South Australia’s City of Port Lincoln Council is inviting community feedback on a proposal to revoke the community land classification of five Council-owned parcels of land.
In a statement, the Council said it understands the level of community concern on the current and future needs in local aged care accommodation, housing and childcare and subsequently undertook a review of its land holdings across the city.
“When considering current use, zoning, level of infrastructure and size, these sites were identified as having the greatest potential to deliver meaningful outcomes for the community,” the Council stated.
The formal consultation period on the proposal is now open and will close at 10am on Thursday, 12 June.
To support community understanding, Council held an Information Day at the weekend, giving nearby residents an opportunity to learn more about the potential of each site, ask questions and discuss the proposal ahead of the formal consultation period.
“This is not a done deal. We’re asking the community to tell us how they value these sites and whether they believe there is potential for them to be used in new ways that better meet the needs of our city. And if not, we want to understand why,” said Mayor, Diana Mislov.
“If you would like to share the history or cultural significance of a site with Council for consideration as part of the process, please include this in your submission online.”
The five sites proposed for revocation are:
- Harbourview Reserve – Highview Drive;
- 10 Oswald Drive;
- Seaview Park – Monalena Street;
- 25 Chapman Street;
- Trigg Street Reserve – Willison Street.
Harbourview Reserve – Highview Drive
Zoned as Suburban Neighbourhood, this largely undeveloped open space features a small playground, BBQ, shade structure, and seating. Council does not intend to further develop the reserve in its current form and is proposing to revoke its community land status to: Seek expressions of interest for the development of a retirement village and/or aged care facility, & retain approximately 1,000m² as public open space, including a shaded playground and BBQ area.
10 Oswald Drive
Council says this under-utilised parcel of land has no community function and is unsuitable for redevelopment as a reserve due to its limited road frontage and terrain. It is being considered for residential development to help address Port Lincoln’s housing shortage, as identified in the Housing Strategy 2024–2029. Revoking the community land classification would allow Council to sell the land through a competitive market process.
Seaview Park – Monalena Street
A low-use open space with an old skate rink and bowl, this site was identified in the Open Space Strategy 2021-2026 for potential disposal, subject to improvements to nearby reserves (e.g. the recent upgrade of Whait Reserve). A not-for-profit organisation has expressed interest in developing approximately 40 affordable and social housing dwellings, comprising 2–3 bedroom residences, should the revocation proceed.
25 Chapman Street
Currently undeveloped and underutilised, this site offers no defined community function. Council currently incurs maintenance costs, including fire prevention and pest control, without broader benefit to the community. It has been identified as potentially surplus to community needs and may be suitable for residential development. Revoking the community land classification would enable the Council to sell the land through a competitive market process.
Trigg Street Reserve (pictured) – Willison Street
Situated next to an early learning centre, this parcel of land functions as overflow parking and has no formal recreational facilities. With a documented shortage of nearly 300 childcare places across the Lower Eyre Peninsula (Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula, 2023), this site may be suitable for development as a new early learning or childcare centre.
If the revocation is approved, Council will initiate an Expression of Interest process to identify potential developers or operators to establish a childcare or early learning facility on the site.
If any of the land is sold, the proceeds would be allocated to Council’s Land and Building Reserve for reinvestment into community infrastructure and assets.
A detailed report on the Proposal for Revocation for Community Land sites is available on Council’s online Engagement Hub, and printed copies will be available at the Council Office and Port Lincoln Library during the consultation period.
For more information and to view the details of the five proposed sites, visit yoursay.portlincoln.sa.gov.au.
