Goodwood Football Club wins court case to use oval lights more often

A local football club has won a legal battle to allow it to use lights at Goodwood Oval more often, calling it a “victory for common sense”.

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Goodwood Saints Football Club has won a legal battle to allow it to use lights at Goodwood Oval more often.

The club had been in dispute with a small, yet vocal, group of residents over its plans to increase the use of the oval lights for training and women’s football.

Unley Council had approved the additional hours in May, but residents lodged an appeal with the Environment, Resources and Development Court.

The club and the residents failed to reach a compromise during pre-trial conferences and, last month, the court dismissed the residents’ appeal.

The club will now be able to use the lights for junior matches on seven Friday nights until 9pm, and for five Saturday night home games for its C7 disabilities team.

The club’s senior men’s team will also be able to train on three Wednesday nights this year.

Club spokeswoman Amanda Blair said it was a “victory for common sense”.

Goodwood Saints Football Club president Craig Scott before the Goodwood Oval lights saga was resolved. Picture: James Elsby

President Craig Scott was thrilled his junior footballers would be able to train under lights. “Girls football is booming and we are now on an even playing field with all other football clubs,” Mr Scott said.

“As a community club, we thank the many local residents who have supported us in our endeavours to provide a socially responsible, healthy and family friendly environment that provides an opportunity for all members of our community to play and watch football.

“It’s fantastic news for our junior players and the growth of our club.”

He said new training times reflected the growth of the club, with 600 players, 150 Auskick participants and 20 teams.

“Interest is rapidly growing,” he said.

He said the issue had been frustrating, with the light towers in place for 10 years.

Junior player Jess, 14, of Colonel Light Gardens, said training under lights would be ideal for her development.

“The best thing about training under lights is that we get to practice how we play because the majority of our games are at night,” Jess said.

The residents who lodged the appeal could not be contacted for comment.

In one notice of appeal, Millswood resident Michael Polacek said evidence used by Unley Council to approve the extension of the hours the lights could be used was “flawed and inappropriate”. His written appeal claimed extra games and training in the evenings would lead to “huge traffic”, “reduced access to (the) oval”, “increased noise levels” and “more rubbish out the front of my residence”.

It also claimed one of the ground’s light towers shone “unimpeded” into his family room.

New plans to upgrade Goodwood Oval. Picture: Wiltshire + Swain Architects

Meanwhile, Unley Council’s assessment panel is expected to make a decisionon the new $3.6 million grandstand plan for the oval early this year following further public consultation last month.

The grandstand will be 1.5m lower than first planned, and better complement the neighbouring area, under updated plans.

Reducing the width would allow cork trees to the side of the proposed building to be protected.

Other changes to the initial blueprint included new clubrooms that will provide “all-weather spectator viewing”, a meeting room overlooking the oval and “flexible” changerooms.