proposal closed on 12 May, and this feedback will be provided to Council in a report for them to determine if the revocation and disposal process should proceed any further.

To learn more about the revocation process, visit onkaparingacity.com/yoursay

ENDS