New tennis courts and toxic lake removal now part of Kensington Gardens Reserve’s grand plan

A toxic artificial lake will make way for wetlands and a series of tennis courts under a council masterplan to finally fix a troubled reserve.

• Masterplan finally approved by Burnside Council
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• Tenant slams reserve plan as “rubbish”

Eight new Australian-standard tennis courts and the removal of an artificial lake with “elevated levels of pollutants” have been added to Burnside Council’s grand plans for an upgrade of Kensington Gardens Reserve.

Mayor Anne Monceaux said plans for the redevelopment had reached a “milestone moment”, with the Federal Government last week pledging $3 million for the courts and the pond.

Those works are expected to begin within a year and take two years to complete.

Mrs Monceaux said an “unsafe artificial lake” — which was constructed in 1970 — would be replaced with wetlands to treat urban water pollution entering Stonyfell Creek.

A council spokeswoman said it had been forced to fence off the lake due to public safety concerns with residents slipping into the water, but it was “detracting from the amenity” of the waterway.

An artist’s impression of a proposed wetland at Kensington Gardens Reserve. Source: Burnside Council

Water quality in the lake is also “poor” due to contaminants from urban stormwater catchments and “fouling by resident birdlife”

“The water within the lake contains elevated levels of pollutants such as nutrients, heavy metals, hydrocarbons and bacteria,” the spokeswoman said.

The council currently drains the lake every three to five years, at a cost of up to $80,000 a time.

Eight courts — with lighting — will also be installed for the East Torrens Kensington Gardens Tennis Club.

Last week, retiring Sturt federal Liberal MP Christopher Pyne said the upgraded reserve would be an important asset for the local community.

The upgrade of the reserve has been a thorn in Burnside Council’s side for years.

Its initial plan, unveiled in 2016 was scrapped after a shared hub for the reserve’s five residents sporting club was widely criticised.

A second plan, produced in 2017, was also dumped, after it showed a wetlands replacing the tennis courts and clubroom — forcing the club to move from its home of almost 50 years.

A final masterplan is yet to be presented to the council and no budget has been set.